Chapter 6: This Marriage, Indeed, Should Be Annulled
Cough.
The old man in the white robe lightly coughed, stood up, cupped his hands towards Xiao Zhan, and smiled: "Clan Leader Xiao, the reason I have come to your family today is to ask for a favor."
Upon hearing this, many people were momentarily stunned. Could it be that someone from Yun Lan Sect was asking for something from the Xiao family?
"Hehe, Mr. Ge Ye, if there is something, please speak. If it's within our capability, the Xiao family will not decline," Xiao Zhan said, not daring to treat the old man with any disrespect. He quickly stood up and said this, though not knowing exactly what the old man wanted, he didn't dare to overpromise.
"If it's a private matter, Miss Nalan can step aside to talk. Everything is negotiable. Perhaps I will visit Old Master Nalan in the future," Xiao Yuan said suddenly, standing up and speaking with a calm voice in the hall.
In other words, it was as if he was saying: You wouldn't want me to go to your grandfather and tell him how arrogant and oppressive you've been, would you?
This statement left everyone confused. Even Xiao Zhan didn't immediately understand and looked toward his third son with a puzzled expression.
Usually, Yuan'er wouldn't act in such an impolite way in such a setting.
Miss Nalan, Old Master Nalan… Could it be that the young woman beside the old man was the fiancée he had never met, Nalan Yanran?
Xiao Zhan's face lit up with a smile in his heart, but then he remembered what Xiao Yuan had subtly said and finally reacted.
Although Yuan'er was handsome, he couldn't cultivate fighting energy. And now, with Nalan Yanran from Yun Lan Sect bringing people here, it seemed they weren't here for good reasons.
It appeared that Yuan'er had already figured this out. But, considering the two families had been close for many years, it wouldn't be appropriate to offend them right away.
After a moment of reflection, Xiao Zhan forced a gentle smile: "So it's Miss Nalan. Xiao Uncle hasn't seen you in many years. Please don't blame me for not recognizing you."
The three elders exchanged glances, frowning slightly.
Nalan Yanran hadn't expected Xiao Yuan to directly see through her intentions and preemptively say something that left her in a bit of a difficult position.
This was like a child suddenly declaring, "I'll tell the teacher on you!"
It was an absolute defeat.
For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. Moreover, since Xiao Zhan was an elder and was speaking so kindly to her, she couldn't not answer him. So, with a somewhat stiff smile, she said:
"Uncle Xiao, I haven't visited in a long time, so I should apologize, but I wouldn't dare blame you."
Meanwhile, Ge Ye, who had been dealing with matters for a long time, knew that today's situation wasn't going well. According to the plan, if the Xiao family refused, he might have to use Yun Lan Sect's name to apply pressure.
However, Xiao Yuan's words had certainly made him think more creatively.
Although the Xiao family was nothing compared to Yun Lan Sect, he didn't really care about that.
But Xiao Yuan was quite perceptive. He could see that Xiao Yuan's intelligence far exceeded the average person's. Since he already understood their goal, it seemed he wanted to save face for the Xiao family. Ge Ye figured Xiao Yuan would likely make the right choice.
Under such circumstances, he didn't mind giving the Xiao family a little favor. Perhaps, in the future, there would be a time when the Xiao family could be useful.
He had achieved his current status by knowing when to make sacrifices.
"Hehe, since that's the case, let's make this our family's private matter. As Yuan'er suggested, why don't you two young people talk it over first? Yuan'er, as he can't cultivate, has taken charge early. Although he hasn't gone through the adult ceremony yet, he can make his own decisions about his matters now."
Xiao Zhan smiled even more and continued.
Upon hearing this, Ge Ye naturally wanted to agree, but since Nalan Yanran, as the young sect leader, was the one whose decision mattered most, he couldn't make a decision on his own. He hoped that Nalan Yanran would make a more rational choice.
Xiao Zhan's words were already quite clear. Nalan Yanran wasn't a fool. At this moment, she realized that neither Xiao Yuan nor Xiao Zhan would likely refuse to annul the engagement.
As for the so-called visit to her grandfather, while it seemed like a threat, it was actually just an expression of helplessness. Even if she really tried to force her way using Yun Lan Sect's influence, Xiao Yuan, a man who couldn't cultivate, would probably be lucky if he even made it to the imperial capital alive. Her grandfather would likely only scold her a bit.
With that in mind, Nalan Yanran began to find Xiao Yuan somewhat cute.
She had to admit that Xiao Yuan's handsome face and rational words had left a good impression on her.
Just as men aren't too harsh on pretty women, women tend to be more forgiving toward handsome men.
What's more, in Nalan Yanran's eyes, Xiao Yuan wasn't just handsome but also perceptive. As the young sect leader of Yun Lan Sect, she should be magnanimous.
Thinking that everything was in her control, Nalan Yanran flashed a sweet smile: "Alright, it should be like this."
This made Xiao Yan, who was sitting behind Xiao Yuan, unable to stop himself from rolling his eyes.
"Should be like this? And yet, you came here and set up such a scene for the Xiao family? If it weren't for third brother's quick thinking, the Xiao family would've lost face already."
With this level of behavior, she wasn't worthy of being my sister-in-law!
"Miss Nalan, please follow me."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan nodded, then turned and started walking out.
"Mm."
Nalan Yanran nodded slightly, then followed Xiao Yuan out of the hall and walked along the path in the backyard.
As she walked behind the white-robed and handsome young man, a trace of regret flashed in her eyes.
From the current perspective, this third young master of the Xiao family, who was betrothed to her, seemed satisfactory in every way, except for the fact that he couldn't cultivate.
Everyone has a love for beauty.
It was impossible for Nalan Yanran to ignore Xiao Yuan's appearance.
But at the same time, she didn't want to marry a useless man. Strength was an important factor in her decision for a partner.
"Miss Nalan, you're here to annul the marriage, aren't you?"
Xiao Yuan's calm voice interrupted Nalan Yanran's thoughts, bringing her attention back to him.
Sensing her hesitation, Xiao Yuan continued:
"This engagement was arranged by our grandfathers, but plans never go as expected. Now, I truly am unworthy of being with the esteemed Nalan Miss, the young sect leader of Yun Lan Sect. Moreover, between us, we have barely met, and there are no feelings involved, so naturally, there is no need to discuss marriage."
At this point, Xiao Yuan deliberately paused. When Nalan Yanran opened her mouth to say something, he suddenly turned to face her and looked into her eyes, speaking with firm resolve:
"So, this engagement, indeed, should be annulled."
(END CHAPTER)
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