Righteous Path and Love

"Uncle Xiao, Yanran came to visit so suddenly today. I hope you do not find it bothersome."

Inside the Xiao Family's Reception Hall, Nalan Yanran spoke solemnly to Xiao Zhan, who merely waved his hand with a light laugh.

"How could it be bothersome? It is just that next time, it would be best to let us know in advance, so your uncle can prepare to receive you."

Clearly, compared to Nalan Yanran's previous visit, Xiao Zhan's attitude toward her was far better this time.

Nalan Yanran was already Heaven's Proud Daughter. Her family was far more powerful than the Xiao Family, and she was also the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect. Yet when Xiao Yan had been regarded by everyone as trash, she had begged to marry into the Xiao Family. If Xiao Zhan still treated her poorly, he truly would not know what was good for him.

"Uncle Xiao, there is no need to be so polite with Yanran. Sooner or later, Yanran will marry into the Xiao Family. You can already treat Yanran as your daughter-in-law and be more casual with me."

Nalan Yanran covered the corner of her mouth and chuckled softly. Then, an unwelcome voice suddenly rang out.

"Tch! Nothing has even been decided yet, and you are already daydreaming!"

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran turned her gaze over and saw the undisguised displeasure on Xiao Mei's face.

"Mei'er!"

Just as the Second Elder was about to scold his own granddaughter, Xiao Yu beside him beat him to it and shouted sternly.

After all, Nalan Yanran was a guest. No matter how unhappy they were, they should not make it so obvious!

"Hmph!"

"You little girl."

Xiao Yu rubbed her head with a headache, while Xiao Yan looked apologetically at Nalan Yanran.

"Sorry, Miss Nalan. My sister is still young. Please be understanding."

"It is fine~ What are you saying? I could not be happier to have such a lively sister." Nalan Yanran smiled softly and looked at Xiao Mei. "Little Sister Xiao Mei, if you are dissatisfied with me in any way from now on, just say it. Your sister here will do her best to correct it—as your future sister-in-law."

"Y-you... mmph mmph mmph!!!"

The instant Xiao Mei heard Nalan Yanran's words, she completely broke down. Just as she was about to rise and hurl crude insults at Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yu, who had reacted in advance, covered her mouth and forcibly pressed her back down.

Xiao Ning rested his elbow lightly on the armrest, watching the scene with utter helplessness.

Honestly, with Xiao Mei's personality, Xiao Yan was probably the only one who could put up with her.

Xiao Xun'er also reacted to Nalan Yanran's words. Black qi appeared on her face as she smiled and spoke softly.

"Miss Nalan, you are still unmarried, after all. Do not make such jokes. If word gets out, it may cause unnecessary harm to your reputation."

"Let others say whatever they want. As long as I am happy, that is enough." Nalan Yanran replied softly, her eyes fixed tightly on Xiao Xun'er. "Let us get along well from now on too, my future little sister-in-law~"

Crack!!!

The armrest of Xiao Xun'er's chair exploded into fragments without warning. Though the smile on her face did not fade in the slightest, the entire Reception Hall suddenly turned sinister and cold. Faint sparks even flashed where Nalan Yanran's and Xiao Xun'er's gazes met.

Everyone could even smell a trace of hidden killing intent in the air!

This was not a Reception Hall at all—this was practically a battlefield!!!

Xiao Yan had a massive headache as well, his eyes full of conflict as he had no idea which side to support.

If he supported Xun'er, Nalan Yanran was a guest, and also his fiancée. It would make her lose face.

If he supported Nalan Yanran, Xun'er would not vent her anger at him. She would only silently bottle up her grievance inside, and that was exactly what Xiao Yan could not accept.

Just as no one knew how to resolve the situation, a Xiao Family Disciple suddenly entered from outside and looked toward Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, everything has been finished."

"Oh!"

Xiao Yan immediately responded. He stood up, pulled along Xiao Xun'er, who had been confronting Nalan Yanran, and looked apologetically at Nalan Yanran.

