HE WHO CONQUERS ALL

The Encounter

"Su Xiao…"

Su Qingying practically spat his name, her teeth clenched in fury.

"You!"

"You’re just my father’s nephew! How dare you speak to me like this?!"

"I am his biological daughter!"

Her outburst barely landed before Su Xiao’s expression darkened.

His tone, too, took on a dangerous edge.

"Are you trying to use Uncle Su to pressure me?"

"Let me tell you exactly why—"

He took two steps forward, the cold smirk on his lips making Su Qingying instinctively tense.

"Because you’re a woman."

Su Xiao laughed—though his voice carried only mockery.

"Women belong in their boudoirs, playing with their powders and perfumes. What can you contribute to the family aside from a political marriage?"

"Don’t blame me—or Uncle Su—for favoring Mengning."

"If Young Master Shen had chosen you, I’d be just as respectful to you."

Then, he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

"But unfortunately for you—"

"While your face may be stunning, your personality is neither soft nor sweet."

"Haven’t you ever wondered why so few men have dared to pursue you?"

Su Qingying’s breath hitched, her fury unrelenting.

"What does that have to do with me? Those pathetic, lowly men—I wouldn’t even let them stand near me."

"Exactly."

Su Xiao applauded sarcastically before his voice suddenly sharpened—

"Then you should understand—"

"You are no different in Young Master Shen’s eyes than those ‘lowly men’ are in yours."

Then—

He threw open the door, smirking coldly.

"While our second miss continues to charm Young Master Shen—"

"If your jealousy ruins things, what do you think Uncle Su will do to you?"

"What do you think the Su family will do to you?"

SLAM!

The door shut firmly, leaving Su Qingying alone in the massive room.

Her pupils trembled, her chest rising and falling violently—her eyes filled with madness and chaos.

Then suddenly—

She breathed deeply, her face slowly relaxing.

When she looked up again—

She was smiling eerily, her lips curling upwards—

"I will be worthy of Shen Chen."

"I will make him see me."

"Heehee…"

Liaojiang Park

As the park officially opened, more and more people flooded in.

Merchants set up stalls, eager to attract the young crowds.

The air buzzed with the sound of vendors calling out, laughter, and chatter—

A lively and festive atmosphere.

Amidst the cheerful chaos, Shen Chen and Su Mengning strolled leisurely—

Wanting to experience the normalcy of everyday life.

But—

It wasn’t going well.

Their looks were far too striking.

Even though they carried an air of aloof elegance, and even though their dynamic suggested a couple—

The stares followed them relentlessly.

Had they not exuded such unapproachable charisma, countless people would have come up to talk to them.

Even still—

Many tried to sneak photos, their faces flushed with excitement.

But soon—

That behavior vanished completely.

Because—

Su Xiao had arrived—

Bringing with him a pack of wealthy young heirs, all dressed in opulence, gold watches flashing.

The crowd instantly stepped aside, recognizing the notorious group.

Among them—

Su Xiao himself.

The undisputed prince of Jiangcheng’s elite playboys—

A man nobody dared to provoke.

Su Xiao strode forward, his face beaming as he approached Shen Chen.

"Young Master Shen! This is Li Hui—my closest friend!"

At the introduction, a gold-watch-wearing youth immediately stepped up, bowing slightly.

"Young Master Shen, Young Master Shen! I have heard so much about you—"

"Finally seeing you in person—I must say, you truly deserve your title as the most handsome nobleman in the Empire!"

His flattery was blatant—

And his posture?

Utterly submissive.

Behind him, the other young heirs stood in silence, their postures perfect, their smiles overly polished—

They wouldn’t dare speak unless permitted.

Among the onlookers—

Shock rippled through the crowd.

That’s Su Xiao…

And his entire crew of spoiled, arrogant rich kids…

But weren’t they supposed to be the most overbearing brats in Jiangcheng?

Why…

Why were they acting like they’d just met their fathers?!

A Strange Encounter

With Su Xiao and his followers now trailing behind Shen Chen—

Even the hushed whispers of gossip among the crowd died down completely.

Wherever they walked—

People parted.

Su Xiao, walking at the front, turned to Li Hui, lowering his voice.

"I delayed our arrival on purpose—just to see how far Mengning and Young Master Shen have progressed."

"If this actually works out…"

His mind wandered to the possibilities—

Imagining himself wreaking havoc across the Empire’s high society, flaunting his newly elevated status.

"Hmph… With Young Master Shen as my brother-in-law, I can walk sideways through the entire Empire!"

But just as he was indulging in his fantasy—

Li Hui suddenly froze mid-step.

"What’s wrong?"

Su Xiao turned toward him.

Li Hui’s teeth clenched as he stared ahead.

Following his gaze, Su Xiao spotted—

A young man in a tattered Daoist robe, standing casually by the riverside.

The young man’s chin was raised slightly, his gaze languid.

Then—

He spoke.

"I heard someone say… you’re from the Su family?"

Su Xiao narrowed his eyes, choosing not to respond immediately.

Instead—

He glanced at Li Hui.

"You know this guy?"

Know him?!

Hearing that question, Li Hui’s face twisted in fury.

Had he not been in a hurry to return to Jiangcheng, he would’ve made sure that old bastard Liu handled this nobody properly.

Yet—

Here he was.

"A lowly piece of trash," Li Hui sneered.

That was all Su Xiao needed to hear.

"Young Master Shen is here. We’ll deal with him later," he murmured quietly.

Li Hui nodded slightly.

Although he desperately wanted to teach the brat a lesson—

Nothing mattered more than pleasing Young Master Shen.

But just as Su Xiao was about to drop the matter—

The Daoist spoke again.

"What’s the matter?! Why aren’t you answering me?"

"Aren’t you Su Xiao? Isn’t Su Mingshuo your old man?"

The air froze.

The crowd—

Utterly silent.

Had this nobody just called the Governor by name—

Right in front of his nephew?!

Su Xiao’s gaze turned ice cold, his expression dark and deadly.

If not for Young Master Shen’s presence—

This Daoist would’ve been dead the moment he spoke.

"Heh."

Su Xiao let out a chilling laugh.

"I am from the Su family. And you are?"

His voice—controlled.

But those who knew him well could hear the venom beneath.

Then—

The Daoist grinned suddenly.

"Great! That makes things easier!"

He clapped his hands together, exclaiming—

"I was just about to visit Su Mingshuo myself! Be a good lad and escort me there—"*

But mid-sentence—

His voice cut off abruptly.

Because in that moment—

His eyes locked onto someone behind Su Xiao.

A girl in a flowing white dress.

For a moment—

He forgot to breathe.

"T-There’s no way…"

He had never—not in this life, not in his past life, not in any life—

Seen a girl so utterly breathtaking.

Yet—

Before he could stare any longer—

A figure stepped forward, blocking his view.

It was the handsome young man standing beside her.

And with a calm smile, Shen Chen asked—

"Tell me, little Daoist—why exactly do you seek Governor Su?"