Our Mittel Family Girls Are Better Than the Nalan Family's

Nalan Residence.

"Father! How is Grandpa?"

Wearing a moon-white robe, Nalan Yanran, looking slightly travel-worn, pushed open the door and entered, her voice almost overflowing with worry.

The atmosphere inside was rather heavy, making it hard to breathe.

"He's been unconscious for two days! I've already started recruiting alchemists; hopefully, I'll be lucky enough to find one with a Heavenly Flames!"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man in the room gave a wry smile and said helplessly.

"Hmm." Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran quickly ran to Nalan Jie's side, looking at the old man with a dark complexion and weak breath, her eyes glistening with tears.

A moment later, the two walked out of the gloomy house and into the courtyard. The fresh air made them breathe a sigh of relief.

"Father, when I came back just now, I saw that someone was cleaning the mansion across the street. Has someone taken over the job?"

Nalan Yanran frowned slightly and asked in confusion.

"I don't know the specifics, but I heard it seems to be related to the Mittel Family. Imperial Capital is incredibly valuable in the capital, and only they could afford such a project."

Nalan Su shook his head upon hearing this, and said listlessly.

Now that Nalan Jie is critically ill, it's really hard for him to muster any interest in anything else.

"Master, the alchemists have been arriving one after another."

At this moment, an elderly man who looked like a butler walked over from the corridor, bowed, and slowly spoke.

"Okay, I understand!"

Nalan Su nodded, and then prepared to go to the front hall.

"Father, I want to go too!"

Nalan Yanran naturally had a very deep affection for her grandfather, who had doted on her since childhood, and quickly echoed his words.

"Okay, sure."

Nalan Su nodded in agreement and led Nalan Yanran toward the front hall.

Upon entering the main hall, one can see numerous figures dressed in alchemist robes; judging from the badges on their chests, these people are all third-grade alchemists! "Sorry to keep you all waiting!"

As soon as Nalan Su entered the hall, he put on an apologetic smile and said loudly.

Meanwhile, on the main street Nalan Residence, Xiao Yuan and Hai Bodong walked unhurriedly, attracting the attention of almost everyone on the street.

At this moment, Xiao Yuan was dressed in a white brocade robe with silver thread, white boots with flowing cloud patterns, and his black hair was tied up with a white gauze crown. His already handsome appearance was further enhanced by his clothes, making him appear even more otherworldly, like a celestial being descended from heaven.

Such beauty would leave even the most worldly-wise people in the Imperial Capital in awe.

"Whose son is this? He's so handsome!"

"They probably aren't from the Imperial Capital, are they? The Alchemist Convention is coming up soon, so maybe they're young masters from other nearby empires!"

"So handsome!"

"I noticed that the elderly man next to him also retained his charm."

"Pfft, you're really hungry!"

After using Listening to the Wind's Whisper slightly, Xiao Yuan filtered out the noisy sounds and couldn't help but glance at Hai Bodong beside him with a playful expression.

"Hai Lao, tsk tsk, it seems that the Imperial Capital's development over the past twenty years has really paid off!"

Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong, dressed in an ice-blue brocade robe, with flowing white hair and a face that had fewer wrinkles, glanced at Xiao Yuan expressionlessly.

He was genuinely offended.

"Tsk, to be honest, I really don't want to help that Nalan Old Master personally. If I can actually cure him, I'll be too embarrassed to ask them for payment."

Xiao Yuan pursed his lips and said with a hint of helplessness.

He definitely wants to get his hands on the Nalan Family's Seven Illusions Green Spirit Saliva.

But while it was one thing for him to come to the door to break off the engagement, given his personality, he really couldn't bring himself to ask for compensation.

The Nalan Family may disregard the Xiao Clan's feelings, but Xiao Yuan doesn't have that kind of shamelessness.

Before leaving home, Xiao Zhan had mentioned that Xiao Lin and Nalan Jie had a really good relationship back then, and Xiao Zhan and Nalan Su could even be considered childhood friends.

The Xiao Clan values relationships above all else. No matter what the Nalan Family does, the Xiao Clan will still maintain proper etiquette. However, after this incident, the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Family will completely sever all ties. Any future interactions will be conducted in a purely official manner.

When he first left home, Xiao Yuan didn't take it to heart, but now, after these days of experience, Xiao Yuan has come to understand the deeper meaning behind his father's words.

