Dissolving the Marriage Contract, Xiao Yan's Fury!

Half an hour later.

The Xiao Family's elite had all gathered in the Xiao Family's main hall.

Xiao Cang sat in the seat of honor, while Uncle Xiao Zhan sat in the secondary seat. The Three Elders and several elite members sat along either side.

The only junior present besides Xiao Cang, Cousin Xiao Yan, sat at the very end of the left side. His expression kept shifting as he wondered why Xiao Cang had summoned him.

Logically speaking, although he was the legitimate eldest son of the Xiao Family's patriarch, he should not have been qualified to attend a high-level meeting.

Since Xiao Cang had called him here, there had to be another reason.

Outside the entrance, quite a few juniors had gathered to watch.

"Why did Cousin Xiao Cang suddenly convene a meeting of the family's upper ranks? That trash Xiao Yan is actually here too?"

"Could Cousin Xiao Cang have found a way to help Xiao Yan recover his talent?"

"Probably not. He could just find Xiao Yan privately for something like that. Why convene a high-level meeting?"

"If you ask me, Cousin Xiao Cang must be sick of Xiao Yan's trash talent and plans to drive him out of the Xiao Family."

"How is that possible? Don't forget, even if Xiao Yan is trash, his father is still the patriarch. Cousin Xiao Cang should at least show the patriarch some respect, right?"

"You're so uninformed. I heard yesterday that the patriarch and the Three Elders have been discussing whether to hand the patriarch's position over to Cousin Xiao Cang these past two days. After all, having a Dou Wang as the family head would be more beneficial to the family's growth and development!"

"..."

The waves of discussion made Xiao Yan's expression grow increasingly ugly.

With Xiao Cang's prestige as a Dou Wang, if he truly wanted to drive Xiao Yan out of the family, even Xiao Zhan might not be able to protect him.

"Nephew Xiao Cang, the family's core members are all here. If you have something to say, just say it," Xiao Zhan said.

"Alright."

Xiao Cang nodded, then cupped his hands toward the Xiao Family's upper ranks. "I called everyone here today because I want you all to bear witness. This junior has an unreasonable request and hopes Uncle Xiao Zhan will grant it."

"An unreasonable request? What are you saying, Nephew? Just speak plainly. If it is within my power, I will certainly do my utmost."

Xiao Zhan's heart skipped a beat. He immediately felt that what Xiao Cang was about to say would not be good news, but he still replied with a solemn expression.

"Good. Uncle Xiao Zhan is indeed straightforward. I wonder if Uncle Xiao Zhan still remembers that Cousin Xiao Yan has a Marriage Contract."

"A Marriage Contract?!"

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened.

Only then did he recall that while he was still in his mother's womb, his grandfather Xiao Lin had arranged a Marriage Contract for him with the old master of the Nalan Family.

The betrothed was none other than Xiao Cang's wife, the personal disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect's leader—Nalan Yanran!

Cousin Xiao Cang had only returned from the Misty Cloud Sect a few days ago, yet he was already bringing this up. Could it be...

Xiao Yan's heart thudded as a bad premonition rose within him.

Xiao Zhan had thought of the same thing as Xiao Yan, and the smile on his face immediately faded somewhat.

"I remember. It was a Marriage Contract arranged long ago by my father and Old Master Nalan Jie. Nephew Xiao Cang, you mean..."

A smile curled at Xiao Cang's lips. He lifted his teacup and took a light sip before saying calmly, "Aside from visiting the family, I returned this time carrying Sister Yanran's request. That is... to help her dissolve this Marriage Contract."

The instant those words fell, the main hall became silent.

The smile vanished completely from Xiao Zhan's face, replaced by a heavy, unsightly expression.

"Dissolve the Marriage Contract..."

Xiao Yan suddenly clenched his fists, his face turning livid with humiliation.

He had known that Xiao Cang could not have called him here for anything good, but he had never expected it to be a public annulment!

That single sentence humiliated him more than any insult he had suffered over the past three years.

The Three Elders were also startled, their gazes swiftly shifting between Xiao Cang and Xiao Zhan. It was not hard to see that the atmosphere between the two had become grave and tense.

Upon hearing this, the juniors outside the entrance all looked at Xiao Yan mockingly.

Dissolving the Marriage Contract?

He had truly disgraced all men!

What use was there in keeping someone like him in the Xiao Family?

"Hehe, Nephew Xiao Cang, you must be joking."

