The Betrothal

After the voice from the communication crystal faded, complete silence fell between the brother and sister inside the stone hut. Both Xu Yuan and Xu Xinyao wore peculiar expressions, while the big block of ice stayed quiet to the side, not saying a word. In his previous life, after he had broken up with his girlfriend, his family had impatiently arranged several blind dates for him. Hearing this phrasing, Xu Yuan had already guessed what his old man wanted to say, and indeed, it turned out just as he thought. However, even though the old man had run a sizable business in his past life, those blind dates had mostly just been the usual nagging to get married. The match his current father spoke of, on the other hand, was almost certainly a political marriage. His thoughts flitted for an instant before Xu Yuan asked, "A political marriage?" A slight pause came from the other side of the communication crystal, followed by a low voice that did not deny it. "Mm." Xu Yuan took a deep breath and asked, "For a political marriage, shouldn't Xu Changge be the one considered? If I remember correctly, he doesn't have a betrothal either." From what Xu Yuan remembered, this eldest brother was practically insulated from women. Not because no one pursued him—when traveling the world, his demeanor was like a banished immortal, his looks exquisite, his cultivation world-shaking, and his aura absurdly transcendent. Countless women admired him. Women adored men like Xu Changge, but most could only bury their affections in their hearts; any woman who dared express her love to this eldest brother was without exception a peerless talent of extraordinary beauty and cultivation. Yet therein lay the problem: most of these supremely gifted and beautiful women hailed from the sects, and nearly every one of them had taken part in the Tianyuan Grand Tournament thirteen years ago. In other words, The vast majority of those peerless fairy maidens who held longing in their hearts for Xu Changge had been personally slaughtered by him. A so-called banished immortal was meant to remain untainted by mortal dust; if a banished immortal descended into the mundane world, he would no longer be a banished immortal. His eldest brother was pretty much destined to be alone forever... In the Imperial Capital, A black carriage carved with coiling dragons rolled through the most bustling downtown quarter of the Imperial Capital. The prosperous street and teeming crowd fell deathly silent; because of this carriage, not a single person dared make a clamor. Inside the carriage, a middle-aged man with a face as still as water sat upright before a desk, a half-foot crystal sphere hovering before him. Hearing this question from his third son, Xu Yinhe lightly tapped the desk before him. "I spoke with Marquis Wucheng regarding this matter, but it will be centered around their side." Hearing this, Xu Yuan grasped Marquis Wucheng's intention almost instantly. When his father said it would be centered around them, it most likely meant the marriage would be matrilocal—marrying into her family, rather than the commandery princess marrying into the Chancellor's Manor. The Chancellor's Manor was undoubtedly a tier above Marquis Wucheng's Manor, so a matrilocal marriage was most likely a compromise. After witnessing the might of the battle formation at Shengshan County, Xu Yuan no longer underestimated the power of Marquis Wucheng, the Northern God of War. Even a Saint would likely fail to stir up any waves against a battle formation assembled from true elite troops. Although the future of this world had become unrecognizable due to the flapping of his butterfly wings, the time for his father to execute his plan had to be drawing closer and closer. This matrilocal marriage was most likely arranged to prepare for that. Of course, this form of marrying in was not like the usual sort. After all, the Chancellor's Manor's power stood tall and undeniable. The saying that truth only exists within the range of cannons held true everywhere. Even if it was a matrilocal marriage, Marquis Wucheng's Manor could never treat him like the henpecked sons-in-law Xu Yuan had known in his previous life. Wicked servants bullying the master, branch families oppressing him, cold glares, or even having a substitute swapped in on the wedding night were utterly out of the question. After all, if Marquis Wucheng's Manor dared try any of that, given his father's protective attitude toward family, he would never sit idly by. Still, judging from his father's words, they had probably planned to send Xu Changge for the marriage alliance during the initial negotiations. Xu Yuan didn't know much about Commandery Princess Mu Zhiyun; after all, back then he had merely been shamelessly lusting after her body without getting to know her deeply. But there was one simple truth that could not be overcome: They couldn't suppress him. Neither Mu Zhiyun nor even Marquis Wucheng had any confidence they could keep this eldest brother in check. A matrilocal son-in-law... At this thought, Xu Yuan felt an odd urge to laugh. If his eldest brother went to Marquis Wucheng's Manor, it would most likely turn into one of those "Dragon King Son-in-Law" tropes. If Xu Changge became Marquis Wucheng's son-in-law, then within twenty or maybe even ten years, Marquis Wucheng's Manor would probably become the Chancellor's domain. Xu Changge acted domineeringly, but that domineering nature was backed by his strength. And while he could never win a debate against Second Brother since childhood, that didn't mean he lacked cunning. Thinking this, Xu Yuan let out a long breath. "Is Marquis Wucheng afraid he can't keep Eldest Brother under control?" Xu Yinhe's voice soon replied, "Marquis Wucheng was likely considering that." "..." Silence. After a while, Xu Yinhe's voice came slowly. "Originally, I did not wish to drag you into this affair, but seeing your performance today..." "Father." For the first time, Xu Yuan interrupted his father. "Is the marriage alliance truly necessary?" Silence fell over the communication crystal for a moment before the voice spoke again. "The impact is neither too large nor too small." "..." The words were ambiguous, but they caused Xu Yuan's heart to sink slightly. In his memories, their father had never forced the four siblings to do things they didn't want to do. For him to speak in this manner, the marriage alliance most likely carried tremendous ramifications. After a long silence, Xu Yuan took a deep breath. "I understand. Once the matter with the Wanxiang Sect is resolved, I will return to the Imperial Capital immediately." "If you are unwilling, there is no need to force yourself," Xu Yinhe said calmly. Though the relationship between his third son and Old Man Ran's disciple wasn't entirely clear, he had lived through that age himself, after all, and understood to some extent. Xu Yuan shook his head lightly and said in a low voice, "Father, it is merely a political marriage. Besides, what happened back then was indeed provoked by me, so this marriage alliance can only be considered fitting." Xu Yinhe did not reply immediately upon hearing this, but Xu Xinyao suddenly spoke up from the side. "Father, Third Brother has a beauty accompanying him, while Xinyao is all alone. How about letting Xinyao go instead?" Marquis Wucheng's Manor did not have only that little commandery princess; there was also a young marquis a few years younger than Xu Changge. Previously, because of Mu Zhiyun, Xu Yuan had even gotten into a slight conflict (nearly been crippled) with him, though fortunately Xu Changge had been at the manor at the time and stopped (beat the living daylights out of) the young marquis. Thinking of this, Xu Yuan glanced at his fourth sister beside him and sighed. "Xu Xinyao, what they want is the direct line..." Xu Yinhe's voice rang out with a hint of sternness. "Changtian!" "..." Silence fell for a moment. Xu Yuan chuckled softly and said no more. Xu Xinyao bit her lip and fell silent as well. Xu Yinhe's tone softened slightly. "Xinyao, pay it no mind. Marquis Wucheng's grandson is already betrothed." Xu Xinyao remained quiet for a moment before answering softly, "Mm..." Xu Yinhe turned back to Xu Yuan and asked with a slightly serious tone, "Third Son, are you certain you have thought this through?" Xu Yuan shrugged and nodded. "Doesn't matter. It's all the same." Xu Yinhe let out a long breath. "Then the matter is settled. After the Wanxiang Sect is dealt with, return to the capital immediately." "Yes." "..." "..." "Is there something else?" "Mm. About... Gui Qi." Silence. After a while: "Speak. I am listening."