Repudiating His Wife

After Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er sat down, Xiao Zhan smilingly introduced him to Nalan Yanran. "Niece Nalan, this little rascal is Xiao Yan. You young people have plenty in common, so you should get to know each other better."

Clearly, Xiao Zhan intended to bring Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran together.

Although he had noticed that Xiao Xun'er had also developed feelings for Xiao Yan, her origins were mysterious. She was far beyond the Xiao Clan's reach.

In particular, the middle-aged man who had brought Xiao Xun'er to the Xiao Clan ten years ago had seemed unfathomable to Xiao Zhan.

Thus, even though Xiao Zhan would have preferred Xiao Xun'er as his daughter-in-law, he had to admit that Nalan Yanran was a better match for Xiao Yan.

Even with Nalan Yanran accepted as a disciple by the Misty Cloud Sect Master, Xiao Zhan did not believe his son was unworthy of her.

Besides, the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Family had been friends for generations, and Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were already betrothed. What was this if not a match made in heaven?

Unfortunately, events did not unfold as Xiao Zhan had imagined.

When the white-robed Ge Ye saw that Xiao Yan, the person at the heart of the matter, had arrived, he was surprised by the air the young man exuded, but he did not forget the purpose of his visit.

He gave a light cough, rose, and cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan.

"Clan Leader Xiao, the young sect master and I have actually come today to ask a favor."

Ge Ye's actions made Xiao Zhan and the three elders frown slightly. They instinctively sensed that something was wrong.

But as the head of a clan, Xiao Zhan still replied calmly, "What favor might that be, Mr. Ge Ye? Given Niece Nalan's relationship with our Xiao Clan, we certainly would not refuse."

Xiao Zhan's courteous words only made the three visitors from the Misty Cloud Sect feel uncomfortable.

As the person directly involved, Nalan Yanran felt her pretty face grow hot.

After all, they had come to break off the engagement.

Ge Ye soon regained his composure, however. After considering his words briefly, he gestured toward Nalan Yanran and let out a long sigh.

"As it happens, this matter concerns Yanran."

"Clan Leader Xiao, you should know that our Misty Cloud Sect maintains strict discipline, and the sect master has exceedingly high expectations of Yanran. She is already being groomed as the next sect master.

And our Misty Cloud Sect's rules forbid the young sect master from having any involvement with men before formally taking over as sect master, so..."

Although Ge Ye did not finish, his meaning was already clear.

They... had come to break off the engagement!

In an instant, Xiao Zhan and the three Xiao Clan elders turned livid.

Having the bride's family come to one's door to break off an engagement was an immense humiliation on the Dou Qi Continent.

It not only damaged Xiao Yan's personal reputation, but also slapped Xiao Zhan and the entire Xiao Clan in the face.

The whole hall erupted into a commotion, and the looks everyone directed at Xiao Yan changed considerably.

Half were regretful, while the other half gloated over his misfortune.

The cooked duck had flown away!

Hahahaha!

Most of those thinking this were young men in the clan who disliked Xiao Yan.

Naturally, Xiao Ning was foremost among them.

But since he was sitting right beside Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning restrained himself carefully, afraid of getting beaten afterward.

He now understood the gap between himself and Xiao Yan, but that did nothing to ease his resentment.

After all, Xiao Yan had stolen his wife!

Unfortunately for Xiao Ning, he saw none of the anger or embarrassment he had expected on Xiao Yan's face.

Instead, Xiao Yan watched the scene before him with considerable interest, a trace of nostalgia for his previous life surfacing in his eyes.

What year was this again?

Unlike the composed Xiao Yan, however, Xiao Zhan and the three Xiao Clan elders were not so accommodating.

Xiao Zhan looked darkly at Nalan Yanran. Suppressing his anger, he asked in a low voice, "Niece Nalan, is this your wish as well?"

Nalan Yanran remained silent for a moment.

To be honest, Xiao Yan had indeed given her a different impression.