With Xiao Yuan's current strength and the number of powerful figures behind him, the Nalan Family is no longer the prestigious imperial family that he would have been considered to be of high status by marrying into.

As a strong person, or at least as someone with the mindset of a strong person, he had absolutely no need to take his anger out on the entire Nalan Family because of a little girl's mischief, making things ugly and known to everyone.

Simply put, if others are rude, it's their own fault for being ill-mannered, but our family is well-mannered and we won't stoop to their level.

However, there is little hope for the relationship between the two families to return to what it was many years ago, at least in Xiao Yuan's generation.

Moreover, Xiao Yuan didn't want any private interactions with Nalan Yanran anymore—he was afraid Yun Yun would misunderstand.

"Hehe, if you don't want it, then don't. In my opinion, it doesn't matter if you don't save Nalan Jie. If someone had been humiliated like this when I was young, I'm afraid their whole family would have turned into ice sculptures."

Hai Bodong responded indifferently upon hearing this.

"It can't be that bad, can it? Things didn't turn out that badly after all?"

Xiao Yuan smiled indifferently upon hearing this.

But Hai Bodong shook his head. "Before I left, I got your information from Teng Shan and got a general understanding of it."

At this point, he looked at Xiao Yuan and smiled meaningfully, "Would you like to hear it?"

"Hai Lao, just speak frankly. You're not one to keep things to yourself."

Xiao Yuan smiled and said upon hearing this.

"You kid!" Hai Bodong chuckled and shook his head upon hearing this, then continued, "The family first gathered information about you from Ya Fei. I must say, your business acumen surprised me."

Initially, the family's attitude towards you was just that of a decent partner. You know, your Xiao Clan wasn't a major power in Wutan City at the time, but the family's assessment of your abilities was still quite good.

Then came the matter of Nalan Yanran announcing her engagement. Although you suppressed this matter in Wutan City, it was no secret in the Imperial Capital. Back then, Nalan Jie had driven Nalan Yanran out of the house several times because of this.

This was quite a big deal in the Imperial Capital! It wasn't until later, when Ya Fei began to report that your cultivation talent was starting to emerge, that it finally caught Teng Shan's attention.

As for what happened later, I'm sure you know.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Although Sister Ya Fei mentioned it to me, well, I didn't live in the Imperial Capital back then. Let her make a fuss. She, Nalan Yanran, is immature, but am I immature?"

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Yuan smiled indifferently, but his impression of Nalan Yanran worsened considerably.

"Speaking of which, what's your opinion on this matter Hai Lao?"

Suddenly, Xiao Yuan asked with a smile, seemingly quite interested.

"Me?" Hai Bodong was taken aback when he heard this, then pondered for a moment and said, "From Nalan Yanran's perspective, it is understandable that she wants to pursue freedom. I was somewhat similar to her back then."

But being born into a large family and enjoying its benefits means having to give back to the family in return. To put it bluntly, if she hadn't met you, Ya Fei's fate would have been nothing more than an arranged marriage, marrying a man she might not even like.

But then again, although I only know her from today's meeting, I'm sure that if Ya Fei were given the same conditions, she wouldn't have made things so ugly. Besides, you're not the type to climb the social ladder.

Of course, this is also related to family upbringing. The patriarch of my Mittel Family does not look at bloodline, but at ability and merit, the most fundamental discernment. Most of the young girls in the Nalan Family grew up in a pampered environment, so it is not surprising that they behave this way.

While the Nalan Family is among the three great families, they ultimately lack a strong foundation, so it's understandable that they lag behind in this aspect.

Hai Bodong's assessment seemed fair, but in reality, his words implied that the girls from the Nalan Family were inferior to the girls from his Mittel Family.

Xiao Yuan couldn't help but smile at this, then said seriously, "Hai Lao, you don't even have this much confidence in me? This time, I'll trouble you to come along as my elder. Although you're not Xiao Clan, I've learned your Dou Technique, so I should treat you with the respect due to a teacher."

"Hehe, then I'll shamelessly become your teacher this time!"

Hai Bodong nodded with a smile upon hearing this.

"Not just once, but ever since then, you have always been one."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan first shook his head, then said seriously.

"Hehe, good, good, good!" Hai Bodong stroked his beard, nodding with satisfaction, his smile so wide he could hardly close his mouth.

"Arrive."

Xiao Yuan stopped and looked at the grand mansion with the three large characters "Nalan Residence" hanging high in front of him, and said softly.

