With steady steps, Qing Chen held his Command Token and invitation, entering the vermilion gates of Xu Household Manor only after they had been verified.
Unexpectedly, he had barely entered when an abrupt voice rang out behind him, tinged with mockery and provocation:
"Isn't this Xu An? What, did you come specially to see your future sister-in-law today?"
Hearing this, Qing Chen paused. Though surprised inwardly, his expression remained unruffled.
He slowly turned toward the speaker.
He saw a man whose face was as pale as paper, looking as though he had overindulged in lust.
The man was thin, with an ill-intentioned smile curling his lips as he looked Qing Chen up and down.
Somewhat baffled, Qing Chen frowned slightly. "Are you talking to me?"
At these words, the pale man looked as though Qing Chen had trodden on a sore spot, his expression instantly turning ugly.
He abruptly stepped forward and said through gritted teeth, "A mere collateral descendant, yet you dare treat everyone as beneath your notice!
"When someone from the main branch speaks to you, you dare turn a deaf ear! Hmph, do you think you're something special just because you have a little skill in talisman-making?
"I'm telling you, no matter how great your cultivation talent, don't dream of climbing onto the high branch that is the Lin Household's legitimate daughter!
"You're nothing but a toad lusting after swan meat!"
"Oh, understood." Qing Chen's expression remained as calm as still water. He glanced indifferently at the man and prepared to leave.
Those few words from Qing Chen instantly left the pale man shaking all over with rage.
He pointed a trembling finger at Qing Chen.
His lips quivered, but he could not form a complete sentence, only sputtering a few disconnected words:
"You... you collateral... toad...