Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

[Important reminder: The mission cannot be completed if the host is killed. Please respect this rule.]

Hearing the system's cold voice, Lin Ping was filled with grief and resentment. Unfortunately, the system did not give him enough power.

Just then, a series of heavy footsteps came, and Jiang Xiuwen walked over with a grin. "So it's my elder sister who's back. I'll welcome you back with a feast and celebration, at least for a month or two."

As early as last night, Jiang Xiuwen had already received the news. When he heard that Jiang Lanfeng was going to take Jiang Yunying away, he was so anxious that he stomped his feet. However, he didn't dare to disturb the other party in the middle of the night, so he got up early and strode over.

"You're not a child anymore, yet you still talk so nonsensically." Jiang Lanfeng gave Jiang Xiuwen a disdainful look, almost punishing the man with family discipline.

A series of banquets lasting a month or two?

Did Jiang Xiuwen's money come from thin air?

Is such extravagance necessary?

Furthermore, you know I prefer peace and quiet, so why are you deliberately making such a scene? Aren't you just asking for a beating?

Jiang Xiuwen had his reasons for doing this; he hoped to keep the other party there for a month or two, so that Lin Ping could take the opportunity to get Jiang Yunying pregnant.

"Xiuwu, what kind of city lord are you? Your elder sister has returned, and you haven't even held a big banquet." Jiang Xiuwen kept winking at the city lord.

To be honest, the one who most wanted the two to be together wasn't Jiang Yunying and Lin Ping themselves, but this unreliable uncle. He dreamed of making the City Lord's Mansion flourish so as not to fail the old City Lord's expectations.

“That’s right, that’s right. My elder sister came in a hurry last night, so we must have a proper welcome-back dinner today,” the city lord replied with a smile.

"Do you think I don't know what you two are thinking? You just want to use Yunying to keep this kid here, and then make the City Lord's Mansion more prosperous." Jiang Lanfeng bluntly exposed them, showing them no mercy.

There's nothing you can do about it; the women of the City Lord's Mansion are just that domineering. Who told you to send her to Lotus Palace to cultivate in the first place? Now you know you regret it, right?

“Yu’er and Lie’er are the hope of the City Lord’s Mansion. Why should we rely on an outsider? Besides, how could you even think of sacrificing your daughter’s happiness to keep talent?” Jiang Lanfeng scolded him harshly.

Jiang Xiuwen and the others were speechless. What he said was true; they did indeed have the intention of relying on Lin Ping.

"Sacrifice your daughter's happiness? Hahaha!" Lin Ping wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed loudly. "I'm afraid it's you who's sacrificing my wife's happiness. You'll do anything to please your senior brother."

These words hit the nail on the head, striking straight into Jiang Lanfeng's heart. Lin Ping brought her shameful and humble thoughts into the open.

Everyone immediately felt a pang of worry for Lin Ping. To be honest, no one was a fool. They all knew what Jiang Lanfeng was thinking. If she didn't still have fantasies about her senior brother, why would she have remained unmarried for so long?

When you expose someone's most humble thoughts, it is very likely to provoke their anger.

As expected, the golden Star Chaser Sword flew into the air and pierced straight into Lin Ping's chest. Jiang Yunying tried to stop it but was firmly controlled by the other party.

"Don't even think about hurting my brother-in-law!" At this critical moment, Jiang Yunyu, who was usually the most timid, actually stepped forward and stood directly in front of Lin Ping.

Jiang Yunyu was the heir of the City Lord's Mansion, the only hope of the City Lord's Mansion. Jiang Lanfeng could beat him and scold him, but he could not kill him. He could only grit his teeth in anger, and then control the Star Chaser Sword to change direction and stab it straight into Lin Ping's back.

"If Aunt wants to kill Brother-in-law, then kill me first!" Jiang Yunlie stood behind Lin Ping, arms outstretched, looking as if he were ready to die.

