As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Zhuqing froze on the spot, staring blankly at him with her large, watery eyes. The other leaders of the various forces also looked at him and the Star Luo Emperor with strange expressions.
The Zhu Family became the most powerful noble family in the Star Luo Empire because their Martial Soul were compatible with the Zhu Family Dai Family's, and the two families frequently intermarried, making them inextricably linked.
Zhu Zhuqing has been betrothed to the Second Prince Dai Mubai since childhood, a fact known to all the nobles of the Star Luo Empire, so Lin Chen couldn't possibly be unaware of it!
However, Lin Chen, knowing the relationship between the two, still said he would marry Zhu Zhuqing, showing absolutely no respect for the Star Luo Emperor.
At this moment, the Star Luo Emperor's lips twitched violently, his face looking as if he had eaten excrement, and his two large hands under the table were clenched tightly, but even so he still tried to remain calm.
Below
Zhu Zhuyun, the older sister who bore a striking resemblance to Zhu Zhuqing, gritted her teeth, her jealousy burning fiercely. From a young age, she had secretly compared herself to her younger sister in every way: their Martial Soul, their cultivation speed, the age of their Soul Ring rings, and even the status of their partners.
He thought that after successfully arranging a marriage with the eldest prince of the Star Luo Empire, he would have the opportunity to severely suppress Zhu Zhuqing, but he never expected that the little bitch would be noticed by the Emperor of the Spirit Hall.
Lin Chen is someone who even Titled Douluo have as concubines and servants!
Jealousy, burning within, gradually intensified...
"This..." Zhu Zhengxiong pretended to be hesitant. It wasn't that he didn't want his youngest daughter, Zhu Zhuqing, to marry Lin Chen; he really wanted to, extremely wanted to. However, the Zhu Family and the Dai Family family were too deeply involved. Their current status was entirely given to them by the Dai Family, so the Zhu Family couldn't openly slap the Dai Family in the face.
" Emperor Majesty, my daughter is already engaged to the Second Prince of the Star Luo Empire, and I'm afraid it's difficult for me to agree."
Upon hearing Zhu Zhengxiong's refusal, Star Luo Emperor breathed a slight sigh of relief. As long as the Zhu Family stood with the Dai Family, there was hope that their royal family's reputation could be preserved.
"Really?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. " Zhu Family, what era are we living in? Why are you still using that kind of arranged marriage nonsense?"
Star Luo Emperor hurriedly replied, " Your Emperor, you are unaware that the marriage alliance between our Dai Family and the Zhu Family has existed for hundreds of years. Today, our two families are practically inseparable."
"I see." Lin Chen smiled faintly. "Since that's the case, I naturally won't force you. However... this matter is ultimately between me, Zhu Zhuqing, and the Star Luo Empire. Why not let Zhu Zhuqing choose? If she's willing to continue fulfilling the marriage agreement between your two families, then I won't interfere any longer. If Zhu Zhuqing isn't willing, hehe... then no one can stop her from marrying me!"
How was it?
Zhu Zhengxiong leaned close to Star Luo Emperor and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Second Prince and Zhu Zhuqing have been together for a long time and have a deep affection for each other. I think we should let Zhu Zhuqing choose."
In truth, he hoped his daughter would choose Lin Chen, because that way his Zhu Family could be like Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire, having their cake and eating it too!
Regardless of whether the Spirit Hall wins or the two great empires and the Upper Three Sects emerge victorious, the Zhu Family will have a way out...
"Hmm." The Star Luo Emperor revealed a confident smile, "Very well, then let Zhu Zhuqing choose. Zhu Zhuqing, this concerns your fate and that of your family, you must... choose carefully!"
On the other side
Liu Erlong was frantically helping Lin Chen out, not only pointing out many of Lin Chen's good qualities, but also indirectly mentioning Dai Mubai's quirks.
Since Dai Mubai abandoned her without hesitation a few days ago, Zhu Zhuqing had been utterly disappointed in him, and her beautiful, aloof face slowly fell.
From a young age, she was never in control of her own life. She cultivated and learned court etiquette, got engaged to strangers she didn't like, and was ostracized and suppressed by her own blood relatives. This shaped her aloof personality.
For the first time, she had the right to choose, a privilege afforded to her by that handsome young man, even if the choices were limited...
"I want to..."
At this moment, everyone in the hall was on edge, including the Star Luo Emperor, while Lin Chen and Ling Yuan remained calm and composed, because no matter what Zhu Zhuqing chose, he would not let her go.
In this dog-eat-dog world, strength is everything! However, Lin Chen didn't threaten Zhu Zhuqing with strength or power; instead, he gave her a choice, even though the outcome was already predetermined...
After all, Zhu Zhuqing's own choice and what she obtained through coercion are two different things.
" Brother Lin Chen is getting married!"
As soon as he finished speaking, apart from Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhengxiong, almost no one present was happy, especially the Star Luo Emperor, whose lips twitched violently and he coughed a few times, almost unable to catch his breath.
"Hahaha..." Lin Chen laughed confidently, his large hand casually encircling her slender waist, his right hand raising a cup of spiritual wine and drinking it all in one gulp:
"From this moment forward, Zhu Zhuqing is my fiancée! You two, you have no objections, right?"
Zhu Zhuqing's delicate body stiffened slightly, but she didn't struggle. She leaned into his arms, watching him chat and laugh with the Star Luo Emperor and her stern and ruthless father. Her heart trembled slightly. From now on, she would be his woman...
Star Luo Emperor glared at Zhu Zhengxiong beside him, who also showed a troubled expression. After all, we can't afford to offend the Dai Family, and we can't afford to offend the Emperor of the Spirit Hall even more. We've already made an agreement, and Zhu Zhuqing has agreed. Even if you kick me to death now, I wouldn't dare to turn against the Emperor!
Lin Chen looked at Zhu Zhengxiong with a half-smile, "Patriarch Zhu Family, Zhu Zhuqing has already agreed, you wouldn't be unwilling, would you?"
Zhu Zhengxiong quickly shook his head. "Of course I wouldn't dare."
"And what about the Great Emperor?"
To snatch someone's daughter-in-law in public and then ask if the other party is willing—that's power and influence!
Star Luo Emperor forced a smile, "Since Your Emperor likes Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuqing also has feelings for Your Emperor, then naturally I have no objection."
"Since none of you have any objections, then Zhu Zhuqing is mine from now on!"
Tap tap!
"I have a problem with that!"
At that moment, Dai Mubai, a burly man with golden hair, strode into the hall, his face extremely grim. " Your Emperor, Zhu Zhuqing and I are childhood sweethearts, and we are about to be married. Isn't what you're doing a bit too much?!"
Zhu Zhengxiong reprimanded, " Mubai, watch your tone! This is the Star Luo Empire Palace, not your own private palace!"
Star Luo Empire glanced at his second son indifferently, without reprimanding him. He had been humiliated in public and couldn't even refute it himself. Since that was the case, he would vent his anger through the words of the younger generation!
"Heh..." Lin Chen chuckled lightly, not even glancing at him, but instead asked Zhu Zhuqing in his arms, " Zhu Zhuqing, he said you two are getting married, is that true?"
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him indifferently and explained in a cool tone, "We did grow up together, but the engagement was arranged by my father and the Emperor, not my intention, and I have no intention of marrying him."