Taking Off the Mask, Stunning All Beings!

The Ning Family wanted to sever ties with her?

At those words, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

After all, Ning Hongye was not being married off as a female general of the Vermilion Bird Army, but as the eldest daughter of the Ning Family.

The Ning Family was a military aristocratic house that had produced dozens of famed generals. Though it could not compare to the ennobled Xiao Family, it was still one of Great Xia's foremost powerful clans.

The three hundred thousand soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Army were practically the Ning Family's private army. With troops under its command and power concentrated in its own hands, it was a true regional military powerhouse.

And now, the Ning Family was actually willing to risk offending the imperial family just to cut off all ties with Ning Hongye...

But soon, everyone recalled that not long ago, Ning Hongye had killed her own father in the Outer Regions. The Ning Family's elders had likely been furious for a long time!

Once she returned to the family, her military authority would surely be stripped away, and she would suffer punishment!

If that happened, Xiao Yang, her Fiancé, would be dragged down with her!

King Zhenbei naturally understood the stakes. He frowned deeply and looked toward Princess Fuyao.

"Eldest Princess, my Xiao Family is a royal house, after all. We were originally marrying the eldest daughter of the Ning Family, but now... what do you think should be done about this marriage?"

The implication was clear: he wanted to call off the wedding.

Previously, the two families had been evenly matched. But judging from the attitude revealed by the Ning Family, Ning Hongye's circumstances would likely become difficult from now on. She might even be expelled from the family and reduced to a commoner.

If that happened, she would no longer be worthy of Xiao Yang, the Prince!

"Since Your Highness says so, then..." Princess Fuyao was about to speak.

"Father King, I am willing to marry her!"

Suddenly, Xiao Yang's resolute voice rang through the entire venue.

"Jiu Lang, what did you say?"

King Zhenbei furrowed his brows, his face darkening with obvious displeasure.

"Father King, this marriage was bestowed by His Majesty. As the saying goes, a ruler's word is never spoken in jest! It is clearly those old fools of the Ning Family who refuse to follow the rules and defy the imperial decree. That is the crime of deceiving the emperor!"

The moment Xiao Yang spoke, every word rang with force, stunning the entire audience.

King Zhenbei's expression eased somewhat as well.

That was right!

His Majesty had bestowed this marriage. Even if the Eldest Princess now held power, she likely could not alter His Majesty's decision on his behalf.

"Besides, I want to marry Ning Hongye because the Ning Family does not belong to those old fools—it belongs to her! She alone is enough to represent the Ning Family!" Xiao Yang added.

Well said!

Amid the crowd, Azure Luan silently praised him in her heart.

Beside her, a strange glimmer flashed through Ning Hongye's beautiful eyes.

She had long been dissatisfied with those stubborn old fossils in her family. Simply because she was a woman, the elders had opposed her serving as commander of the Vermilion Bird Army.

Her father had protected her before, but now that he was dead, she had no one to rely on...

Yet Xiao Yang's words made her see him as a kindred spirit!

That was right...

The Ning Family did not belong to those old fossils. It belonged to her.

"Then let us continue!" Princess Fuyao declared.

With the Eldest Princess having spoken, Xiao Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

What a joke.

Ning Hongye was the target bound to his system—she was his golden finger.

If the marriage were called off, how was he supposed to keep playing this game?

Next.

The ceremony continued, and before long, it reached its final step: bowing to Heaven and Earth.

Xiao Yang and Ning Hongye stepped before the main hall, their eyes meeting.

Even though she wore a mask, Xiao Yang could still picture the peerlessly beautiful face beneath it.

The master of ceremonies was about to proceed with the final ritual.

But Xiao Yang did something unexpected and proclaimed loudly, "Hongye, today is our Engagement Ceremony!"

"From this day onward, whether in prosperity or hardship, wealth or poverty, health or sickness, I will forever protect you and cherish you!"

On Blue Star, this wedding vow was classic, but nearly everyone knew it by heart. It had long become a cliché.