Unlike their elders, these two were not materialistic; they valued their relationship with Lin Ping above all else. Even without Jiang Yunying's connection, they would have been willing to be his brother.

"Good, very good, you've all grown wings." Jiang Lanfeng sneered a few times. Naturally, he couldn't really attack the two of them, so he sheathed his Star Chasing Sword and prepared to leave with Jiang Yunying.

"My lady, if you leave, I will wait for you in the city lord's mansion. If you don't come back for a day, I will wait for you for a day. If you don't come back for a lifetime, I will wait for you for a lifetime!" Lin Ping shouted loudly, which can be regarded as a promise to Jiang Yunying.

In that very instant, Lin Ping suddenly understood.

He had fallen deeply in love with Jiang Yunying and would rather never complete the system task again.

Everyone was taken aback. They had thought Lin Ping would leave because of Jiang Yunying's departure, but unexpectedly, he was still willing to stay and help the City Lord's Mansion.

The city lord and the others were so happy they almost burst out laughing.

Lin Ping knew that Jiang Yunying valued the City Lord's Mansion more than her own life. Since that was the case, he would guard it for her until she returned.

Jiang Yunying felt a pang of sadness. Her beautiful eyes blinked repeatedly, and tears streamed down her cheeks, flowing into her mouth. They tasted bitter, astringent, and salty.

She felt she owed Lin Ping too much, and knew there was no turning back. She couldn't let this seemingly shrewd man wait foolishly.

“This is a letter of divorce. Since our marriage, Yunying has failed to give birth to a son and has never been filial to her parents-in-law. She has committed one of the ‘seven grounds for divorce,’ and her husband has the right to divorce her.” Jiang Yunying said while crying, holding a piece of stiff paper in her hand.

In the Kingdom of Wu, there are two ways to divorce. The first is for the man to divorce his wife, and he can divorce her at will if she violates any of the "Seven Grounds for Divorce". The so-called "Seven Grounds for Divorce" include: not bearing sons, adultery, disrespect for elders, verbal abuse, theft, excessive jealousy, and serious illness.

Jiang Yunying used the first and third reasons to get Lin Ping to divorce her.

Besides the husband divorcing his wife, there is another peaceful way to divorce, called "amicable divorce," which can be used by both men and women, mainly because the relationship between the two parties has broken down.

Someone once wrote in a divorce agreement: "I wish that after our separation, my wife will comb her hair again, paint her eyebrows beautifully, and we can part ways peacefully and each find our own happiness."

It's understandable for two people of similar social standing to divorce in this way, but Lin Ping was a son-in-law who married into the family and had a humble status.

If he divorces in this way, people will likely mistakenly believe that he has been kicked out of the city lord's mansion and has lost all dignity. No matter how handsome, wealthy, or well-read he is, it's all useless.

No woman would marry a man who had been kicked out of his home and had no chance of even passing the imperial examinations.

All that awaited Lin Ping was endless insults and contempt; he might even be chased and beaten like a rat in the street.

Therefore, although Jiang Yunying's choice to be divorced was disgraceful to her and the entire City Lord's Mansion, it at least allowed Lin Ping to live with dignity.

Imagine what kind of skills a man who is not even favored by the princess of the city lord's mansion must possess. He would probably be proposed to the moment he steps out of the city lord's mansion.

Jiang Yunying didn't want Lin Ping to foolishly make sacrifices for the City Lord's Mansion anymore; this was her way of repaying a favor to him.

"Please sign and seal this, Mr. Lin, otherwise, I will die with my eyes open!" Jiang Yunying resolutely handed the letter of divorce to Lin Ping, expecting that he would not sign it obediently, so she used "die with my eyes open" as a threat.

Lin Ping knew she was strong-willed and that she meant what she said. Tears welled in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth as he wrote his name on the divorce papers, declaring firmly, "My wife, rest assured, even if Lotus Palace is a den of dragons and tigers, I will rescue you!"

