Chapter 169: Familial Affection

Chapter 169: Familial Affection

“I’m going out for a walk,” Su Qingjun said to Madam White and turned to leave. However, just as she had turned halfway, Madam White suddenly called out to her, “Qingjun, come here and sit down. I have some things I want to discuss with you.”

Su Qingjun’s body stiffened. After a moment of hesitation, she furrowed her brows and spoke softly to Madam White, “Mother, I’m a bit pressed for time right now. Can we talk after I take care of this matter?”

Madam White stared at her, her expression gradually darkening. She said flatly, “Is there truly anything in this world more important than your parents?”

Su Qingjun was taken aback and speechless. She turned to face Madam White and said, “Mother, how could you think that? I have never had any disrespectful thoughts toward you.”

Madam White looked at her for a moment, then sighed deeply. “Good daughter, of course, I believe you. Come here,” she said, gesturing for Su Qingjun to come closer.

Su Qingjun hesitated but eventually walked over slowly.

Madam White stood up and gently embraced her daughter, showing a touch of affection on her face as she murmured, “In this world, is there really any parent who doesn’t love their own child? Qingjun, I am truly thinking of you.”

Su Qingjun was silent for a moment before saying, “Mother, I... still don’t quite understand what you mean.”

Madam White shook her head. “Are you in such a hurry to leave because you want to go to your brother’s side?”

Su Qingjun’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Madam White. “Mother, how did you know?” She paused, then her expression grew colder. “So, you know what Su Mo did?”

Madam White waved her hand dismissively. “That child is just a bit unruly. He was beaten badly last time and had no way to vent his frustration. He didn’t dare to trouble you directly, so he vented his anger on a trivial servant. What’s the big deal?”

Su Qingjun’s eyes revealed a mix of shock and anger as she whispered, “That’s not right!”

Madam White snorted. “In Kunwu City, there are countless wealthy families and young people who take out their anger on servants. Beating and scolding is commonplace. It’s not as if you haven’t seen this before.”

Su Qingjun bit her lip and, after a long pause, said, “Mother, it’s different. He’s a Kunlun disciple...”

“A mere servant disciple,” Madam White raised her voice, “Without talent or background, how is he any different from our household servants?”

Su Qingjun’s hands clenched slowly inside her sleeves, her head hanging slightly.

Seeing her expression, Madam White seemed to soften a bit, lowering her tone as she said gently, “Qingjun, you are the most outstanding person in our Su family and the one your father and I cherish and have high hopes for the most. If nothing unexpected happens, the future of our family will undoubtedly be entrusted to you. Even if you are devoted to cultivation and uninterested in worldly matters, your younger brother, when he takes over the family business, will certainly be obligated to serve and honor you. Remember always that we are family, and blood is thicker than water. Nothing compares to this.”

Su Qingjun slowly lifted her head and suddenly asked, “Mother, did Su Mo say something to you?”

Madam White glared at her. “What Su Mo says or doesn’t say is irrelevant. He is your own brother.” She continued calmly, “You’re young and already have reached the Golden Core stage. Your future is limitless. Not to mention Nascent Soul, even a Soul Formation cultivator is within reach. With such a bright future ahead, how could a worthless servant disciple be worthy of you?”

Su Qingjun was stunned, then slowly shook her head in disbelief and said, “How can you think like this? How can you say such things...”

Madam White’s expression grew stern. “Am I wrong? Are you willing to swear on your life that you have no feelings whatsoever for that man named Lu Chen?”

Madam White, with a stern face, turned away and no longer looked at her. “If you really dare to defy me, then try it for yourself. Otherwise, get out of here immediately and go back to Kunlun Mountain. Leave right now!”

Her final words were harsh and urgent.

Su Qingjun stared at her, then slowly walked out of the hall. Under the strange gazes of the servants, she wiped away the tears from her face with her hand.

Could she pretend to still be perfect...

She walked slowly, step by step, forward.

The sounds of cruel laughter and cries of pain from deeper in the mansion continued intermittently, mixed with the gleeful, malicious laughter of those who delighted in the suffering. But her steps continued to lead her towards the gate of the Su residence.

Sky and earth, parents.

High as a peak, heavy as a mountain.

She looked up at the sky, which seemed boundless and vast, stretching infinitely.

Her face was ashen, devoid of any color.

Unknowingly, she had reached the gate of the Su residence. The guards hurriedly came forward to meet her, with Lao Li at the forefront. Seeing Su Qingjun’s expression, he asked with concern, “Miss, are you alright?”

Su Qingjun didn’t respond to him. She simply stared blankly at the stone steps in front of the Su residence, never having imagined that these steps could be so difficult to walk.

Isn’t the hardest thing in the world the intricacies of human relationships?

With a pale face, she stood in front of the grand family gate, under the plaque bearing the Su family name. The people around her exchanged glances, but no one dared to speak.

She stood there, not knowing for how long. The wind brushed against her body, her hair and clothes fluttering gently, and gradually, a sense of coldness emanated from her.

Clear as water.

Cold as ice!

She suddenly turned around and looked at Lao Li. Her voice, like a clear bell in the wind, untainted and calm, asked quietly, “Lao Li?”

“Ah?”

“Is there a table in your house?”