Xiao Zhan gave a dry laugh. "The Marriage Contract was arranged long ago. How can it be changed simply because the juniors wish it?"

"Why can't it?"

Xiao Cang shot Xiao Zhan a sidelong glance and sneered coldly. "Marriage concerns a person's lifelong happiness. How can elders decide it rashly on a whim? Sister Yanran and Cousin Xiao Yan have never even met and have no feelings for one another. If they were made to marry, would that not ruin both their happiness?"

"But if the Marriage Contract is dissolved, where would the Xiao Family's dignity go? How could Yan'er ever hold his head up in the Xiao Family again?" Xiao Zhan retorted.

"Dignity is earned by oneself, not bestowed by others. Does Uncle Xiao Zhan think that having Cousin Xiao Yan, who has only reached the Third Stage of Qi Condensation, marry the Proud Daughter of Heaven of the Misty Cloud Sect would bring honor?"

Xiao Cang snorted coldly, leaving Xiao Zhan speechless.

Then Xiao Cang changed the subject and continued:

"As for the Xiao Family's reputation... Uncle Xiao Zhan, rest assured. Once Cousin Xiao Yan's Marriage Contract with Sister Yanran is dissolved, Sister Yanran and I will marry. That way, in the eyes of outsiders, the Marriage Contract between the Xiao Family and the Misty Cloud Sect will have remained intact all along, never changing. Not only will the Xiao Family's reputation remain unaffected, but everyone under heaven will instead think this match is perfectly well-suited."

"What?!"

Xiao Zhan's expression turned even uglier upon hearing this.

By Xiao Cang's reasoning, the Xiao Family's reputation and dignity would indeed remain unharmed, but all the humiliation would be concentrated on Xiao Yan.

A commotion arose among the younger members of the Xiao Family outside, with mocking voices coming one after another.

Not a single one of them thought Xiao Cang had gone too far.

That was simply how the world of the strong preying on the weak worked—the bigger fist was the hard truth.

Besides, Xiao Cang was not wrong.

How could the happiness of the younger generation be ruined because of a momentary impulse from their elders?

And no matter how one looked at it, Xiao Cang and Nalan Yanran were the better match!

Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly, his face livid, veins bulging at his temples. His fingertips dug into his palms from sheer rage, drawing blood.

To him, this was simply the greatest humiliation imaginable!

Yet Xiao Cang did not even spare him a glance.

"What do the Three Elders think?" Xiao Cang looked toward the Three Elders.

"This..."

The Three Elders looked at one another, unsure of what to say.

Naturally, they wanted to support Xiao Cang. After all, Xiao Cang was the Xiao Family's only Dou Wang.

Moreover, this matter would not truly harm the Xiao Family's reputation.

But considering Xiao Zhan's contributions to the Xiao Family over the years, they could not bring themselves to publicly embarrass him.

"Oh, right. Over the past few days, I found some time to refine several Qi Gathering Powders. If the Elders do not mind, you may take them for the younger members of the family."

Xiao Cang smiled faintly and took out three Qi Gathering Powders from his Storage Ring.

At once, the unusual fragrance of the pills spread through the room.

The Three Elders' eyes instantly burned with desire, and their breathing quickened.

"Xiao Zhan, this old man thinks Nephew Xiao Cang's words just now were reasonable." The Great Elder took a deep breath and immediately spoke.

"Yes, you should agree to Nephew Xiao Cang's request," the Second Elder echoed.

"Xiao Zhan, do you still not understand? The fact that Nephew Xiao Cang is willing to sit down and discuss this matter with you calmly is already the greatest respect he can show you! Otherwise, with his Dou Wang cultivation, he could simply force you to agree!" The Third Elder slammed his hand on the table.

"Three Elders, you..."

Xiao Zhan's face was ashen, yet he was helpless.

How could he not know that Xiao Cang's willingness to sit down and discuss this matter with him was entirely because they were both members of the Xiao Clan?

Otherwise, as a mere Da Dou Shi, what right did he have to bargain with Xiao Cang?

Yet just as Xiao Zhan began to waver, Xiao Yan suddenly rose to his feet.

"Cousin Xiao Cang, there is no need to say any more."

"Don't you want to break off the Marriage Contract?"

"Fine, I agree!"

Xiao Yan's face was full of fury, his voice firm and ringing.

At that moment, he stood with his back perfectly straight!

Seeing this, Xiao Cang could not help but reveal an amused smile.

What?

Had they reached the ever-popular "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river" part already?