As soon as Mu Tingying said this, everyone present paused.
Especially her parents, who at that moment felt the urge to give her a couple of slaps.
This foolish daughter was clearly somewhat spoiled; otherwise, what kind of brain would she have to say such things in a setting like this?
Her mother, Madam Zhou, was extremely displeased and coldly scolded, "What on earth are you blabbering about?!"
Mu Tingying was indeed a darling. Even though her mother's tone had changed, thinking of Chen Lang's attitude just a moment ago, she still insisted, "I don't like him, and I won't marry him..."
Seeing that her foolish daughter was still persisting, Madam Zhou instantly wanted to slap her.
However, the moment she raised her hand, Elder Chen Jin said indifferently, "Since Miss Mu has taken no fancy to my nephew, let this marriage alliance be dropped right here."
Although the Great Chen Clan was not rooted in the Imperial Capital, throughout the entire country, which Great Clan did not have to show them some basic respect?
Your Mu Clan claimed to be here for a marriage alliance, but in truth, the moment you arrived, this matter was practically settled.
Yet your own daughter said such things in public?
This was simply not giving face to the Great Chen Clan!
Under these circumstances, Chen Jun, a direct-line elder, naturally would not maintain a pleasant tone anymore.
The middle-aged man from the Mu Clan also furrowed his brows deeply, never expecting that his own family would have such a foolish direct descendant!
"Elder Chen Jin, the child knows nothing. This time it is my Mu Clan's fau—"
Chen Jun looked toward the other party with a face full of mockery. "The Mu Clan truly lives up to its name as a powerhouse of Great Xia; an eighteen-year-old maiden still does not understand basic etiquette..."
Mu Bing felt somewhat awkward and glared resentfully at Mu Tingying's family.
This matter was not merely between two children; moreover, just as Chen Jun had said, an eighteen-year-old young woman was actually this ignorant of etiquette?
However, staying here any longer was certainly inappropriate. Mu Bing maintained a respectful attitude and said, "Regarding this matter, my Mu Clan will definitely give the Chen Family an explanation. We will take our leave for today."
"Walk slowly, and don't see you out."
As the Mu Clan party departed, the corners of Chen Lang's mouth curled up slightly.
This Mu Tingying really didn't disappoint him!
He had already found it quite annoying, but now it was settled—even if he didn't agree, his family members wouldn't be able to say much.
Only after dismissing the people from the Mu Clan did Chen Jin look toward Chen Lang. "Xiao Lang, you don't need to take this matter to heart. We will definitely make the Mu Clan give an explanation."
After all, he was the darling of the Chen Clan's new generation.
To have suffered such humiliation just now!
"Oh, Uncle Jun, it's fine."
Chen Lang's expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. Seeing this, Chen Jin felt a slight trace of satisfaction in his heart.
Tap, tap...
Tap, tap...
Just as Chen Jin wanted to offer some comfort, a faint ripple suddenly swept through the grand hall.
Immediately afterward, everyone saw the white-haired and white-bearded Patriarch, Chen Jin, walking in from outside the hall, his figure flickering in and out of view.
Clearly he was walking normally, yet with every single step he took, everyone felt as if their very hearts were being trodden upon!
Although no one had ever stated what tier of powerhouse Chen Jin currently was, Chen Lang guessed that he should at least be at the Forbidden Curse Level, right?
Yet due to certain rules of this world, many people might be unwilling to expose themselves even if they did become forbidden-curse existences...
The Patriarch hadn't appeared earlier because the people sent by the Mu Clan simply weren't qualified for him to host them at his level.
"Patriarch."
Seeing Chen Jin arrive, everyone stood up and bowed in greeting. Even though Chen Lang disliked it, he did the same.
In his past life, he had never engaged in such behavior.
Of course, it might also have been because his past life's family was small and humble, and didn't practice these customs.
"Li Yan, Chen Lang, stay. Everyone else may withdraw," Chen Jin instructed with a wave of his hand immediately upon arrival.
Hearing Chen Jin's command, the various elders bowed once more and departed in acknowledgment.
Once they left, Chen Lang looked at Chen Jin with a puzzled expression.
He didn't understand what purpose the Old Master had in keeping only him and Li Yan behind.
The head butler, Li Yan, walked over at this moment and stood beside Chen Jin, seemingly not bothering to ponder the reason.
The majesty on Chen Jin's face slowly receded at this moment, replaced instead by a gentle expression as he inquired, "Xiao Lang, do you know why I kept only you behind?"
"I don't know." Chen Lang shook his head.
Chen Jin didn't mind and continued, "A marriage alliance with the Mu Clan might not be strictly necessary, but if we are to gain a foothold in the Imperial Capital, the upkeep we ought to have is still required."
Hearing what the Old Master had said, Chen Lang's mind became much clearer, and he bitter-smiled. "Was the Old Master... observing me just now?"
Chen Jin seemed to be reminiscing, a trace of sorrow flashing across his aged face before he spoke. "Although your parents sacrificed themselves for the family, it was also somewhat related to my arrangements... I originally wanted you to live a life of complete freedom. However, because of your exceptional talent, I had no choice but to push you to take up the heavy burdens of the Chen Family. Therefore, I must still pay attention to your major life events in marriage."
Chen Lang was not a heartless person, but in his first year of arriving in this world, still at an age where he loved to sleep, his parents in this life had already ascended to the heavens.
Therefore, to be honest, he didn't feel all that deeply about it.
Naturally, even without the companionship of his parents in this life, aside from having to learn certain annoying rules of etiquette during his childhood, his upbringing had still been quite relaxed and comfortable.
"You seem to have some prejudice against the girl from just now?"
Since the Old Master already knew, Chen Lang simply spoke his mind. "You saw her as well, Old Master—what kind of person she is..."
"That girl's character is indeed poor, but she is a direct descendant of the Mu Clan..."
Chen Lang could tell that the Old Master had his best interests at heart. Thus, he stopped hiding and beating around the bush, stating bluntly, "Old Master, I know your good intentions, but I don't need these things. If a marriage alliance is truly necessary, I would rather choose Mu Ningxue, who has recently risen to prominence in the Imperial Capital Academy."
If he really had to choose a fixed partner, it might as well be Mu Ningxue.
Although Mu Ningxue was not a direct descendant and even suffered plotting from certain individuals within the Mu Clan.
Yet if she had him as a fiancé, the outcome might turn out quite differently. Her talent went without saying... Well, never mind, Chen Lang was running out of things to make up; he simply fancied her for her looks quite purely.
Since he had already come to this world, what would be the point of coming here if he didn't pick the best?
"Mu Ningxue? Which family does she belong to?" Chen Jin asked with some confusion, turning his head.
"Uh..."
Li Yan fell silent for a brief moment before speaking up. "I've heard she is a girl from a remote branch of the Mu Clan. Just like Young Master Chen Lang, she possesses an innate talent with a Companion Spirit Seed."
"A remote branch?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jin directly ignored the so-called innate talent and said with some dissatisfaction, "A country girl, how could she ever be worthy of you?"
Although Mu Ningxue also came from a clan, there were levels to clans as well.
Families from minor cities like Bocheng couldn't even be considered ants when placed before the Chen Clan.
"Old Master, I have my own reasons for choosing her," Chen Lang immediately said.
"Oh?"
Chen Jin didn't reply, but he was clearly waiting for Chen Lang's 'reason'.
Chen Lang: What is the reason... Online waiting, super urgent!
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