Is That Really True?!

Su Qian understood his old friend's difficulties. A son-in-law as "suitable" as Xiao Yan was not easy to find. As one of the Pill Tower's five great families, the Ye Clan possessed resources and influence coveted by countless people. Rashly entering a marriage alliance would merely be inviting wolves into the house and drinking poison to quench thirst.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment. Then Xun'er spoke:

"Elder Ye, there is no need to worry so much. I do not think this matter is beyond remedy."

At those words, Ye Zhong, who looked as though he wanted to crush space itself between his furrowed brows, immediately became interested. Su Qian said from the side:

"Xun'er, just say whatever you have in mind. I trust you would not speak without reason."

Hearing this, Ye Zhong quickly realized from his years of friendship with Su Qian that this young woman's background was not as simple as Xiao Yan's. He quietly took note of it, though what he cared about more now was what Xun'er had to say.

"Forgive Xun'er for speaking out of turn. The Ye Clan's problem is that you must rank among the top three in the next Pill Tower assessment. The marriage agreement Elder Ye mentioned is only meant to have Brother Xiao Yan help with this matter. Since that is the case, why not change the marriage agreement into a contract? When the time comes, simply have Xiao Yan represent the Ye Clan in the assessment."

After hearing this, Ye Zhong's eyes gradually brightened. Su Qian stroked his beard and laughed.

"That is indeed true. Old Ye, when the time comes, just tell everyone that Xiao Yan is your granddaughter's husband. Once the assessment is over, the matter will be settled. The Pill Tower cannot possibly investigate whether your son-in-law ran away afterward, can it?"

Ye Zhong's expression showed both temptation and hesitation. This was indeed a good solution, though it would deal a blow to the Ye Clan's reputation. But then again, before the survival of the clan, what did reputation matter?

Xun'er smiled and delivered the final blow. "The Great Elder is right. Besides, while I have faith in Brother Xiao Yan, what if he fails to meet the assessment's requirements? Wouldn't setting the marriage agreement now needlessly leave the Ye Clan with one less way out?"

Ye Zhong understood at last. That was indeed the case. They would only need to put on an act when the time came. At most, they would invest some resources in Xiao Yan. The resources needed to cultivate a seventh-tier alchemist were nothing to the Ye Clan. What mattered was finding someone who could become a seventh-tier alchemist!

As long as Xiao Yan could help the Ye Clan through this crisis, this deal would be an enormous profit!

With that thought, Ye Zhong smiled as well and said to Xiao Yan, "This old man had been too caught up in the matter. Since you already have a marriage agreement, then so be it. However, I hope that when the time comes, young friend Xiao can represent my Ye Clan in that assessment."

Seeing that he had finally avoided the matter, Xiao Yan let out a breath of relief and bowed. "Elder Ye, rest assured. If Xiao Yan truly has the ability when the time comes, I will certainly lend you a hand!"

Having received Xiao Yan's answer, Ye Zhong appeared quite satisfied. "Good. Do not worry, my Ye Clan will not treat you unfairly. The Ye Clan will provide whatever you need for your future pill refining. You need only focus on improving your alchemy."

After pondering for a while, Ye Zhong continued, "In about half a year, the Pill Tower will hold its disciple recruitment examination. Spend these six months studying in the Ye Clan first. Then you may have a chance to become a disciple of the Pill Tower."

Naturally, neither Su Qian nor Xiao Yan objected to Ye Zhong's arrangements. Once the matter was settled, both Su Qian and Ye Zhong felt a weight lift from their hearts. Before long, they sent the three juniors away and resumed their conversation.

Xiao Yan and Xun'er left the courtyard with Xin Lan. Xin Lan was shy by nature, and after the scene earlier, she did not dare say much to them. After softly saying farewell, she fled as though flying.

Watching the girl flee in disarray, Xiao Yan was rather speechless. Anyone who did not know better would have thought she was the guest, while they were the hosts driving her away.

Now that no one else was around, Xun'er looped her arm through Xiao Yan's and teased, "What are you still looking at? Do you regret it now that you have seen how pretty she is, Brother Xiao Yan?"

Xiao Yan knew Xun'er was joking, so he merely pinched her little nose. "You little rascal, you are talking nonsense again. No matter how pretty she is, she cannot compare to my Xun'er!"

Xun'er's face flushed at once, and she hurriedly shook off Xiao Yan's hand.

