She's Coming! She's Coming!

Just as Xiao Zhan had said, the next morning, before the sky had even brightened, the entire Xiao Clan was bustling with activity, from Xiao Zhan down to the lowliest servants.

However, even now, the protagonist of this grand drama, Xiao Yan, had no idea what was happening.

"Mr. Ning, what is going on today? Why is it so lively so early in the morning?"

Xiao Yan stepped into the solemn hall and, seeing Ning Chen—the only person sitting calmly and leisurely sipping hot tea—could not help but step forward to ask out of curiosity.

Upon hearing this, Ning Chen chuckled.

"As the Third Young Master of the Xiao Clan, how can you be unaware of such a major event in your own home, yet come to ask an outsider like me?"

"Uh..." Xiao Yan was momentarily speechless, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.

He couldn't exactly say that because his Dou Qi had faded, no one took him seriously anymore, except for his father and Xiao Xun'er, could he?

"Brother Xiao Yan!"

At this moment, Xiao Xun'er stepped gracefully into the hall, first calling out to Xiao Yan with enthusiasm.

She then caught sight of Ning Chen to the side; even though she felt wary and displeased in her heart, she maintained basic etiquette on the surface and gave a slight nod.

"Mr. Ning, good morning."

"Mm."

Ning Chen returned a faint smile, ready and waiting to watch the show.

"Xun'er, you should know what is happening in the clan today, right?" Xiao Yan asked.

Xiao Xun'er froze upon hearing this, a clear look of displeasure flashing in her eyes, but since Xiao Yan had asked, she couldn't very well say she didn't know.

"I heard from the clan elders that it seems someone from the Yunlan Sect is coming..."

"People from the Yunlan Sect?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled. "What would people from the Yunlan Sect want at my Xiao Clan?"

"..."

Xiao Xun'er fell silent. Should she just say that the person coming is Nalan Yanran, your fiancée, and that she likely comes with ill intent, and it's highly probable that it isn't anything good?

If she said it like that, wouldn't it be too heartbreaking for Brother Xiao Yan?

Just as Xiao Xun'er hesitated, Xiao Zhan, the three elders, and a group of core Xiao Clan disciples filed in, and the previously spacious hall suddenly felt crowded.

"Everyone, find your seats. Our distinguished guest will arrive soon." The Third Elder swept his gaze across the room and commanded coldly.

Everyone sat down as instructed, and soon, an awkward scene unfolded.

It seemed everyone had tacitly "ignored" Xiao Yan, as not a single person had left a seat for him.

"Heh..." A familiar coldness and self-mockery welled up in Xiao Yan's heart.

It seems my status in the clan really is going from bad to worse. In the past, I could let it slide, but today, right in front of Mr. Ning... these three old things are deliberately trying to humiliate me.

Watching Xiao Yan standing there motionless, the young people of the clan around him could not help but let out mocking laughter.

On the other side, Xiao Zhan, who had been exchanging pleasantries with Ning Chen, saw his son suffer such humiliation; his face instantly turned as dark as water, and his fists tightened quietly.

"Little Brother Xiao Yan, if you don't mind, come sit here."

Ning Chen rose leisurely, gave Xiao Yan a gentle smile, and pointed to his own seat, which was in a prime position for a guest of honor.

"Mr. Ning, this..."

The three elders' expressions changed upon seeing this, looking somewhat bewildered and confused, unable to fathom what kind of relationship Ning Chen had with Xiao Yan.

Xiao Zhan, however, felt a surge of joy. You old geezers dare to reject my face, but do you dare to reject Mr. Ning's?

"Many thanks, Mr. Ning."

Xiao Yan was flattered but felt puzzled in his heart. Why did Mr. Ning help him repeatedly? When did their relationship become so close?

"But if I take your seat, you..."

"It is of no consequence." Ning Chen waved his hand nonchalantly, his smile remaining warm.

"I am merely a guest of the Xiao Clan; sitting in the seat of honor might seem like usurping the host's role. A corner is quiet, which suits me just fine."

His words were sincere and graceful, warming Xiao Yan's heart so much that he almost teared up.

Look! What is a good person? This is it!

However, Xiao Yan's emotion lasted only for a fleeting moment.

He watched as Ning Chen left his seat, swept his gaze across the hall, walked straight toward a corner, and then... sat down with complete naturalness in the empty chair beside Xiao Xun'er.

"..."

The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth twitched imperceptibly. Looking at the sight of Ning Chen and Xiao Xun'er sitting side by side, he suddenly felt that the guest-of-honor chair was burning his backside.

He really wanted to say, "I'd rather sit in the corner," but under the urging of Xiao Zhan's gaze, he had to bite the bullet and sit down.