But "so many low-level alchemists?"

Looking at the numerous alchemists below the third rank gathered at the main gate, Xiao Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, and a look of realization appeared in his eyes.

It seems that the Nalan Family hopes to find an alchemist with a Heavenly Flames.

Although Xiao Yuan is not yet an alchemist, he possesses Heavenly Flames, and his Fire Energy is far superior to those whose soul perception is inferior to his.

Xiao Yuan's arrival immediately attracted the attention of a group of alchemists. Some were surprised, some were disdainful, some were jealous, and some were curious.

But everyone understood without prior agreement that the handsome young man before them was no ordinary person.

The steward of the Nalan Residence, who was still recruiting alchemists at the entrance, was naturally aware of this.

So he quickly walked over, put on a friendly smile, and said politely, "Young master, I am the steward of the Nalan Family. Our Nalan Residence does not receive guests recently. If that is why you have come, I apologize to you."

"Hehe, butler, please inform him that Xiao Yuan from the Xiao Clan of Wutan City has come to visit Miss Nalan, Uncle Nalan Su, and Old Master Nalan Jie."

Xiao Yuan smiled slightly upon hearing this, and then said calmly.

These words immediately drew everyone's attention.

A hint of surprise flashed in the old steward's cloudy eyes; he knew all too well who Xiao Yuan of the Xiao Clan in Wutan City was.

Over the years, our young lady has been kicked out of the Nalan Family many times because of the owner of this name.

But this person is Xiao Yuan? He certainly has a handsome appearance! I heard he's a genius student at the Jia Nan Academy!

However, given his abilities, he naturally couldn't see through Xiao Yuan's level. But he knew that Miss had indeed mentioned that Xiao Yuan and she had made some kind of Three-Year Agreement, and now, judging by the time, it was about time.

"So it's Young Master Xiao. Please wait here for a moment while I go and inform him."

The butler nodded, then turned and quickly walked inside.

Xiao Yuan watched him leave, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

The old stewards of the Nalan Residence all possess the strength of Da Dou Shi, and they have been doing quite well in the Imperial Capital over the years.

It should be noted that Steward Mo of the Xiao Clan is only a Dou Shi).

"Hehe, I've really embarrassed myself following you this time, having to wait at the door."

Hai Bodong chuckled coldly from the side, making a sarcastic remark.

"Hehe, it's a pity for Hai Lao."

Xiao Yuan smiled upon hearing this.

"Tch, whatever, that's normal in the Imperial Capital. Ignorance is no excuse, but judging from this, the Nalan Family clearly doesn't care about your Xiao Clan at all."

Hai Bodong waved his hand dismissively upon hearing this, then changed the subject.

"If he doesn't want to talk about it, then he doesn't have to. If he does, I'd feel bad not doing the same!"

Xiao Yuan, on the contrary, breathed a sigh of relief and said with a faint smile.

"You're Xiao Yuan?"

A young alchemist stepped forward with a mocking expression.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan instinctively felt something was amiss. Could this guy be a die-hard fan of Nalan Yanran?

His gaze swept over the badge on the young man's chest. Hmm, a lowly Second-Rank Alchemist.

"What's up?"

Xiao Yuan asked with a rather indifferent expression.

I heard about you.

Before he could finish speaking, the alchemists who were about to watch the spectacle were horrified to see the mocking alchemist frozen into an ice sculpture by the black, frigid air.

"Don't listen to rumors. A Second-Rank Alchemist really thinks he's something special?"

After casually tossing the unsightly ice sculpture aside in a sun-baked open space, Xiao Yuan said something indifferently and then looked at the alchemists standing to the side with boredom.

These alchemists weren't all fools. Seeing Xiao Yuan easily freeze a Dou Shi, Second-Rank Alchemist, into an ice sculpture, they immediately understood that this genius student from the Jia Nan Academy was indeed quite powerful. In the future, he would probably at least be a Dou Wang level expert, while they might not be able to reach the Fifth Grade Alchemist in their lifetime. Such a person was not someone they could afford to offend.

So they quickly avoided Xiao Yuan's gaze, acting as if it were none of their business.

Tap tap tap.

A slightly hurried sound of footsteps came from inside the door, followed by a burly figure who stepped out first and laughed loudly, "Nephew Xiao has come from afar. The servants are ignorant and made you wait outside the door. This is really impolite. Please don't hold it against the servants, since your uncle is here to welcome you personally."