Chapter 984: Annulling the Engagement
Her relationship with Xiao Xu was extremely good.
While everyone else was mocking Xiao Xu, she was the one encouraging him.
Every night, I would sing encouraging little tunes outside Xiao Xu's house.
"Like sunlight piercing the darkness, dawn quietly sweeps across the horizon. Whose figure weaves through the cycle of reincarnation? The road ahead lies beneath your feet. Do not grieve, do not fear, be full of confidence, and look forward to tomorrow..."
"Smile in the face of danger, and your dreams will come true. Summon your courage, move forward with determination, and miracles will surely happen..."
An inspirational tune played on repeat; if it weren't for her, Xiao Xu would have given up by now.
"Xiang'er, what's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?" Xiao Xu stepped forward and asked.
"Brother Xiao Xu, it's...it's the Zhongli family who have arrived!"
"It was Zhongli Qingwan who came in person, along with two elders. She said she wanted to visit Uncle Xiao!"
“Zhongli Qingwan?” Xiao Xu’s body stiffened abruptly.
A glimmer of light suddenly flashed in his dim eyes, only to quickly fade away again.
It even carried a hint of bitterness and embarrassment.
His engagement to Zhongli Qingwan was a fact known throughout the entire Dongyue Dynasty.
Now that he was a cripple, the sudden visit from the Zhongli family left him with a vague suspicion.
The guess made his heart tighten, and even breathing became difficult.
"understood."
Xiao Xu's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.
"Brother Xiao Xu, don't worry, I'm here!" Xiao Xiang'er looked at him and said earnestly.
She has a secret.
That secret is a secret.
Anyway, her family is powerful; the Zhongli family is nothing but a handful of enemies that can be wiped out with a flick of the finger.
I hope she won't do anything to hurt Xiao Xu's brother.
Meanwhile, Zhongli Qingwan and her entourage had already arrived at the main hall with the guide.
Xiao Zhang, the patriarch of the Xiao family, waited at the entrance with several core members of the Xiao family.
Xiao Zhang was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, with a jade belt inlaid with emeralds around his waist.
He had a dignified face and a robust physique, with only a few strands of white hair at his temples.
This revealed his inner anxieties.
Upon seeing Zhongli Qingwan, Xiao Zhang immediately broke into a warm smile.
He took the initiative to greet her, his tone somewhat friendly: "My niece Zhongli, it is an honor to have you here. I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"
His gaze swept over Zhongli Qingwan, noticing her increasingly outstanding temperament.
I was overjoyed.
The Zhongli family's power is growing stronger every day.
If we can firmly bind ourselves to the Zhongli family through marriage.
The Xiao family's status will surely rise to a higher level.
As for Xiao Xu's situation, he had his own plans.
As long as the marriage agreement is made, a way to restore one's cultivation level can always be found in the future.
For now, we still need to have some selfish motives, to take over the Zhongli family's power, and to keep some petty people in line!
"You're too polite, Patriarch Xiao."
Zhongli Qingwan bowed slightly in greeting.
"?"
Xiao Zhang was somewhat bewildered.
Whether it's a marriage agreement or a personal relationship, calling him Uncle Xiao is the proper thing to do.
Why is it Chief Xiao?
Zhongli Qingwan's tone remained calm: "Qingwan has come today to discuss important matters with the clan leader."
"Okay, please come in! Please come in!"
Xiao Zhang no longer cared about how he was addressed.
He warmly stepped aside to lead the way, his gaze sweeping over the two elders, Kumu and Fengchun, and he nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Then he looked at Jiang Yantian and Xue Haifu Ling.
Seeing that the two people had extraordinary bearing, yet he did not recognize them, he was filled with doubt.
But he didn't ask any more questions.
He didn't pry, but simply greeted them warmly: "Please come in, both distinguished guests!"
The group entered the main hall and took their seats as host and guests.
The main hall is furnished in a simple and elegant style, with several paintings and calligraphy works by famous artists hanging on the walls.
Exquisite cups and glasses were placed on the table, revealing the rich heritage of a large family.
A maidservant served fragrant tea, and the aroma filled the air.
However, it did nothing to dispel the tension lurking in the air.
Xiao Zhang picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and his gaze fell on Zhongli Qingwan.
He smiled and said, "My niece Zhongli has come in person today. What brings you here?"
"If there is anything the Xiao family can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."
In his view, Zhongli Qingwan's personal visit was most likely about her engagement with Xiao Xu.
Maybe they want to discuss the wedding date.
Thinking of this, Xiao Zhang felt even more excited.
If the wedding date can be set as soon as possible, the relationship between the Xiao family and the Zhongli family can be completely stabilized.
Several members of the Xiao family sitting to Xiao Zhang's left echoed his sentiments.
In a warm tone: "Yes, Miss Zhongli, please feel free to speak!"
"My Xiao family and the Zhongli family have been friends for generations, so it is only right that we help each other!"
Zhong Liqing put down her teacup, her fingertips gently stroking the rim.
He spoke calmly, his voice carrying clearly throughout the main hall.
She broke the lively atmosphere in the hall: "Clan Chief Xiao, elders, Qingwan has come today indeed to discuss her marriage agreement with Xiao Xu."
Upon hearing the words "marriage arrangement".
Xiao Zhang's smile instantly became even brighter.
He quickly replied, "Oh? Is that why my niece came?"
"I was just thinking that after a while, I would send someone to Zhongli's house to discuss your wedding date with Xuer!"
"Don't worry, I will definitely prepare a grand wedding for you, so that the entire Dongyue Dynasty will know about it!"
"Clan Chief Xiao has misunderstood."
Zhongli Qingwan shook her head, her tone remaining calm.
But with an undeniable resolve, she said, word by word, "Qingwan has come today not to discuss the wedding date, but to dissolve the engagement with the Xiao family."
"?"
"What?" Xiao Zhang's smile froze instantly.
The teacup in my hand fell heavily onto the table with a loud thud.
The scalding hot tea splashed out, wetting the hem of his brocade robe.
He suddenly stood up, causing the chair to slide back several feet with him, making a screeching sound.
A look of shock instantly crossed his face.
Looking directly at Zhongli Qingwan, his voice trembled with disbelief and excitement: "What did you say? You want to break off the engagement?"
Upon hearing this, both the elders of the Xiao family and some of the Xiao family members who were listening to the conversation from the outside were stunned.
The atmosphere in the main hall froze instantly.
The Xiao family members, who had initially been enthusiastic, all changed their expressions.
The look in his eyes as he gazed at Zhongli Qingwan was filled with astonishment.
One of the gray-haired elders of the Xiao family suddenly stood up: "Miss Zhongli, the engagement was personally arranged by the elders of both families. How can it be dissolved so easily?"
"Is your Zhongli family's action an attempt to deceive my Xiao family into having no one to rely on?"
"Exactly, this is an absolute disgrace!"
Another member of the Xiao family stood up and glared at Zhongli Qingwan.
"What have my Xiao family ever done to offend your Zhongli family? Why are you humiliating us like this!"
For a moment, the main hall was filled with the angry shouts of the Xiao family members, and the atmosphere was tense.
Jiang Yantian and Xue Haifu Ling sat with their legs crossed.
His expression remained languid.
He seemed oblivious to the angry shouts around him.
He observed the activity in the hall with great interest, his eyes full of anticipation.
Xiao Zhang served as the clan leader.
I took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in my heart.
His eyes were icy as he stared at Zhongli Qingwan: "Niece Zhongli, do you know what you're saying?"
