Rumors Abound

"Mm, then I'll have to trouble you."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded, his gaze passing over Xiao Yu before landing on Xiao Yan, who was surrounded by a group of children in the distance.

Xiao Yan had his head held high, like a victorious little rooster, basking in everyone's flattery and praise.

"This brat..."

Nalan Chenfeng curled his lips and withdrew his gaze.

There was no need for him to interfere with Xiao Yan's experiences during this stage of his growth. The same went for his younger sister, Nalan Yanran.

Without the three-year agreement and the pressure of the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan might not truly complete his transformation, and his younger sister might not truly learn her lesson either.

As for how to make the two resolve their conflict in the end and fulfill their marriage contract, that was not particularly difficult for him.

During the years when Xiao Yan's Dou Qi strength fell and remained at the Third Stage of Dou Qi, he would be at his most amenable. Nalan Chenfeng would offer him some encouragement and support.

As for Nalan Yanran, he would not cover up her mistakes either. When she came to regret them, a little guidance would resolve certain problems.

But all of this rested on the premise that he possessed sufficient strength. Without strength, even one's own family might not think much of him, and his words and actions would carry no conviction.

Xiao Yan between the ages of eleven and fifteen would be a living example of that.

Those who flattered Xiao Yan today would one day teach him a vivid lesson in the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

"It's no trouble. Yu'er is very happy to be able to help Brother Chenfeng."

Xiao Yu was overjoyed at Nalan Chenfeng's thanks.

"Mm, then keep a close eye on him from now on."

Nalan Chenfeng came back to himself and nodded.

Although Xiao Yu was only seven, she was the granddaughter of the Xiao Clan's First Elder and held considerable influence among the younger generation of the Xiao Clan.

He could also see through her intention in approaching him. It was nothing more than the Xiao Clan elders' instruction; they wanted to establish ties with the Nalan Clan.

Thus, to Xiao Yu, his words could be considered an imperial decree. She would certainly carry them out seriously.

"Brother Chenfeng, when are you returning to the imperial capital?"

Xiao Yu pursed her little lips.

"Soon. I'll stay for no more than two more months."

Nalan Chenfeng answered truthfully.

He was a member of the Nalan Clan and could not remain in the Xiao Clan forever. This time, his purpose in coming to the Xiao Clan had basically been achieved. After waiting another two months, it should be about time.

With Xiao Yu watching over him from then on, Xiao Yan would presumably settle down completely.

As for how difficult Xiao Yan's future path would be without Xiao Xun'er's support, that was not something he needed to consider right now.

Who could say for certain what the future held?

"Ah... so soon?"

Xiao Yu blinked. "Then... then will Brother Chenfeng come to Wu Tan City again in the future?"

"Of course I will."

Nalan Chenfeng smiled. "My sister Yanran and Xiao Yan still have a marriage contract. There will be no shortage of dealings between us in the future."

"That's good."

Xiao Yu answered softly, lowering her head as her little hands fidgeted.

"I should go back and cultivate."

Nalan Chenfeng paid no attention to Xiao Yu's subtle thoughts and turned toward the edge of the square.

"Cousin Xiao Yan..."

Not long after Nalan Chenfeng left, Xiao Yu clenched her little fists and ran all the way toward the Xiao Clan First Elder's courtyard.

For the next period of time, the Xiao Clan and even all of Wu Tan City remained exceptionally peaceful.

Nalan Chenfeng's arrival thoroughly confirmed the relationship between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Clan, causing the Oba Clan and Jia Lie Clan within Wu Tan City to no longer dare act rashly against the Xiao Clan or start any conflicts.

The reputation of the Nalan Clan, one of the Jia Ma Empire's three great clans, as well as Nalan Jie, the Lionheart Marshal and one of the empire's ten great Dou Wang experts, served as an invisible deterrent to the clans of Wu Tan City.

After being taught another lesson by Nalan Chenfeng and seeing Xiao Yu move into Xiao Xun'er's courtyard, Xiao Yan finally settled down completely. He no longer sneaked over to Xiao Xun'er's courtyard at night.

Nalan Chenfeng was quite satisfied by this and openly declared that he had found the right person.

However, before Nalan Chenfeng could be happy for long, he heard some bad news.

"Brother Xiao Yan touched all over my body. When I grow up, of course I have to marry him."

Looking at Xiao Mei, who was about the same age as Xiao Xun'er and still innocent and ignorant, Nalan Chenfeng's delicate little face was filled with coldness.

Xiao Yan clearly possessed a mature soul, yet he insisted on making a move on this little girl. Though he did indeed have the intention of experimenting with Dou Qi, why had Xiao Yan not chosen a boy instead? That alone was enough to reveal his hidden thoughts.

Among the Xiao Clan girls, other than Xiao Xun'er, only Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei stood out somewhat. But Xiao Xun'er had been blocked off by him, while Xiao Yu was older than Xiao Yan and not so easily deceived. At his instruction, she had even become the one monitoring Xiao Yan.

Thus, Xiao Yan did not dare try anything with her and could only settle for the next best option: Xiao Mei.

"Brother Chenfeng...?"

Xiao Ning scratched his head as he watched Nalan Chenfeng stare motionlessly at Xiao Mei.

Since the day before yesterday, the news had spread like wildfire among their group of companions. Xiao Mei herself had said it, but he had not expected Brother Chenfeng to react so strongly.

"Take her away..."

Nalan Chenfeng's little face tightened as he headed directly toward Xiao Yan's courtyard.

The adults would not care about what Xiao Mei had said. After all, they were only children a few years old. Xiao Yan only needed the excuse that he was experimenting with Dou Qi to brush it off perfectly.

Only older little girls would begin to be wary. Though Xiao Mei was young, spreading the news was clearly her way of proclaiming her claim over Xiao Yan within the Xiao Clan.

Perhaps that was an instinct Xiao Mei had at her current age, as if Xiao Yan were her most beloved toy and no one else was allowed to touch him.

It was also possible that her parents or elders had secretly encouraged it. Xiao Yan was now exceptionally talented and the son of the Xiao Clan Chief; his future was almost visible before their eyes.

In those people's eyes, even if Xiao Mei were to become Xiao Yan's concubine in the future, it would still be better than marrying someone else.

Xiao Yan's courtyard.

The noon sunlight slanted down, baking the blue bricks on the ground until they were scorching hot.

Xiao Yan sat on a stone bench beneath the large tree in the courtyard, one leg crossed over the other, holding a book on the Dou Qi Continent and flipping through it with great interest.

Bang!

The courtyard gate was kicked open.

Xiao Yan jumped in fright, nearly dropping the book in his hand. Just as he was about to flare up, he looked up, and his face immediately turned several shades paler.

Nalan Chenfeng stood at the gate in a moon-white robe, backlit by the sun. There was no expression on his little face, but his ink-black eyes churned with a chill Xiao Yan had never seen before.

"B-Brother Chenfeng?"

Xiao Yan instinctively shrank back. "Y-you, why are you here?"

Nalan Chenfeng said nothing. He strode into the courtyard, every step landing heavily.

Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. Instinctively sensing danger, he leaped off the stone bench and backed away.

"Brother Chenfeng, if you have something to say, say it properly..."

"Say it properly?"

Nalan Chenfeng sneered coldly.

"Xiao Yan, let me ask you. What is going on with Xiao Mei?"

Xiao Yan froze. His gaze could not help but shift away as he stammered,

"X-Xiao Mei? What happened to her?"