"Sorry, we need to take care of something now. Miss Nalan, please rest for the moment."

After saying that, Xiao Yan signaled Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning with his eyes. The two nodded lightly, dragged Xiao Mei out of the Reception Hall, and left this place of conflict alongside Xiao Yan, who was pulling Xiao Xun'er away.

After leaving the Reception Hall, Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Yan all breathed a sigh of relief.

That atmosphere just now had been far too terrifying. The three truly feared that Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er would start fighting on the spot. When that happened, Xiao Mei, that little girl who feared the world was not chaotic enough, would definitely get involved too. Then it really would be impossible to clean up the mess.

"Cousin, it is not that your cousin wants to lecture you." Xiao Ning sighed, slung an arm over Xiao Yan's shoulder, pulled him aside, and whispered, "At the end of the day, this happened because of you. You need to find a way to solve it yourself. You cannot keep standing by and doing nothing."

As he spoke, Xiao Ning gestured with his lips toward Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er.

"Look at how those two girls treat Nalan Yanran. If Nalan Yanran truly marries into the Xiao Family someday, I am afraid there will never be a peaceful day in the house again."

There was actually one more thing Xiao Ning did not say.

Although he felt it was unlikely, if Xiao Yan truly married Nalan Yanran and caused Xiao Xun'er to completely turn dark, then forget the Xiao Family—even the Nalan Family and the Misty Cloud Sect would probably have no peaceful days ahead!

Of course, Xiao Ning did not want that reason to interfere with Xiao Yan's choice. That would be the woman who would accompany him for the rest of his life; he absolutely should not be coerced by other external factors.

The person Xiao Yan chose had to be someone he genuinely loved. Only then would it be fair to Xiao Yan.

"Mm."

After listening to Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan rubbed his head with a headache.

How could he not know all this?

But right now, all he truly wanted was to finish walking his righteous path. He had never considered matters of love.

Or rather, Xiao Yan had always deliberately avoided this issue.

Compared to marriage, Xiao Yan cared more about how far he could go on his righteous path.

Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Mei, then let out a deep sigh in his heart.

"Let us not think about this for now." Xiao Yan scratched his hair. "Let us go hang everything up."

Afterward, Xiao Yan and the other four returned to the Training Ground. Along with the Xiao Family Disciples, they placed the finished lanterns, paper decorations, and other items throughout the Xiao Family estate. Under the decorations, the once dim and solemn Xiao Family estate became exceptionally festive.

During the decorating, Xiao Mei, Xiao Xun'er, and even Xiao Yu were gradually infected by the lively atmosphere, their moods improving as their usual smiles slowly returned.

Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran, who had left the Reception Hall with Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders, looked at the changes in the courtyard and turned to Xiao Zhan with surprise in her eyes.

"Uncle Xiao, is someone in the Xiao Family getting married?"

It was no wonder Nalan Yanran asked. After all, there was no New Year custom anywhere on the Dou Qi Continent. Basically, families only decorated so festively when someone in the household was getting married.

"Ah~ no, Niece Nalan, do not misunderstand." Xiao Zhan waved his hand with a light laugh and explained, "Yan'er suggested this when he was little. At the turn of every year, all of the Xiao Family's businesses close down, and Xiao Family members wherever they are return on this day to eat and make merry together."

"I see."

Nalan Yanran nodded. Gazing at Xiao Yan standing on a stool and hanging lanterns from the roof beam, a dazzling light flashed in her eyes. At the same time, a tenderness no one had ever seen was deeply hidden within them, and memories from the past surged into her mind.

He really was such a peculiar person, just like back then.

So gentle, yet able to make those around him feel warmth, making people want to remain by his side forever.

Nalan Yanran could not help clenching her fists. Her eyes shone with unquestionable determination, while her heart was filled with nearly overflowing resolve.

Xiao Yan! I, Nalan Yanran, am determined to marry you in this life! You dare not run away!!!