But in this world, it was still remarkably unconventional and profoundly moving.

Then, Xiao Yang took Ning Hongye's hand of his own accord and continued in a clear voice:

"Though mountains crumble away,"

"Though rivers run dry,"

"Winter thunder rumbles,"

"Summer rain turns to snow,"

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"Heaven and earth unite..."

"Only then would I dare part from you!!!"

The moment those words were spoken, the winds and clouds changed color.

Rumble!

Somewhere in the unseen, even the heavens seemed to sense Xiao Yang's resolve.

"So touching, so romantic!"

"They say the Ninth Young Master is exceptionally gifted in literature, the reincarnation of the Wenqu Star. Seeing him today, the rumors are indeed true!"

"I never thought there could be such a devoted man in this world! If I could find a Husband like that, my life would not have been in vain!"

Many of the young women present revealed longing expressions, utterly moved by this unwavering devotion.

Even Princess Fuyao was somewhat touched.

As for Ning Hongye, she stood where she was without saying a word, but the trembling rise and fall of her chest was enough to reveal the turmoil in her heart.

[ Ding! Ning Hongye's Affection +5, total: 40 ]

The system notification rang by Xiao Yang's ear.

He had gained Affection again!

"Xiao Lang, the vow you just made is also mine!"

Ning Hongye's voice was not loud, yet it carried extraordinary conviction, as though she were making a promise for life.

Though she was not good with words, her personality was exceedingly stubborn.

Once she set her mind on something, even if thousands tried to stop her, she would never retreat!

Yet on the other side, Xiao Yang's mind was filled with the way she had just called him "Xiao Lang"!

She called me darling...

After working so hard for so long, he had finally heard it!

Just one word—absolutely freaking awesome!

At that moment, the master of ceremonies prepared to announce the final ritual. After bowing to heaven and earth, the newlyweds would be sent back.

"Hold on!"

Suddenly, Princess Fuyao spoke. "Ning Hongye, today is your wedding day, yet you are wearing a mask. What kind of propriety is that?"

Hearing this, Ning Hongye frowned, unsure how to answer.

"Reporting to the Eldest Princess!"

Xiao Yang immediately stepped forward to defuse the situation. "My wife was injured when she was young, and her face was affected. It is inconvenient for her to be seen, so I hope for your understanding!"

Of course, he knew about Ning Hongye's peerless beauty, but out of a man's possessiveness, he had no desire to let other men see her.

He only wanted to keep her beauty to himself!

However, Princess Fuyao frowned and rebuked, "I have come today as the Imperial Envoy, representing His Majesty. To appear before His Majesty while wearing a mask is the crime of deceiving the sovereign. Remove your mask at once!"

Her every word contained an irresistible will.

"Eldest Princess, I agree!"

Ning Hongye nodded helplessly.

Though she intended to raise an army in rebellion, the situation was stronger than she was for now.

First, she was injured, and could only wield thirty percent of her cultivation.

Second, her power had not yet taken shape. If she openly fell out with the imperial family now, it would only affect her chances later.

"Xiao Lang, you are my Husband. You should remove my mask," Ning Hongye said.

"Alright!"

Xiao Yang nodded.

In the distance, Xiao Junlin and the other young masters all wore gloating expressions as they whispered among themselves.

"Hmph, what's the use of Ninth Brother being handsome? What's the use of being able to compose poetry? In the end, didn't he still marry an ugly freak?"

"Exactly! They say Ning Hongye was disfigured long ago, her face covered in knife scars like centipedes. She could probably scare someone to death!"

"Marrying such an ugly wife, he'll probably wake up terrified from nightmares every day! Hahaha..."

Xiao Yang ignored their mockery and sneers. He stepped forward and gently removed Ning Hongye's mask.

Then, a peerlessly beautiful face that had been hidden for many years was revealed before everyone's eyes.

Unmatched elegance!

Enough to make heaven and earth pale, enough to rival the sun and moon in brilliance!

The venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted with thunderous cries of astonishment.

"Wow!!!"