Jiang Yunying was already heartbroken, and after hearing Lin Ping's words, she burst into tears.

A wronged face was buried directly in the other person's arms, which was considered a farewell hug.

Lin Ping held Jiang Yunying's slender waist, savoring her fragrance one last time, a scent he would remember for the rest of his life.

Although he signed a letter of divorce, meaning the two would have no further connection and Lin Ping could continue to marry, this was merely a temporary measure to ensure Jiang Yunying's survival. Lin Ping would definitely not remarry.

"My wife, may you call me husband one last time?" Lin Ping choked up. He was used to hearing her call him that, and the "Young Master Lin" she had just called him really stung.

"These two children have really suffered." The city lord's wife's eyes were a little red, but she did not snuggle into the city lord's arms. Firstly, she wanted to act like an elder, and secondly, she felt that the city lord was incompetent, unable to even keep his own daughters.

Jiang Yunying's departure means it's unknown when she will return. Lin Ping is not the only one who has lost her; even her parents will find it difficult to see their daughter again.

"This is so touching." Jiang Xiuwen wiped away his tears and thought to himself, "My elder sister is so hateful. If I could beat her, I would definitely stand up for Ping'er."

Jiang Xiuwen really hoped that the old city lord could come back to life, so that at least someone could keep Jiang Lanfeng in check.

Although Jiang Xiuwu appears to be in charge of the City Lord's Mansion, in reality, he still has to follow Jiang Lanfeng's arrangements.

Jiang Yunying's pretty face emerged from Lin Ping's embrace, and she cupped that familiar face in her hands, kissing it deeply. She didn't want to leave herself with any regrets.

"Meeting my wife is the beginning of my lifelong regret; though we part with a kiss, I will never leave her." Lin Ping's voice was choked with emotion as he released his large hands.

That once spendthrift son, the纨绔 (wan ku, a spoiled brat) in the eyes of the world, could cry so heartbrokenly.

"Today, we part ways, each of us in our own way. Take care, my husband!" Jiang Yunying lightly touched the ground with her jade-like feet, her graceful body rising into the air, disappearing beyond the deep walls of the courtyard without looking back.

Lin Ping stood there dumbfounded. He thought he was prepared and could face it with a smile, but in the end he burst into tears and ran outside like a madman, shouting heartbreakingly, "Wife, wait for me!"

Perhaps it was the exhaustion from not sleeping all night, or perhaps it was the overwhelming grief that left him weak and powerless. In any case, the moment Lin Ping ran out the door, he fell down, his entire body sprawled on the ground, his fists pounding the earth incessantly.

Jiang Yunying, who was ahead, felt a pang of anxiety and quickened her pace. She was afraid that she would soften her heart and completely enrage Jiang Lanfeng, which would bring Lin Ping to his death.

Everyone rushed out in a hurry, their faces full of sympathy and helplessness. Even Jiang Xiuwen, a rough and uncultured man, sighed: Why can't lovers be together in the end?

Jiang Xiuwen should have said something like this: Stand up! What kind of hero cries and whines? Your uncle will find you a good girl right away. She may not be as pretty as my Yunying, but she'll definitely be fertile...

This is probably Jiang Xiuwen's aesthetic standard: a big, burly woman who is easy to bear children is a good wife.

The city lord's wife kept winking at the city lord, trying to prevent him from being sad or leaving.

Lin Ping had originally volunteered to stay, but he never expected Jiang Yunying to do such a thing.

"Ping'er, don't blame your father. As parents, we don't want our daughter to go to some remote mountain forest either." The city lord took the initiative to help Lin Ping up, first admitting his mistake, and then making his position clear: You are not the only one who is sad. We are just as sad. Since we are all saddened by the same thing, why don't we still be family?

"Lord City Lord, you are too kind. I am but a commoner. How could I dare to blame you?" Lin Ping bowed and immediately distanced himself from the City Lord.

