The Xiao Family Has Courted Death

"Xiao'er, your uncle got played by you."

In the end, Xiao Zhan failed to soothe Fang Yi and was punished with sleeping in the study for the next month.

He could only make his way to the Xiao Family's council hall with a mournful face, where he found that all the elders were indeed present.

Not only that, Xiao Yan and Xun Er were there as well.

"Patriarch, I believe we should arrange a marriage for Chu Xiao." The Grand Elder got straight to the point.

Xun Er: ???

Am I invisible?

"I support the Grand Elder's proposal." The Second Elder raised his hand to state his position.

"I second it." The Third Elder raised his hand as well.

Chu Xiao had actually drawn Yun Yun, a Dou Emperor, to come personally and accept him as a disciple on her master's behalf. Whether he agreed in the end or not, his future prospects were immeasurable.

In fact, they had already started entertaining such thoughts when they learned that Chu Xiao had reached the Dou Master realm.

Keep the good water within the family!

As long as a man was strong enough, there was nothing wrong with having three wives and four concubines.

The Xiao Family wanted to secure a place in advance.

There was no relationship more stable than a marriage alliance.

"There's no need to make things so troublesome." Xiao Zhan noticed Xun Er's expression turning unpleasant. Remembering her mysterious and powerful background, he tried to salvage the situation for the three elders. "Xiao'er is my own nephew. Why would we need a marriage alliance?"

"Look at Yan'er. Because of the marriage alliance arranged by our ancestors, it nearly caused a huge disaster."

Xiao Zhan was truly going all out, not hesitating to use Xiao Yan as a negative example.

Upon hearing this, Xun Er's expression immediately softened. At least Xiao Zhan knew what was what. It was not in vain that she had followed Chu Xiao in calling him "Uncle."

"Ahem." Xiao Yan felt awkward and instinctively rubbed his nose.

He had guessed that these elders would discuss something related to Chu Xiao, so he had deliberately come to listen in. He had not expected to be dragged into it just by watching the excitement.

What he had not expected even more was that the elders wanted to discuss a marriage alliance, something very common among clan factions.

But honestly, what woman in the Xiao Family could possibly be worthy of Chu Xiao?

And who could compete with Xun Er?

No one!

"Patriarch, you are mistaken. How can these two matters be compared?" The Grand Elder blew his beard and glared. "Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran's marriage alliance was arranged between their families by the old patriarch. There are many reasons why it was later annulled."

"But Chu Xiao is different. He grew up in our Xiao Family and has feelings for the Xiao Family, but his surname is Chu, not Xiao. If he marries a woman of our clan, then we will truly become family."

"In this old man's opinion, Xiao Yu should be chosen. That girl studies at Jia Nan Academy and has been close to that brat Chu Xiao since childhood. What do you think?"

The corners of everyone's mouths twitched slightly. "..."

Your calculations were practically flying into our faces.

Xiao Yu was your biological granddaughter. If she married Chu Xiao, you really would become family.

"This old man agrees with the Grand Elder." The Second Elder slowly spoke, earning an approving look from the Grand Elder.

But in the next moment, he changed his tune. "However, I think Xiao Mei should be chosen. She is the most talented girl in our clan. Even Xiao Yu was inferior to her at the same age, and she will certainly be able to enter Jia Nan Academy in the future."

"What does a temporary lead amount to?" The Grand Elder immediately retorted, blowing his beard and glaring. "Yu'er wrote that she has an excellent relationship with the instructors at Jia Nan Academy and is receiving special training. She may even glimpse the Dou Ling realm in the future. Choose her."

"If Mei'er goes to Jia Nan Academy, she will surely be valued by the instructors as well," the Second Elder argued.

The boat of friendship between the two elders capsized at the drop of a hat.

Only the Third Elder had no granddaughter, so he quietly watched the show from the side.

"Ahem." Xiao Yan cleared his throat and suddenly said, "May this junior offer a word?"

"Speak!" The Grand Elder and Second Elder both turned to Xiao Yan, their gazes full of pressure.

Yet neither of their gazes was as oppressive as Xun Er's toward Xiao Yan.

