Yang Cheng rose to his feet, his expression calm as he studied her. "Madam Song, there's no need to be so polite. If you have something to say, just speak directly."
He could sense that this Song Shuyue's cultivation had reached the peak of the Insight God realm—no weaker than Tang Yurou. Yet her aura was gentle, carrying no hint of hostility.
Song Shuyue smiled faintly and spoke softly. "Your Highness may not know, but I came here today for my daughter—Lin Shu."
"Lin Shu?"
A flash of surprise finally appeared on Yang Cheng's face.
He had known Lin Shu for many years. She was the 'Empress of the Dark Night,' ruthless and precise in her methods, never careless. But she had never once mentioned having any family.
Even in his memories of his previous life, Lin Shu's origins had been a complete mystery. All he knew was that she had once been in the hands of traffickers.
At that thought, the space behind him rippled faintly—exactly where Lin Shu was hiding.
Yang Cheng looked back to Song Shuyue and said evenly, "Madam Song, you claim to be Lin Shu's mother. Do you have any proof?"
Song Shuyue had clearly prepared for this. "My daughter has a light pink birthmark shaped like a five-petaled plum blossom on the left side of her back. Only her father, I, and Lin Shu herself know of it. No one else could possibly be aware of it."
Yang Cheng extended his spiritual sense toward where Lin Shu was concealed. She said nothing—but she didn't deny it either. That was enough for him to know Song Shuyue was telling the truth.
Song Shuyue observed Yang Cheng's reaction closely. When she saw his initial curiosity shift into realization, she understood—Yang Cheng hadn't known about the birthmark before. Her respect for him rose immediately.
Lin Shu had followed Yang Cheng for years, yet he'd never once crossed any line. That alone proved he valued her for her ability, not her body.
Yang Cheng withdrew his gaze and his tone cooled. "Madam Song, I've known Lin Shu for twelve years. Back then she was only five, thin as a reed, being sold by traffickers. Pitiful."
He paused, eyes sharp as blades as they fixed on her. "She's seventeen now. If you abandoned her back then, why bother coming to disturb her life now?"
Song Shuyue's eyes instantly reddened, her voice trembling with suppressed grief. "Your Highness misunderstands. We never abandoned her—it was a desperate situation."
She took a deep breath, then slowly recounted the past. "Twelve years ago, the Lin clan was attacked by an old enemy. Our ancestral land was destroyed, countless clansmen killed. My husband and I had no choice but to entrust our little girl to a loyal guard to ensure her safety. We planned to bring her back once the danger passed. But after the guard escaped to the Wasteland Realm, his injuries took his life. From then on, we lost all contact."
Her voice quivered as she continued, "All these years, we never stopped searching. But we didn't know he had fled to the Wasteland Realm, so we could never find Lin Shu. Only recently, when Your Highness's name spread far and wide, her name appeared as well. We traced the rumors all the way here."
By the time she finished, tears streamed down her face. Her words were filled with guilt and remorse.
Yang Cheng was silent for a moment. He hadn't expected such a story. He'd assumed the Lin clan were no better than the Tang clan—ruthless and calculating—but it seemed their situation had been different.
Finally, he asked, "Then, Madam Song, do you wish to take Lin Shu away?"
Song Shuyue shook her head hastily. "No. For us, it depends entirely on Lin Shu's own will. Wherever she chooses to stay, we'll respect her decision. We just want to see her, to let her know she still has family."
Yang Cheng's attitude softened slightly. "This isn't something I can decide. Let her speak for herself."
Song Shuyue's expression turned tense.
A faint distortion rippled through the air as Lin Shu's figure slowly emerged from the shadows. Her gaze toward Song Shuyue was complicated.
Song Shuyue's eyes widened with emotion. "Xiao Shu…"
Lin Shu sighed softly. She had heard everything. She couldn't truly hate this woman—but neither could she feel any affection.
She had been taken from the Song household when she was two. Her memory of Song Shuyue's face was faint, a blurred image from her earliest years. Seeing her now only stirred a distant sense of familiarity.
"Madam Song," Lin Shu said calmly, "I'm living well under His Highness's protection. You don't have to worry about me."
Lin Shu said calmly, "We haven't seen each other for twelve years. There's really no need for us to try to reconnect."
Song Shuyue's expression dimmed, though it was clear she had expected this. She quickly composed herself and said gently, "Xiao Shu, my Lin clan has long since weathered that disaster. In the Horn Constellation Realm, we now hold considerable power. If you're willing, my Lin clan can support both you and His Highness Yang Cheng."
Lin Shu's heart wavered slightly. She didn't care about the Lin clan's help—but His Highness might need it.
She fixed her gaze on Song Shuyue and asked softly, "Madam Song, would you ever lie to me?"
Song Shuyue's tone was firm, her eyes filled with sincerity. "Xiao Shu, if I deceive you, may I die pierced by a thousand arrows and never find peace…"
Before she could finish, Lin Shu quickly covered her mouth. "Don't say things like that. I believe you."
A smile broke across Song Shuyue's face, tears glimmering in her eyes. Lin Shu's reaction told her that, deep down, her daughter still cared.
Seeing this, Yang Cheng silently turned and left the room, giving space to the mother and daughter who had been separated for twelve long years.
If Song Shuyue had been like Tang Yurou, he would never have allowed such a reunion.
But she clearly wasn't. Her affection for Lin Shu was genuine. He had no reason to interfere.
Inside the room, Song Shuyue spoke softly, "Xiao Shu, your father and grandfather have missed you dearly all these years."
Lin Shu said nothing. She had no intention of leaving His Highness's side.
But Song Shuyue had already caught on from their earlier exchange.
Her daughter clearly cared deeply for Yang Cheng. If she wanted to rebuild their bond, the best way was through him.
"Xiao Shu," Song Shuyue continued, "our Lin clan possesses wealth exceeding tens of billions of divine stones, along with vast stores of cultivation resources."
Her tone grew more serious. "During the war twelve years ago, most of our younger generation perished. Among the core members of our bloodline, fewer than 10 remain, and most lack real talent. With your aptitude, if you return, you'll be cherished as the clan's brightest hope."
Lin Shu's voice was calm. "And what if I turn out to have no talent at all?"
Song Shuyue chuckled softly. "Then your mother will support you herself. Over these years, I've personally saved up several million divine stones. If you ever need them, they're yours."
Several million divine stones!
Lin Shu's chest tightened slightly. Hearing how easily Song Shuyue offered such a fortune, she couldn't pretend to feel nothing.
And judging from her words, the Lin clan truly was powerful.
"Alright, Madam Song," Lin Shu said at last. "I'll go back with you for a visit."
The two of them stepped out of the room. Lin Shu approached Yang Cheng and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, I'd like to visit the Lin clan. I won't be gone for long."
Yang Cheng smiled gently. "Very well. Remember, no matter where you go, I'll always be your backing. If anyone mistreats you, don't endure it. Just come back and tell me."
"Yes."
Lin Shu's answer was steady. She knew His Highness never spoke empty words.
After bowing again, she took her leave alongside Song Shuyue.
Once they were gone, the warmth faded from Yang Cheng's expression, replaced by an icy stillness.
Some matters could no longer be postponed.
The fact that the Ning clan could precisely track his mother's movements was no coincidence. There had to be a traitor hidden within the Great Zhou. And such a threat—could not be allowed to exist.
"It's time to return to Great Zhou."
Yang Cheng murmured quietly.
That same day, he departed from the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy and set off toward Fengtian City.