Breaching Heaven

Zhenya had a silly grin on his face and looked at all the girls taking in the amazing view. They were all wearing beautiful dresses and had styled their hair. If that was done by them deliberately or forced, he didn't know, nor did he care. After suffering for years, this felt good: finally being recognized by the clan and being treated so well.

"So I just choose one now? Or do I need to do something else first?" Zhenya remarked while carefully checking out all the girls.

"Just choose one first, then we will discuss what you found in the ancestral tomb. After that a lot of things will be happening, but that's for later." said the patriarch.

"Alright, introduce yourselves shortly, please." Zhenya stated, looking at the girls. Still wearing that silly grin.

The girl closest to the patriarch stepped forward, giving a courteous bow while holding the hems of her purple dress; her long white hair was tied in two buns, and she had gorgeous blue eyes. "I am Gao Yun; my hobbies are cleaning and cooking, and I would like to become your servant, my lord."

Zhenya just looked at her with a silly expression on his face, his facial features scrunching up. "My lord? What the hell, patriarch, what did you say to them?" he asked, staring straight into his eyes.

"Well, that you are going to be the next patriarch, of course. Which you are going to be," he stated, stroking his beard.

Zhenya froze, staring at the patriarch, his mouth widening so much it almost tore apart. "Are you serious? I, a branch family member, am going to become the patriarch." He said dumbfounded; he couldn't comprehend what was happening anymore. Never in a million years would Zhenya have expected this.

"Well, that's for later; first choose one to become your servant. Ok, start introducing yourselves quickly, one after the other." Jia Fu told all the girls.

They, of course, didn't want to earn the resentment of the patriarch, so with stiff movements and some tears forming, they quickly started introducing themselves one after the other.

The second girl stepped forward with a more forced smile and barely bowed down. "I am Xing Xue; please choose me. My lord," she almost whispered, quickly stepping back into the line. She almost started crying but just barely kept it together.

"I am Mao Xinya, my lord. I enjoy playing sports and cooking; please pick me," she stated, as she also quickly got back in line.

"My name is Yi Yun; it's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Zhenya." She said, bowing politely, even showing a teasing smile. She was wearing plain green hanfu, but that plain hanfu accentuated her long brown hair and her beautiful green eyes, making her stand out among the other girls.

Zhenya didn't hesitate a moment. "I want her to be my servant!" he declared loudly, flashing a triumphant grin as if to show his masculine side to the girl.

"Are you sure, Zhenya? There are still more girls that haven't introduced themselves. Shouldn't you at least hear them out?" Jia Fu mentioned, looking at Zhenya.

"No, I want her. You said I could choose any of them, so I choose her. Simple." He insisted, crossing his arms and pouting.

"Alright, I was just making sure. No need to act like that." Turning toward the girls, he continued, "Everyone except Yi Yun can leave. Tell the elders that Zhenya has chosen so they can arrange for you all to return back to your duties."

"Now, Zhenya Follow me to the main building, and you as well, Yi Yun. There the previous patriarch will explain everything to you two." He said, turning around and walking toward the exit. "Follow me."

The boy and girl hurried after the patriarch; first, they exited the ancestral building, walking across the massive square that stood in between the ancestral building and the main hall where the patriarch and previous patriarch resided.

They arrived promptly at the main hall, entering it and walking through numerous halls, meeting countless servants and main family members who all looked curiously at the two children that were walking behind the patriarch. 

"Who are they?" A servant murmured to the servant that stood next to her holding laundry.

"I have no idea, but they must be important if they can enter this estate guided by the patriarch," mumbled the other.

Both wanted to follow them and find out who the kids were, but they didn't have the guts to do it. The patriarch walked menacingly right in front of them, and it looked like they were going to the restricted part of the estate where the retired patriarch resided.

"So, Lord Zhenya. How was it in the tomb?" Yi Yun asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Why are you so daring and casual with me? Aren't you afraid of displeasing me?" Zhenya replied, looking intrigued at the girl walking next to him.

Yi Yun tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing ever so faintly, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "Why would I be afraid? You chose me! Not any of the others; that means you must have fallen for my irresistible charms," she said proudly.

Zhenya heard the patriarch stifle a giggle but ignored it; he was getting more and more interested in this girl. At first he just chose her because of her introduction, but now he was genuinely getting interested in her.

"Well, what if you displease me so much, and I ask the patriarch to replace you?" he inquired. curious what Yi Yun's answer would be.

She looked at him with a teasing smile. "Well, I'll just have to make sure I don't do that, but by the looks of it, I don't think that is going to be a problem."

Zhenya felt his cheeks flush red, turning his head away abruptly. 'I like her,' he thought to himself.

Clearing his throat, the patriarch abruptly stopped in front of a door that had the word "Jia" written on it in beautiful golden ink. "Enough with the silliness; you are now going to meet the previous patriarch. Jia Hui, so watch your tones and be respectful, or not even I will be able to save you.