Hanabi froze outside Hinata's boudoir, the envy in her heart gradually fading.
She sobered up. This was by no means a simple matter of love.
It not only concerned her sister's happiness for the rest of her life, but also the rise and fall, honor and disgrace, of the entire Hyuga clan.
Currently, the Hyuga clan was a vassal of the Uchiha, and it was only with Shun's support that they had their current prosperity. If her sister could formalize their relationship with him, the clan's future would undoubtedly be bright.
She dared not linger any longer and turned to rush towards her father's study.
"Father... Father..."
Hanabi's voice, tinged with urgent trembling, echoed from the corridor to outside the study, startling a few sparrows resting under the eaves.
She rushed to the study door in one breath. The maid guarding the door tried to stop her but was roughly pushed aside, staggering as Hanabi burst into the study.
The wooden door creaked open, breaking the silence in the room.
At this moment, Hiashi was seated at his desk, holding a brush, focused on handling clan affairs.
On the desk lay a stack of yellowed paper scrolls, which were the list of training slots for Immortal Village on Ancestral Planet, densely filled with the names of clan members.
Now, the information about Immortal Village had been made public, and it was a treasure land that billions of people dreamed of entering. Even ordinary people living in Immortal Village could significantly extend their lifespan.
And there, they even had the chance to learn Senjutsu.
Therefore, as a vassal clan of the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan's steady development over the years was entirely due to Shun's strong support.
The Uchiha had long ago given the Hyuga clan many training slots in Immortal Village, which allowed the Hyuga clan's members to improve their strength by leaps and bounds. Such grace and opportunity were sought after by countless clans.
Hearing his daughter's call, Hiashi was somewhat displeased.
Soon, he saw Hanabi running over, her breathing somewhat hurried.
He frowned slightly, put down the brush, and said in a stern tone, "Hanabi, why are you so flustered? Have you forgotten the clan's etiquette? What kind of behavior is this?"
Hanabi propped her hands on her knees, panting heavily, her cheeks flushed from running, but her eyes were astonishingly bright. "Father! I just... just saw with my own eyes that sister was in her boudoir... embracing Shun-sama, and their relationship was very intimate. And looking at their attire, they seemed to have just woken up, it seems... it seems Shun-sama... spent the night in sister's room."
By the end, her voice couldn't help but tremble slightly.
With a "clatter," the brush in Hiashi's hand fell onto the desk. His eyes first flashed with astonishment, then instantly turned into unconcealed joy, even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.
He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and quickly paced around the study twice.
He touched his beard, his tone filled with unconcealed delight, yet a barely perceptible solemnity flickered in his eyes. "Hanabi, you're not joking, are you? If it's true, this is a great blessing. Hanabi, did you see clearly, and not mistake him for someone else?"
Seeing her father's expression, Hanabi nodded. "Father, it's true."
After confirming, Hiashi's expression became even more excited. "If Hinata can marry Shun-sama as a consort, the status of the Hyuga Clan will become even more stable, and no one will dare to look down on us ever again."
The bright future of the clan was close at hand, but this glory would ultimately have to be exchanged by his daughter. Thinking of this, his joy faded a bit, leaving a heavy heartache.
Meanwhile, inside Hinata's boudoir, the atmosphere had gradually eased from the previous awkwardness.
Shun stood by the window, watching Hanabi's figure disappear at the end of the corridor.
He turned and walked to Hinata, who was still somewhat dazed. He gently embraced her, the warmth of his palms radiating through her clothes.
"Hinata, don't be afraid. With me here, no one will trouble you."
Hinata buried her face in his warm chest, his familiar scent gradually calming her frantic heartbeat. "Shun... Hanabi saw everything..."
She had kept her relationship with Shun, who was once her teacher, a secret from everyone.
Out of consideration for her clan and external opinions, and fearing that the vast difference in their statuses would bring trouble to the Hyuga clan, she had carefully maintained this relationship.
Now, being discovered by her closest sister, she was at a loss as to how to face it, filled with anxiety and helplessness.
Shun kissed her hair, his eyes full of tenderness. "Hinata, I've made you suffer. Why not make it public now, and save you from constantly worrying? I will personally visit the Hyuga clan head to explain our intentions, and I will prepare the most lavish betrothal gifts to marry you with great pomp, so that the entire Ninja World knows that you, Hinata, are my, Uchiha Shun's, consort."