"This junior thinks neither Cousin Xiao Yu nor Cousin Xiao Mei is suitable." Xiao Yan pinched his nose.

Xun Er's gaze immediately became much gentler.

Rare for this guy to say something she wanted to hear.

But the next moment, Xiao Yan continued, "I think they would only be suitable together."

How could just one of them compare to Xun Er?

But if it was both sisters—though they were only cousins—there might be a chance.

"Well..." The Grand Elder and Second Elder exchanged a glance, feeling that it was worth considering.

Xun Er: ...

The Xiao Family had already courted death.

Should I just wipe out the entire clan?

"Enough." Xiao Zhan felt a chill run down his spine and said coldly, "There is no need for you to scheme like this. Xiao'er is my own nephew and can be absolutely trusted. Instead of a marriage alliance, it would be better to increase the resources allocated to him."

"Patriarch, increasing resources is fine, but a marriage alliance is more secure. It would be even more solid if they had a child early," the Grand Elder still tried to persuade him.

"Hmph." Xiao Zhan's aura gradually rose. "I am the patriarch."

The elders: ...

The Grand Elder was the most senior among them and could not help replying, "You will regret this!"

Since Xiao Zhan could not be persuaded, he would write to Xiao Yu and tell her to work harder.

A woman pursuing a man was only separated by a thin veil. He refused to believe she would fail.

The council meeting ended on an unhappy note, but the decision to increase Chu Xiao's resources passed unanimously.

After the elders and Xiao Yan left, Xiao Zhan smiled at Xun Er. "Xun Er, their minds are muddled from old age. Don't lower yourself to their level. Your aunt and I are on your side. Rest assured, we won't let them act recklessly."

Xun Er sat upright in her seat, a gentle smile on her face. "Uncle, Xun Er believes you."

"Brother Chu Xiao is destined to become a true dragon soaring above the nine heavens. Not even the Xiao Family—even the Jia Ma Empire or the entire Northwest Continent—can hold him back. It is best not to do anything that would drag him down."

After saying that, Xun Er politely took her leave.

Xiao Zhan's gaze suddenly went blank. "If Xiao'er is that remarkable, then women of the Xiao Family truly are not suitable to be his wives."

Then what about concubines?

At least that would still be a connection, wouldn't it?

Meanwhile, within the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City.

Yun Yun mentioned her encounter with Xun Er to Ya Fei and voiced her feeling. "She seems hostile toward me."

"That's perfectly normal." Ya Fei smiled sweetly. "Sister Yun Yun, you are little brother Chu Xiao's first love, the one who first stirred his feelings. It would be hard for Xun Er not to care."

"You're getting bolder and bolder." Yun Yun glared at Ya Fei, then shook her head. "She has never seen the Diary's contents."

"Not necessarily." Ya Fei propped up her delicate chin with one hand. "You and I both have Diary Copies, and our relationships with little brother Chu Xiao will be far from ordinary in the future. Perhaps Miss Xun Er has one too?"

"I considered that as well, but it is impossible." Yun Yun gently shook her head. "There must be a powerful expert hidden by Xun Er's side. If she knew about my future relationship with Chu Xiao, she might have already..."

"Sister, you're mistaken." Ya Fei interrupted her and met Yun Yun's puzzled gaze. "Not long ago, you wanted to kill me too. So why did you stop?"

Yun Yun:!

That was right. Even if Xun Er truly wanted to eliminate her in advance, she would still have to consider Chu Xiao's attitude.

"Of course, it is also possible that she is hostile toward you simply because you are outstanding. She is instinctively wary. Women are just like men in this regard—they have an especially strong sense of crisis," Ya Fei explained.

After spending some time with her, Ya Fei had discovered that this Dou Emperor renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire seemed to be an emotional idiot—frighteningly innocent and simple-minded.

If this woman locked her in a secret chamber alone with a man, she might not think of anything beyond cultivation.

A foolishly adorable Dou Emperor in a secret chamber?

"Why don't we just test her?" Yun Yun felt they should be more straightforward.

"We should test her." Ya Fei nodded, her red lips curving. "This little sister has a good idea."