The double doors swung open to reveal a study that defied Wudi Egun's expectations in every possible way. He had prepared himself for an austere chamber filled with ancient scrolls and imposing artifacts—the sort of environment that would befit the patriarch of one of the most powerful families in Heavenly Aerial City.
Instead, he found himself stepping into a room that seemed designed by someone with both exquisite taste and a flair for the dramatic. The ceiling soared overhead, painted with scenes of celestial battles that seemed to move subtly when viewed from different angles. Bookshelves lined the walls, interspersed with display cases containing objects that radiated such powerful auras that Wudi could feel them prickling against his skin even from a distance.
But what truly caught him off guard was not the opulent surroundings, but rather the figure seated at the massive desk of polished jade that dominated the center of the room.
It was a child.
Or at least, it appeared to be a child—no more than four feet tall, with round cheeks and large eyes that gave him an appearance of perpetual youth. Yet this "child" wore robes of such fine quality that they made the Li siblings' luxurious attire look like beggar's rags by comparison. Each thread seemed to contain its own miniature universe, with patterns that shifted and changed as if alive.
The diminutive figure was calmly sipping tea from a cup so delicate it appeared to be made from solidified moonlight rather than porcelain.
Wudi Egun glanced back at the Li siblings, expecting some explanation for why they'd been led to a child's playroom instead of the patriarch's study. Finding no answers in their respectful expressions, he shrugged and strolled forward, dropping casually into the chair opposite the small tea-drinker.
"Nice place you've got here, kid," he said, stretching his legs out comfortably. "Is your dad around? The big boss? The man in charge? We've got some business to discuss."
The silence that followed was so profound that Wudi could hear the subtle vibration of the Time-space Sword on his back as it reacted to the sudden spike of tension in the room.
The child-like figure lowered his teacup with deliberate slowness, fixing Wudi with eyes that suddenly seemed ancient and unfathomable.
Undeterred, Wudi gestured impatiently at the teapot. "While we're waiting, how about pouring me a cup? It's thirsty work, you know, getting engaged and meeting the family and all that. Chop chop, little one. And maybe run along and tell the adults we're here?"
Behind him, he heard what sounded suspiciously like someone choking on their own breath. The Li siblings had gone deathly pale, their eyes wide with horror.
"What are you looking at?" Wudi asked the child, who was now regarding him with a furrowed brow. "Never seen a future in-law before? I know, I know, I'm impressive. But the staring is getting a bit much. The tea? Remember? And then go fetch your father. I don't have all day."
"Wudi Egun," Li Yang's voice came out as a strangled whisper. "That is our father."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence.
Wudi's smile froze on his face. "I'm sorry, what was that? I think I misheard you. Sounded like you said this child is your father, which would be ridiculous because that would make him—"
"The Patriarch of the Ancient Li Family," Li Yong confirmed, his voice equally strained.
"Ah." Wudi's mind raced through possible responses, discarding each as more likely to result in his immediate execution than the last. "Well. That's... unexpected."
The child-like patriarch continued to stare at him with an expression that had shifted from mild curiosity to something far more dangerous.
Before Wudi could dig himself any deeper, the study doors opened once more. A woman entered—though "entered" seemed too mundane a word for her arrival. She glided into the room with such grace that she appeared to be floating just above the floor, her movements so fluid they seemed choreographed by nature itself.
She stood at least six feet tall, with a willowy frame draped in robes that complemented rather than competed with the patriarch's attire. Her face was a study in perfect symmetry, with high cheekbones, full lips, and eyes that held both wisdom and mischief in equal measure.
Wudi's mouth went dry. Now this was more like it. Perhaps he'd been hasty in his agreement to marry Li Ying. Maybe there was a more... mature option available.
The woman moved to stand beside the child-like patriarch, placing one elegant hand on his shoulder with casual familiarity.
"Honored husband," she said, her voice like wind chimes in a gentle breeze, "I see we have guests."
Wudi's brain stuttered to a halt. Husband? HUSBAND?
The Li siblings bowed deeply. "Mother," they said in unison.
Mother. MOTHER?
Wudi's world tilted sideways. The child was their father. This goddess was their mother. Which meant...
"You're married to... him?" The words escaped before Wudi could stop them, his finger pointing rudely at the diminutive patriarch.
The woman—the matriarch—turned her gaze to Wudi, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Indeed I am. For over three hundred years now." She tilted her head slightly, studying him with open curiosity. "And you are?"
Wudi scrambled to his feet and executed a bow that was only slightly hampered by his brain's continued inability to process the situation. "Wudi Egun, at your service, most beautiful—I mean, most esteemed Matriarch."
"Wu Lifen," she introduced herself, her smile widening at his slip. "But you may call me Matriarch Wu."
The patriarch cleared his throat, the sound like distant thunder despite coming from such a small frame. "I am Li Tianming," he said, his voice surprisingly deep and resonant. "Patriarch of the Ancient Li Family. And you, young man, have some explaining to do."
The Li siblings quickly took their seats at the table, with Li Ying positioning herself as far from Wudi as possible while still remaining at the same table. Wudi found himself directly across from the patriarch and matriarch, feeling like a specimen pinned for examination.
"Now," Patriarch Li said, his childlike face set in a stern expression that somehow managed to be more intimidating than any adult scowl Wudi had ever encountered, "perhaps you can explain why my children have brought you here with talk of marriage to my daughter?"
Wudi opened his mouth, but Matriarch Wu raised a delicate hand. "Before that, perhaps you could tell us a bit about yourself? Your origins? Your family background? Your aspirations?"