But she still intended to break off this engagement.

She would decide her own destiny!

"I only wish to control my own destiny. Please understand, Uncle Xiao Zhan, and let Xiao Yan and me..."

"Dissolve our engagement!"

Nalan Yanran raised her head, her delicate, refined face full of stubbornness and her gaze resolute.

Crack!

Before her words had finished echoing, the teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand shattered, spraying tea everywhere.

"Good, good, very good. How enviable that Nalan Su has a daughter like you."

Xiao Zhan's cold gaze settled on Nalan Yanran. His voice was icy, and Dou Qi surged around him. His aura swept over the entire hall like a tiger released from its cage.

Everyone in the hall paled. The weaker Xiao Clan disciples, such as Xiao Ning and Xiao Mei, felt an especially powerful pressure.

Alarmed, Ge Ye stepped forward to shield Nalan Yanran behind him.

An equally powerful aura erupted from his body, momentarily standing against Xiao Zhan's on equal footing.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

The three Xiao Clan elders also snorted coldly and turned their gazes toward Ge Ye in unison.

But before the three could act, the clash between Ge Ye's and Xiao Zhan's auras had already ended.

Thud, thud!

Suddenly, Ge Ye, a Seven-Star Great Dou Master, went pale as though struck by lightning. His aura plummeted, and his entire bearing wilted.

Ge Ye pointed at Xiao Zhan, his expression grave.

"Nine-Star Great Dou Master!"

"Clan Leader Xiao, you truly have impressive means!"

"However, the sect master has approved Yanran's request, so please consider this matter carefully."

In the original story, Xiao Zhan had not possessed the strength he displayed now. But after three years of special assistance from Xiao Yan, his cultivation had naturally advanced by leaps and bounds.

Not only Xiao Zhan, but the three elders had also made progress of their own.

It could be said that the current Xiao Clan was stronger than its counterpart in the original story by far more than a little.

Yet even this Xiao Clan was still insignificant before the Misty Cloud Sect.

Thus, Ge Ye did not believe Xiao Zhan would continue holding out.

Xiao Zhan merely snorted coldly, however. Ignoring Ge Ye, he turned his gaze toward Xiao Yan below.

Seeing that the young man had not only avoided being blinded by anger, but even had the leisure to watch the show, he felt relieved, yet also shot him a glare.

So I stood up for you for nothing, you little rascal!

Xiao Yan gave a sheepish smile at this, knowing it was time to step forward.

After all, he was the one whose engagement was being broken.

Xiao Yan rose and looked calmly at Nalan Yanran opposite him.

"Miss Nalan, I can understand your actions, and I am willing to accept them..."

Hearing the first part, both Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran looked delighted, inwardly praising Xiao Yan for being reasonable.

But the next instant, Xiao Yan changed tack.

"However, that is on the condition that Old Master Nalan also agrees and comes here in person to discuss it with my father.

Not that you rely on the Misty Cloud Sect's backing to force your way to our door and break off the engagement.

In acting this way, have you considered my dignity or that of the entire Xiao Clan?

If word of today's events spreads, won't outsiders all think our Xiao Clan is easy to bully?"

Xiao Yan preferred courtesy before force.

If reason truly failed, he knew a thing or two about using his fists and feet as well.

Listening to Xiao Yan, Nalan Yanran lowered her head slightly in guilt.

After hearing him lay it out, she too recognized the error in how she had handled this visit.

But having already come this far, how could she possibly back down?

Otherwise, it would be the Misty Cloud Sect that lost face.

Having thought it through, Nalan Yanran took a deep breath and raised her head resolutely to meet Xiao Yan's eyes.

"I, Nalan Yanran, did indeed fail to consider this properly. I am willing to apologize, and I have brought a gift to make amends.

However, I must break off this engagement today."

"Hahahaha, good!"

"That is precisely what I want as well. But you will not be the one breaking off the engagement. Instead, I will-"

"Repudiate you as my wife!"