Although he knew the city lord's predicament, he could never forgive him.

Lin Pingcai didn't believe that 10,000 private soldiers couldn't stop Jiang Lanfeng alone; it was clearly just that Jiang Lanfeng didn't want to stop him.

Moreover, Jiang Lanfeng is right. Now that the internal and external troubles of the City Lord's Mansion have been resolved, Lin Ping's role has diminished considerably, which is a good opportunity to hone Jiang Yunyu's skills.

Perhaps Senior Brother Jiang Lanfeng is a powerful figure, and establishing a relationship between the two could elevate the City Lord's Mansion to a higher level.

Furthermore, the city lord was afraid of his elder sister, which is why he deliberately did not stop them.

Lin Ping harbored resentment towards this and was unwilling to associate with the other party.

“Ping’er, that’s too formal. Although Yunying is gone, I can adopt you as my godson. From now on, you, Yu’er, and Lie’er will be true brothers,” the city lord said with a smile.

Knowing he was in the wrong, and fearing his standing in Lin Ping's eyes would diminish, he brought up Jiang Yunyu and Jiang Yunlie, hoping to retain Lin Ping's support.

“That’s right, that’s right. Becoming Xiuwu’s adopted son is a much higher status than before. Your uncle will definitely find you a better marriage.” Jiang Xiuwen said with a smile, his true intentions written all over his face.

Indeed, being a son-in-law is a despised status, while being an adopted son is the opposite, especially the city lord's adopted son, who may even be able to compete with Jiang Yunyu for the title. This shows that the city lord has gone to great lengths.

"Brother-in-law, please stay. If you leave, my uncle will bully me again." Jiang Yunyu walked up to Lin Ping, sobbing, without any pretense of acting.

Lin Ping patted Jiang Yunyu on the shoulder and said seriously, "You are the heir of the City Lord's Mansion. How can you cry and whine when things happen? How can someone so childish inherit the title? Your abilities are not bad, it's just that you are a bit timid. Be strong in the future, and you will definitely make a great career."

These words were not meant to comfort Jiang Yunyu. Through his observations over the past few days, Lin Ping discovered that the other party was indeed opinionated and thoughtful, and could often make correct judgments. It was just that because the people around him were too strict, he dared not express his own thoughts.

"Brother-in-law, don't worry, Yu'er will definitely live up to everyone's expectations!" Jiang Yunyu said, patting his chest, his eyes shining with a vigorous light.

He had never been praised before, and now he had finally received the approval of the person he admired most. How could he let that person down?

In the end, Lin Ping refused the city lord's offer. He really didn't know what reason to give for staying, nor did he want to face this place of sorrow.

Perhaps, returning to the Chen family and continuing to be that纨绔子弟 (spoiled brat) and squander money is the most sensible thing to do. As for relationships, he'll leave it to fate; maybe one day he'll meet a woman he likes.

However, the heart that was only open to Jiang Yunying was completely shut off, so how could it be easily opened by someone else?

Lin Ping left, dragging his lonely and dejected body away, leaving the main city without looking back, unmoved even by the thousands of private soldiers trying to persuade him to stay.

Later, someone said that Pang Xingji wanted to follow him into business, but he was ultimately refused. After all, the traditional values ​​of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants were deeply ingrained, and Pang Xingji was a military officer; how could he become the lowest of merchants?

I heard that Li Mingxuan chased after him crying, but Lin Ping kicked him back and gave him a good scolding.

Xiao Hui had a glimmer of hope. She didn't ask to become Lin Ping's wife; she only wanted to be a maid. Lin Ping understood her thoughts. Her heart, sealed shut, couldn't hold anyone else. He gave the girl a thousand taels of silver to redeem her. Whether she stayed or left was entirely up to her.

No amount of farewells could compare to a faint smile. Like a walking corpse, Lin Ping finally returned to the Lin family mansion.