This Engagement Should Indeed Be Dissolved

This Engagement Should Indeed Be Dissolved

"Cough." The white-robed elder gave a light cough, rose to his feet, and cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan with a smile. "Clan Head Xiao, we have come to your esteemed clan this time mainly to ask for a favor!"

His words left quite a few people stunned. People from the Misty Cloud Sect were actually asking the Xiao Clan for help?

"Hehe, Mister Ge Ye, please speak freely if you have a matter to discuss. If it is within our means, the Xiao Clan will certainly not refuse."

Xiao Zhan did not dare slight this elder. He hurriedly rose and replied politely, though since he did not know what the other party wanted, he did not dare make his promise too absolute.

"If this is a private matter, Miss Nalan, why not speak somewhere else? Everything can be discussed. Perhaps I may even pay Old Master Nalan Jie a visit someday."

Before Ge Ye could speak, Xiao Yuan suddenly rose. His calm voice echoed through the hall.

Put another way, he meant: You wouldn't want me telling your grandfather how arrogant and overbearing you are, using your status to bully others, would you?

The remark left everyone confused. Even Xiao Zhan did not immediately grasp its meaning and looked at his third son in puzzlement.

Usually, Yuan'er would never do something so discourteous on an occasion like this.

Miss Nalan, Old Master Nalan Jie... Could the young girl beside that elder be his future daughter-in-law, Nalan Yanran?

Just as delight surfaced in Xiao Zhan's heart, he recalled the hidden meaning in Xiao Yuan's words and finally understood.

His Yuan'er might be handsome, but he could not cultivate Dou Qi. Now that this Nalan niece had brought people from the Misty Cloud Sect, they likely had ill intentions!

It seemed Yuan'er had already seen through the crux of the matter. Still, the two families were old friends, and one did not strike a smiling face. After his thoughts turned over, Xiao Zhan maintained a gentle smile. "So it is Niece Nalan. Uncle Xiao has not seen you for many years. Do not blame your uncle for failing to recognize you."

The three elders exchanged glances, their brows involuntarily furrowing...

Nalan Yanran had clearly not expected Xiao Yuan to see through her intentions so directly, much less seize the initiative and say something that put even her in a difficult position.

It was like two elementary school students having an argument, when one of them suddenly said, "I'm telling the teacher on you!"

It was simply a killing blow.

For a moment, she could not think of how to respond. Moreover, Xiao Zhan was her elder and had spoken to her with such kindness, so she could not simply ignore him. She could only force a somewhat stiff smile and say,

"Uncle Xiao, it is I who should apologize for never coming to pay my respects. How could I dare blame Uncle Xiao?"

Ge Ye, who had handled affairs for many years, naturally knew that what they were doing today was improper. According to their plan, if the Xiao Clan refused, they might even have to borrow the Sect Leader's name to pressure them with their power.

Yet Xiao Yuan's words had indeed set his mind working.

Though the Xiao Clan was nothing to the Misty Cloud Sect.

He did not think much of it either.

But the Xiao Clan's boy truly knew how to read the situation. His mind was clearly far beyond that of an ordinary person. Since he already knew the purpose of their visit, he apparently wanted to preserve the Xiao Clan's dignity and would surely make the right choice.

Under such circumstances, Ge Ye naturally did not mind doing the Xiao Clan a favor. Perhaps there would truly come a day when the Xiao Clan proved useful! Having reached his current strength and status, he naturally understood when to make concessions and when to make choices.

"Hehe, since that is the case, then this is a private matter between our two families. Why not follow Yuan'er's suggestion and let you two young people have a proper talk first? Yuan'er had to take charge early because he cannot cultivate. Although he has not yet held his Coming-of-Age Ceremony, he can already decide his own affairs."

Xiao Zhan's smile deepened as he continued.

Ge Ye naturally wanted to agree, but Nalan Yanran, the Young Sect Master, was the most important person on this trip. He did not dare make the decision himself and could only hope that Nalan Yanran would make the more rational choice.

The meaning in Xiao Zhan's words was clear enough. Nalan Yanran was not foolish, and she now understood that neither Xiao Yuan nor Xiao Zhan would likely refuse to dissolve the engagement.

As for his supposed visit to her grandfather, it sounded like a threat, but it was actually just a helpless remark born of powerlessness. Even if she truly used her status to pressure them today, Xiao Yuan was a cripple who could not cultivate. Whether he could even arrive alive at the Imperial Capital would be questionable. At most, her grandfather would merely scold her a little.

Seeing it this way, she suddenly found Xiao Yuan somewhat adorable.

It had to be said that Xiao Yuan's handsome face and rational words had left a rather good impression on Nalan Yanran.

Just as men were rarely too harsh toward beautiful women, women also tended to be more tolerant of handsome men.

What was more, in Nalan Yanran's eyes, Xiao Yuan was not only handsome but also sensible. As the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, she ought to be more generous.

With that thought, Nalan Yanran, feeling that everything was under control, revealed a sweet smile. "Of course. That is only proper."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan, seated behind Xiao Yuan, could not help curling his lip.

Only proper? Then why had she made the Xiao Clan put on such a display the moment she arrived? If Third Brother had not been quick-witted, the Xiao Clan's face would have been utterly disgraced by now.

With that kind of judgment, she was not worthy of being his sister-in-law at all! "Miss Nalan, please follow me."

Xiao Yuan nodded at her words, then turned and headed outside.

"Mm."

Nalan Yanran gave a slight nod and followed Xiao Yuan out of the hall, strolling along the path through the rear courtyard.

Nalan Yanran looked at the handsome young master in white ahead of her, a trace of regret flickering in her eyes.

From what she had seen so far, aside from his inability to cultivate, she was rather satisfied with the third young master of the Xiao Clan to whom she had been betrothed since childhood.

Everyone loved beauty.

It was simply impossible for Nalan Yanran to disregard Xiao Yuan's appearance.

But likewise, she did not want to marry a cripple. Strength was also an important criterion when she considered her future partner.

"Miss Nalan, you came to break off the engagement, didn't you?"

Xiao Yuan's calm voice rang out, drawing Nalan Yanran's attention back.

As though sensing that the girl behind him found it difficult to speak, Xiao Yuan continued,

"This engagement was arranged by the old masters of our two families. But plans cannot keep up with change. Now, I truly am not worthy of Miss Nalan, the Young Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect. Besides, you and I have barely met and have no feelings for one another, so naturally there is no question of marriage."

At this point, Xiao Yuan deliberately paused. Just as Nalan Yanran behind him was about to say something, he suddenly turned around, stared into her eyes, and declared in a firm voice,

"So this engagement should indeed be dissolved."