"Yes, of course," Wudi said, latching onto the reprieve. His eyes kept drifting to the matriarch, drawn by her ethereal beauty. "My origins are... humble. Very humble. The humblest, you might say."
"Specifics would be appreciated," Patriarch Li said dryly.
"Right, specifics. Well, I come from... far away. Very far. Billions of miles, in fact. My family is... ancient. And secretive. Very secretive. We prefer to keep a low profile."
"How convenient," the patriarch muttered.
"And your aspirations?" Matriarch Wu prompted, her eyes twinkling with what Wudi hoped was amusement rather than the prelude to ordering his execution.
"My aspirations?" Wudi repeated, his mind racing. What would impress these people? What would make him seem like a worthy match for their daughter? The truth was out of the question—"I'm a transmigrator who wants to use your family's resources to rebuild my ancient kingdom and possibly get revenge on the people who destroyed it" didn't seem like a winning strategy.
So he went with the first thing that popped into his head.
"I aspire to a life of leisure," he declared. "Complete and total relaxation. No stress, no responsibilities, no work whatsoever."
The patriarch's eyebrows shot up so high they nearly disappeared into his hairline.
"I believe in maximizing comfort and minimizing effort," Wudi continued, warming to his theme. "Why struggle when you can lounge? Why strive when you can nap? Life is short—well, for most people, apparently not for you two—so why waste it on ambition?"
"I... see," Matriarch Wu said, her lips twitching suspiciously.
"And after marriage?" Patriarch Li asked, his voice dangerously quiet. "What are your plans then?"
"Oh, I'll be the perfect house-husband," Wudi assured them with a broad smile. "I'll stay home, drink tea, maybe tend a small garden if I'm feeling particularly energetic that century. No need to worry about me pursuing dangerous cultivation or getting involved in sect politics. I'll be completely dependent on your family's resources. Zero risk, zero ambition, zero trouble!"
The patriarch's face had turned an interesting shade of purple, while the matriarch was now openly struggling not to laugh.
"And you wish to marry our daughter... why, exactly?" Patriarch Li managed to ask through gritted teeth.
Wudi's eyes inadvertently drifted to Matriarch Wu before he could stop himself. "Well, I've always appreciated beauty in the Li family," he said vaguely.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
"Father, Mother," Li Ying suddenly spoke up, her voice soft but clear. "I believe what my beloved is trying to say, in his own... unique way, is that he wishes for a simple life focused on family rather than power or prestige."
Wudi nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Exactly! Family focus. That's me. Family man through and through."
"Which is why," Li Ying continued, her eyes fixed demurely on the table, "we have discussed living in a small, modest home of our own after the wedding. Away from the family estate."
"We have?" Wudi blurted.
"Yes, beloved," Li Ying said, finally looking up at him with a sweet smile that somehow contained a thousand daggers. "As you said, you wouldn't want to be a 'henpecked husband' living off his in-laws' generosity. You were quite insistent about making your own way in the world, remember?"
"I... was?"
"Oh yes. You spoke so passionately about the importance of self-reliance and building something together, just the two of us. It was one of the things that drew me to you." Her smile widened. "How you said you'd rather live in a hut you built with your own hands than a palace built by others."
Wudi felt his dreams of a luxurious, work-free existence crumbling before his eyes. "Did I say that? That doesn't sound like me. Are you sure it wasn't someone else? Perhaps a different fiancé you have stashed away somewhere?"
Li Ying's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "I'm quite certain it was you, beloved. Just as I'm certain you meant every word about working diligently to support us."
"Working... diligently?" Wudi repeated the words as if they were in a foreign language.
"Yes, with that special sword technique of yours. The one passed down through your family for generations? You mentioned planning to open a school to teach it."
"I did?"
"You did," she confirmed with a nod that brooked no argument. "You were very clear about not wanting to rely on my family's connections or resources. 'A man must stand on his own two feet,' you said. 'Anything less would be dishonorable.'"
Patriarch Li's expression had transformed from hostility to something approaching approval. "Well, that's a much more reasonable attitude than what you expressed earlier, young man."
"It is?" Wudi said weakly.
"Indeed," Matriarch Wu agreed, her eyes dancing with mirth. "Such admirable principles. Self-reliance, hard work, building a life together through mutual effort rather than inherited privilege. I can see why our daughter was drawn to you."
Wudi shot a desperate look at Li Ying, who responded with another sweet, venomous smile.
"Of course," she added, twisting the knife, "my beloved is also extremely devoted to daily cultivation practice. He rises before dawn every day to train for at least four hours."
"Four hours?" Wudi squeaked.
"Sometimes six, when he's feeling particularly dedicated," Li Ying amended. "He's very disciplined."
"Discipline is the foundation of character," Patriarch Li nodded sagely. "Perhaps I misjudged you, Wudi Egun."
"Perhaps we all did," Matriarch Wu agreed, her smile now matching her daughter's in its dangerous sweetness. "It seems there's much more to you than meets the eye."
Wudi slumped in his chair, watching his dreams of a pampered, idle existence evaporate like morning dew under the summer sun. Somehow, in the span of a single conversation, he'd gone from potential son-in-law living in luxury to a hardworking, disciplined cultivator who would be building his own hut and teaching sword techniques to make ends meet.
And the worst part was, he couldn't even protest without revealing his earlier lies.
Li Ying caught his eye across the table and gave him the tiniest of winks.
In that moment, Wudi Egun realized he might have finally met his match in the art of shameless deception—and she was apparently his fiancée