"Why... why compare her to me? Brother Xiao Yan, you are bullying me again!"

After saying that, she ignored Xiao Yan and walked straight ahead, leaving him standing there in confusion, unable to understand how he had offended this young mistress again.

However, Xun'er's little moods came quickly and went quickly. Xiao Yan caught up to her and said a few words, and she was soon beaming again, back to her usual self...

"By the way, Xun'er, thank you for earlier. Otherwise, I really would not have known how to refuse Elder Ye. I cannot believe you came up with such a reason. Your reaction was really quick."

Yet after Xiao Yan said that, he discovered that Xun'er was staring at him with an odd expression, making him feel a little guilty.

"Xun'er, why are you looking at me like that? Did I not wash my face properly?"

Seeing that Xiao Yan had not realized at all what foolish thing he had said, Xun'er gave a bitter smile and rubbed her forehead.

"That is why I said Brother Xiao Yan is an idiot. Your marriage agreement is real! Have you forgotten?"

Xiao Yan was utterly shocked. "What the heck did you just say!?ﾟДﾟ"

Then a name popped out of Xun'er's mouth, one syllable at a time:

"Na-lan-Yan-ran!"

That name seemed like a key, unlocking a distant memory in Xiao Yan's mind:

It was from when he was six or seven years old, playing house with Xun'er and Xiao Mei...

"Father, both Xun'er and Xiao Mei want to play my wives. Who should I choose?"

"What? Hahaha, you children can just play among yourselves. Why ask me?"

"No, no! This is a lifelong matter for the future Xiao Clan Head. Father, you have to decide!"

"Hahahaha... Yan'er, do you truly want Father to decide for you?"

"Yes!"

"Then—neither of them will do!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Yan'er, your grandfather arranged a marriage for you years ago, so your future wife has already been decided!"

"Eh? Who is it?"

"That child's name is—"

"Na-lan-Yan-ran!"

That was where the scant memory ended. Only then did Xiao Yan recall that his father had mentioned it once. But how old had they been back then? Xun'er was even younger than him. It was truly hard on her to remember it!

"Father seems to have mentioned it... Is there really such a person?"

Xun'er nodded. "Absolutely. I looked into it carefully. The Nalan Clan holds great power and status in the Jia Ma Empire, so quite a few people throughout the empire know about your marriage arrangement!"

Xiao Yan immediately clutched his head. He now deeply understood how Xin Lan had felt earlier. Who could accept having a wife suddenly drop from the sky?

"Why had Father never mentioned it to me again after that?"

"Eh? Probably because Brother Xiao Yan was too young back then. If you had not gone to Canaan Academy, then in another couple of years, they would have had you start preparing for it."

The last shred of hope in Xiao Yan's heart shattered. Crushed by cruel reality, he no longer wanted to speak. Xun'er, on the other hand, looked positively delighted.

"Why are you so depressed, Brother Xiao Yan? I know that your fiancée is also a little genius. It seems she has already entered the Misty Cloud Sect to study. What else could you possibly be dissatisfied with?"

Xiao Yan did not ask how Xun'er knew all this. In his eyes, Xun'er was practically omniscient. He merely said with a bitter expression:

"Is this even a matter of being satisfied or not? Who could accept such a sudden marriage agreement?"

"It is not sudden. It was decided when you were born—no, before you were even born..." Xun'er added with a wicked grin.

Choked speechless by Xun'er, Xiao Yan paused for a moment, then gloomily patted his face. His voice became more serious.

"I have thought it through. I will not go through with this marriage! When I return home next time, I will make things clear to Father. No matter what, I have cultivated to this day because I seek freedom and a life lived as I please. I will never marry a woman I do not love!"

Having made up his mind, Xiao Yan strode forward. Knowing his temperament, Xun'er stood frozen in place. She could tell that Xiao Yan had been serious just now!

For Xiao Yan, that decision was utterly defiant and reckless, but Xun'er could not stop a radiant smile from appearing on her face. Then she hurried after him...

"Brother Xiao Yan, you really will not marry her?"

"I will not!"

"But Uncle Xiao will be angry."

"We will deal with that later!"

"Then who is the person Brother Xiao Yan wants to marry? The person you like?"

"...I do not know..."

"Tell me, tell me! Xun'er wants to know. Please tell me~o(〃＾▽＾〃)o"

"You seem especially happy today..."

"Hehe(＾ｖ＾)"