This resounding promise instantly dispelled all of Hinata's anxieties. She raised her hands, tightly hugged Shun's waist, buried her face in his chest, and tears finally couldn't help but fall.
"Shun... thank you... I truly feel so happy..."
"Silly girl..."
The two embraced for a long time until busy sounds came from outside.
Shun gently patted Hinata's back, softly gave a few instructions, and then turned to leave the Hyuga residence.
Hinata straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, took a deep breath, suppressed the throbbing and unease in her heart, and turned to walk towards her father's study.
She knew that she would have to face this eventually. Rather than avoid it, it was better to confess proactively.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the study was unusually calm.
Hiashi sat in the main seat, his expression still showing lingering joy.
Hanabi stood respectfully by his side, her hands clasped in front of her, occasionally stealing a glance at her sister who had just entered, her eyes full of curiosity and gossip.
Hinata lowered her gaze, a blush on her cheeks, her steps somewhat light.
Seeing his daughter approach on her own, Hiashi's smile widened, and his eyes softened considerably. "Hinata, you're here. Hanabi just told me that you and Shun-sama are together. Is this true?"
Hinata's body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously looked up at her father. Seeing no trace of blame in his eyes, only unconcealed anticipation and joy, the unease in her heart finally receded a little.
She nodded gently, her eyes firm. "Yes, father. Shun and I have been in love for a long time. Due to many concerns, I haven't told you or the clan members until now. Please forgive me, father."
Hiashi's laughter gradually subsided, the cheerfulness on his face replaced by deep solemnity.
He slowly sat down, his gaze falling on Hinata, filled with complex emotions.
The joy that had surged moments ago for the clan's future was now replaced by heartache for his daughter.
"Hinata, what crime have you committed? This is the clan's blessing, but... but... it is also your tribulation."
"Hinata, do you know that Shun-sama is a philanderer? He has already married seventeen consorts, and his inner court has never been peaceful."
"Recently, he has been very close to his two female secretaries, Ino and Yakumo, their relationship ambiguous. Even Kurotsuchi from Iwagakure and Pakura from Sunagakure often serve him day and night. His reputation for lechery has long spread throughout the Ninja World."
"Hinata, if you marry him, you will only be one more consort, sharing a husband with dozens of others, and facing disputes in the inner court every day. This is something no ordinary woman can bear. Hinata, do you really want to marry him?"
The joy on Hanabi's face instantly froze. She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.
She only knew of Shun's excellence and glory, but had never considered these things, and was momentarily dazed.
Hinata's body trembled violently, the blush on her cheeks instantly fading. Her hands, hanging at her sides, quietly clenched.
She knew these were not rumors but her heart already belonged to that man, she couldn't refuse.
At this moment, with her father pointing it out directly, those deliberately ignored anxieties surged into her heart.
She took a deep breath, her eyes still firm. "Father, I know the rumors outside, and I know his past. But I have been with him for a long time, and I believe in his feelings for me. Even if I have to face many difficulties in the future, this is the path I chose myself, and I will never regret it."
Hiashi looked at his daughter's stubborn appearance, his heart aching even more, but he knew that things had come to this point and could no longer be reversed.
He sighed deeply, the complexity in his eyes indescribable.
On one side was an excellent opportunity for the clan's rise, and on the other was his daughter's lifelong happiness. He ultimately leaned towards the former.
His voice softened considerably, his eyes filled with guilt. "Hinata. Since your mind is made up, I will do my best to facilitate this. Tomorrow morning, I will personally visit Shun-sama to express the sincerity of the Hyuga clan, and we must not be impolite. It will also be a way to gain some dignity for you. I have let you down for the sake of the clan. Alas..."
Hinata looked at the guilt in her father's eyes, and then at the worry in her sister's eyes.
She straightened her body, then bowed respectfully. "Father, you overstate it. This is my own choice, and it's not 'suffering'. My marriage... I'll trouble you with it, father."
Hiashi looked at his eldest daughter, feigning strength, and the guilt and heartache in his heart grew even stronger. His throat felt as if it were stuffed with cotton, with a thousand words unsaid, ultimately turning into a long sigh.
"Hinata..."