Chapter 428 - 223: Brothers in Misfortune, Count Me In?

Chapter 428: Chapter 223: Brothers in Misfortune, Count Me In?

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Qi Heng clicked his tongue, shaking his head with a look of undisguised amusement in his eyes.

"Wei, you really don’t know how to appreciate a kind gesture. I was merely trying to remind you to face reality. How did I become the villain here?"

Wei Jing’s face was grim, his gaze fixed on Qi Heng like a bolt of cold lightning. The aura around him surged faintly, as if he were about to draw his sword at any moment.

To suffer such a great humiliation today, and for it to be witnessed by his sworn rival, not only stung his heart but was also a sharp thorn driven deep into his pride.

But Qi Heng was completely unbothered; deep down, he was overjoyed.

Seeing Wei Jing in such a miserable state was more satisfying than a breakthrough in his own Cultivation.

With that said, Qi Heng ignored the simmering Wei Jing and straightened his robes. A gentle, refined smile returned to his face as he walked over to Nie Lingxi.

Qi Heng had no particular obsession with either of the Nie Family’s legitimate daughters.

What he truly valued were the benefits that came with a marriage alliance to the Nie Family.

Nie Lingxi was of the Great Elder’s direct bloodline. Marrying her would be of immeasurable benefit to his own future in Zhenyuan Palace and even across all of Yunzhou.

Seeing that Nie Lingshan had already declared her heart belonged to Chen Sheng, he immediately adjusted his target.

"Miss Lingxi, I am Qi Heng. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Qi Heng cupped his fist in his other hand, his posture exceedingly modest.

"And how may I help you, Young Master Qi?"

Nie Lingxi returned a faint smile, her gaze calm.

"Zhenyuan Palace and the Nie Family have always been on good terms. In fact, our paths cross often, and our interests are intertwined."

Qi Heng’s tone was sincere as he looked directly at Nie Lingxi.

"To be honest with you, miss, I have long admired your talent and grace. Having met you today, I see the rumors don’t do you justice. Since the Nie Family intends to form a marriage alliance, I would be so bold as to ask for your hand. I wonder what you think of the matter?"

Nie Lingxi’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment. A hint of apology touched her lips, but her tone carried an unmistakable distance.

"Young Master Qi, I appreciate your admiration, but... my heart is already taken. I must ask you not to mention this again, lest we damage the harmony between the Nie Family and Zhenyuan Palace."

The smile on Qi Heng’s face froze instantly. He opened his mouth, something catching in his throat, before he managed to force a smile back onto his face.

"Might I ask... which great talent has earned your favor?"

Nearby, the already disheartened Wei Jing couldn’t help but look over as well.

"From Ning’an Prefecture, Chen Sheng."

Nie Lingxi enunciated each word, clear and distinct.

Qi Heng’s brows furrowed in shock.

"But just now, Miss Lingshan clearly said..."

"She is she, and I am I."

Nie Lingxi’s expression turned cold as she scoffed.

"Just because she has her eye on him, does that mean I have to give him up?"

"This... The Nie Family is a Noble Family with a thousand-year history. Your rules and etiquette are strict. Surely... you wouldn’t allow two sisters to compete for the same husband?"

Qi Heng couldn’t help but take half a step forward, his voice lowered in a persuasive tone.

Nie Lingxi immediately took a step back, re-establishing the distance between them.

Though her tone remained polite, the sense of alienation was now obvious.

"Young Master Qi, please leave. My mind is made up. I will marry no one but him."

With that, she said no more and turned to walk back into the courtyard, the hem of her skirt fluttering, her retreating figure resolute.

Qi Heng was left standing alone, his face a mixture of green and white—an absolutely ghastly sight.

Wei Jing, who had been watching from the side, finally caught his breath and let out a snort of derision.

"Heh... And here I thought you were so capable. Turns out you were just asking for humiliation."

"Still a cut above you, Wei."

Qi Heng slowly turned his head, his eyes gloomy.

"At least Miss Lingshan would rather fight her own sister than even consider you. It’s clear all your past efforts were nothing but one-sided wishful thinking."

"You!"

Wei Jing, his sore spot having been struck, surged with anger and blurted out:

"You’re no different!"

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

It was tantamount to admitting they were both in the same awkward, pathetic boat.

As expected, Qi Heng fell silent.

He no longer retorted, merely staring at Wei Jing with an equally complex and inscrutable gaze.

The two glared at each other for a moment, the air seemingly frozen. Finally, they each gave a cold snort, flicked their sleeves, and strode off in opposite directions, leaving only a silent, lingering sense of misery and embarrassment.

...

"You two... you’re completely insane!"

Nie Xiangjun had witnessed everything that just happened outside the gate, and now her face was as dark as a stormy sea.

"Making such a scene for everyone to see—are you worried the Nie Family hasn’t lost enough face yet?!"

’The legitimate daughters of the Nie Family, sisters fighting over a husband—if this news were to truly spread, what would become of the Nie Family’s thousand-year-old reputation?’

Nie Lingxi and Nie Lingshan secretly exchanged a look. A flicker of a triumphant scheme flashed in their eyes before they quickly concealed it.

They both snorted coldly at the same time and, with a tacit understanding, turned their heads away from each other, putting on an act of mutual defiance.

Nie Zhijing, who had been observing coolly from the side, had a thoughtful look in her eyes.

Seeing the two of them stubbornly silent, Nie Xiangjun’s tone softened slightly, tinged with a sense of frustrated disappointment.

"I don’t care what little schemes you two are plotting, but this business of sisters fighting over a husband is absolutely impossible in the Nie Family. You can still take it back. If you wait until the Patriarch and the Great Elder find out... you’ll be in for it."

"I won’t take it back."

Nie Lingshan immediately shot back, adding fuel to the fire.

"I’ve set my heart on Chen Sheng. Lingxi should be the one to back down."

"Why should I be the one to back down?" Nie Lingxi shot back, not showing any weakness.

"I am the elder sister, so I should get to choose first!"

"Aunt already said that Chen Sheng and I are a better match! You’re the one sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. If anyone gets to choose, it should be me!"

"You..."

"What about it?"

Watching the two of them trade barbs, neither giving an inch, Nie Xiangjun felt a vein throb in her temple.