Fragments, Part Two

The manor courtyard and gardens are filled with layers of rockeries. As dusk falls, a ditch encircles the corridor, reflecting the golden-orange sunset. Many guests walk in, some forming circles, others strolling among the trees.

In an open space in the center of the garden, servants had already set up a long table and were arranging seats for the guests. The chefs were also serving the food in turn, first setting out appetizers, then serving the main course, followed by soups and drinks, and finally bringing out delicate desserts.

The atmosphere was lively, but many guests looked worried and discussed the current state of martial law in hushed tones. One said that orders had been defaulted, another said that costs had skyrocketed, and some guests had already sold off their properties and were preparing to invest outside of Belun in an attempt to cut their losses.

After martial law was declared, goods from Belun could not be shipped out, merchants from other regions could not purchase goods, orders were defaulted, raw materials were in short supply, and the once prosperous city began to decline.

Generally speaking, government directives usually come from industry associations, and these guests are highly capable, making it very easy for them to break martial law.

However, this matter was no ordinary one; the martial law order even came from the city lord's guard, and the Life Spirit Academy seemed to be providing support as well.

Of the four major powers in the Belun region, half are supporting martial law, leaving the trade associations struggling to cope alone. The factions to which these guests belong are simply no match for them.

The family business is declining, and these guests, seeking help, have visited the place multiple times.

Once the Belun Family intervenes, the situation will be evenly matched, even if martial law cannot be lifted immediately. This would allow them to Minimize the scope of martial law and continue doing business.

Of course, the Belun Family has endured for a thousand years, and self-preservation has become an ancestral precept. Even if martial law is imposed for two or three years, the Belun Family can withstand it without having to offend the other two families.

Dianya was initially reluctant to get involved, but as lobbyists frequently visited and rumors circulated in the city, she invited various parties to come and discuss the aftermath of martial law.

For example, when will martial law be lifted, can some checkpoints be opened, and can special cases be handled on a case-by-case basis?

These matters involve numerous exchanges of interests, and among the other forces in the Belun region, only one person can act as a guarantor.

Holding a high position and being Soul Master, she wields immense power and prestige—this is another aspect of Dianya as the owner of the manor.

The preparations were complete by sunset, and the servants immediately lit candles, filling the courtyard with bright light and making the manor as bright as day.

The guests whispered among themselves as the outer gate of the mansion suddenly opened, revealing a beautiful young woman in full regalia, accompanied by a handsome young man. The courtyard fell silent.

Several guests dropped their glasses, and several stared blankly. They recognized Dianya, of course, the renowned Flower of Belun, but who was the boy beside Dianya?

They had never seen the boy before, nor did they know his origins; yet, the sight alone shattered the dreams of many guests.

Dianya has never had any scandals. Some guests who came to propose to her, without even meeting her, have already been firmly rejected.

Attending the banquet, hand in hand.

It's obvious that the unknown young man may have already taken her as his concubine.

"How is that possible?"

Some guests are still resisting and refusing to believe it.

"What refusal? It's all an excuse! You bitch!"

Some guests were furious, hating the Bai Cai and even Dianya.

"This is so sudden, what if it's my cousin...?"

Some guests still held onto hope, thinking that perhaps the boy was just a relative and there was no need to worry.

"In the end, it was all a misplaced trust."

Some guests were already disheartened; they could not pursue, nor did they expect, the engagement. They dared not voice their opposition in public, yet they were unwilling to accept the situation.

Of course, some guests were pleasantly surprised, such as the middle-aged winemaker wearing a silver star.

Gazing at the courtyard entrance, the Silver Star brewer raised his glass, "It actually worked."

Ross mentioned Bai Cai to his niece, praising it highly, clearly hoping to bring them together in marriage.

However, Ross did not believe that this would succeed.

After all, Dianya was not without her own opinions. In the few years since she took over as head of the family, she had made all the decisions herself, without letting her seniors interfere.

Naturally, it's too fast to assume that they've known each other for at most a week.

Ross was very puzzled by this. Even setting aside the family business, his niece was a genius, and her mother was a high-ranking official in Tianshui. There was absolutely no need to worry about her marriage.

The guests were all discussing the matter when they saw Ross raise his glass. A young man in a yellow shirt quickly left his seat and hurried over.

"Father! The boy next to my cousin?"

The young man in yellow asked in a low voice, "I don't think I've ever seen this person in the family before."

"Kete, that boy is my benefactor. He is traveling around. Because of the autumn festival, I asked Tina to arrange accommodations and mentioned that boy."

Ross put down his glass, his tone complex, "Now it seems Tina fell in love at first sight."

"Love at first sight?" The young man in yellow couldn't believe it. "If my cousin fell in love at first sight, our academy would definitely be the champion this year."

"The Life Spirit Academy never participated in the competition; let alone a championship, they didn't even place."

Ross immediately interrupted, then squinted and scanned the courtyard. "Nuozhi is still in seclusion? At a time like this, he's not even out here to take charge."

"So, my cousin might be being coerced. I'll go and test her." The young man in yellow whispered in her ear, "Also, Dean Nuozhi emerged from seclusion the day before yesterday. It's said he's reached a bottleneck and can become Titled Douluo by fusing Soul Ring. The proposed title is Nine Swords."

"Alas, Nuozhi has great ambitions. Once he becomes Titled Douluo, he will inevitably unify the Belun region. And with the City Lord of Gui Yue having just disappeared, I'm afraid his fate is grim."

Ross sighed, "Strength is ultimately more reliable than money. We should also write to Tianshui and ask Tina's mother to return and take charge of the family."

The young man in yellow hesitated slightly, "Lord Mirage Mist hasn't broken through yet, how can he contend with Dean Nuozhi?"

"Kete, Nuozhi doesn't dare to make a move."

Ross raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, then smiled slightly. "Skywater Academy is full of powerful figures. Even if someone becomes Titled Douluo, Nuozhi will have to be wary of them."

The storm brings whirlpools, and whirlpools conceal Torrent. The truth lies hidden beneath the reefs. Belun's situation is far more complex than the case appears on the surface.

In the center of the courtyard, Dianya was negotiating, while Bai Cai sat down and ate heartily. Suddenly, a young man in yellow squeezed in nearby and waved to Dianya.

"Cousin, who is he?"

The young man in yellow spoke bluntly, "He doesn't seem to be from Belun. Why was he allowed to attend this banquet?"

After casually dismissing her sisters, Dianya turned her head away, "Kete, it's not important."

The young man in yellow Kete, said with concern, "Whether it's important or not, there has to be a reason. You don't have to be responsible for the debt of gratitude you owe."

"It's not about taking responsibility, it's about acting from the heart. She's highly qualified, has a lovely personality, and we get along well. Isn't that enough?"

Dianya turned her head and asked in return, "Swearing oaths of eternal love and unwavering commitment? Playing hard to get and being aloof? Is this how love is supposed to be?"

"However, you can only spend a week together at most."

Before she could finish speaking, Kete suddenly stammered, "This kind of thing, this kind of thing..."

Dianya interrupted abruptly, "Time proves nothing. Throughout the week, the boy was very polite, neither pestering nor spying, neither stubborn nor pedantic. I believe this conclusion and enjoy this kind of interaction."

"Kete, don't do anything foolish."

The beautiful young woman smiled gently, lowered her voice, and repeated, "Don't do anything stupid."

The young man in the yellow shirt felt a chill run down his spine. Tina's tone almost reminded him of the past, of the days a few years ago when he was treated like a beast of burden.

Catherine was a devil, Kete immediately felt sympathy for the boy.