Wenren Jingxuan saw the trace of pity and sorrow in his daughter's soft, beautiful eyes. His heart ached, and a bitter look surfaced on his face. All the words of persuasion filling his chest could no longer leave his mouth.
Shangguan Ce quietly let out a breath.
Naturally, he hoped Wenren Wan would agree.
This matter had been decided through the careful planning of many Void Insight Ancestors across Ganxue Prefecture. As the head of the Shangguan Family, he naturally did not wish to defy the wishes of all those ancestors.
On the smaller scale, it concerned the life of the Shangguan Family's direct heir, as well as the family's reputation.
On the larger scale, it concerned the safety of all Ganxue Prefecture.
As long as Wenren Wan agreed, it would become a favor owed.
Whether Yu'er could ultimately be saved or not, whatever became of Wenren Wan, it would be a good thing for the Shangguan Family.
He was the family head. He, too, had to weigh the gains and losses.
It was only that such "weighing" was somewhat selfish and cold-hearted. Shangguan Ce could not conveniently speak it aloud, lest he offend the Wenren Family.
Fortunately, Wenren Wan loved her son deeply and had made the decision herself. Otherwise, if she had disregarded this thread of blood kinship and sought only to preserve herself wisely, Shangguan Ce would not have been in a position to urge her.
As things stood, this was naturally exactly what he wanted to see.
Shangguan Ce stood to one side with his hands tucked into his sleeves, his expression calm as he looked coldly upon everything.
But at this moment, Shangguan Yi stepped forward.
Seeing the grief-stricken look on his wife's face, his chest could not help but ache. "I am Yu'er's father.