"Miss Xun'er, good morning."

Ning Chen turned his head and greeted the young girl beside him, who was emitting a faint, delicate fragrance, with a gentle tone.

Xiao Xun'er's body tensed for an imperceptible moment, yet she maintained a light, proper smile on her face.

"Mr. Ning, good morning."

"The Xiao Clan is certainly bustling with distinguished guests today."

Ning Chen seemed not to notice her coldness, speaking to himself while his gaze curiously studied the girl's exquisite profile.

"I just wonder, what brings this honored guest from the Yunlan Sect here? Miss Xiao Xun'er is brilliant and sharp; surely you have already guessed the reason?"

Alarm bells rang in Xiao Xun'er's heart. What is this guy trying to do by suddenly getting so close to me?

"Sir, you flatter me. How could I possibly know the business of the Yunlan Sect?"

"Is that so? But I have heard that this Miss Nalan Yanran who has arrived shares a... rather deep connection with young brother Xiao Yan?" Ning Chen chuckled lightly.

"A marriage contract set in childhood... tsk tsk, that is rare indeed. After all, the Dou Qi Continent is ever-changing and unpredictable. Who knows if a clan thriving today might end up broken and destroyed by tomorrow?"

"When that time comes, a mismatch in status will be good for no one."

Xiao Xun'er's heart shook violently. Her slender fingers tightened around her teacup, her knuckles turning white.

How does this guy know everything?! Did Uncle Xiao tell him, or has he known all along?

And that! What did he mean by that last sentence? Was he alluding to the Xiao Clan's predecessor, the Xiao Tribe?!

Watching the shifting expressions in Xiao Xun'er's eyes and the continuously increasing surprise value in his system, Ning Chen chuckled inwardly.

Just as Xiao Xun'er was pondering how to respond to Ning Chen's words, a series of somewhat hurried footsteps sounded from outside the hall. A guard of the Xiao Clan stepped in quickly, bowed, and reported, "Patriarch, Elders, the honored guest from the Yunlan Sect has arrived at the gates!"

In an instant, the entire hall fell deathly silent. Everyone's gaze shot toward the entrance, and the atmosphere became heavy to the point of suffocation.

Xiao Zhan exchanged a look with the three elders, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice, "Invite them in at once!"

A moment later, under the gaze of many, several figures appeared at the entrance of the hall.

The person in the lead was a young girl dressed in moon-white robes.

She was not old, perhaps fourteen or fifteen, with a stunningly beautiful face. Green jade pendants hung from her delicate earlobes, swaying slightly to emit a crisp sound, adding a touch of elegance.

She stood tall with an innate air of arrogance. Although she tried to restrain it, the sense of superiority stemming from the Yunlan Sect and the Nalan Clan still leaked out inadvertently.

On her chest was embroidered three gold stars, representing her strength—a three-star Dou Zhe!

It was none other than the young mistress of the Yunlan Sect, Nalan Yanran!

Her gaze was cold and scrutinizing as she slowly swept across the members of the Xiao Clan in the hall.

However, when her eyes passed over Ning Chen in the corner, she paused for a split second, a flash of confusion crossing her eyes before she returned to her indifferent expression.

A round of formulaic introductions and polite pleasantries took place amidst the oppressive atmosphere.

The smile Xiao Zhan squeezed onto his face was somewhat strained, and the three elders were even more cautious.

Nalan Yanran was polite, yet she maintained a faint sense of detachment and condescension throughout.

Xiao Yan, the protagonist of this grand drama, also learned of Nalan Yanran's identity from their conversation.

In an instant, looking at Nalan Yanran's current attitude and the grave expressions of his father and the three elders, a thought suddenly popped into his mind.

Nalan Yanran has come to the Xiao Clan to break off the engagement!!

Xiao Yan's expression changed, and a surge of anger rushed through his heart. This anger was not because Nalan Yanran wanted to break the engagement and he could no longer marry such a beautiful woman.

He thought Nalan Yanran was very beautiful, but he was not an idiot controlled by his lower half; being dumped was merely a matter of regret.

But if she truly requested to break the engagement in front of everyone, his father's reputation as the patriarch would be completely ruined!

From then on, not only he, but his father and the entire Xiao Clan would become a laughingstock, fodder for idle gossip!

Finally, after a cup of tea was finished, Ge Ye, who had come with Nalan Yanran, set down his cup, stood up, and looked at Xiao Zhan in the main seat.

"Ahem." Ge Ye coughed lightly, cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan, and smiled, "Patriarch Xiao, the main reason for our visit to your clan today is that we have a request!"

Inside the hall, everyone's heart jumped into their throats.