Chapter 430 - 223: Brothers in Misfortune, Count Me In?

Chapter 430: Chapter 223: Brothers in Misfortune, Count Me In?

They were the only remaining bloodline of the Great Elder, Nie Baichuan—the apple of the old man’s eye.

The Great Elder’s status in the clan was transcendent. His seniority and prestige surpassed even Nie Tiankun’s, and he was his elder.

Punish them severely?

That was easier said than done.

But if he let it be, allowing the situation to fester, what would become of the Nie Family’s reputation and rules?

After much deliberation, Nie Tiankun could only pass this hot potato right back to the Great Elder, Nie Baichuan.

No matter what, this matter had to be quelled as soon as possible. The Nie Family absolutely could not allow something as absurd as two sisters vying for the same man to become a reality.

...

The Nie Family Ancestral Hall was solemn and dignified.

The smoke of sandalwood curled through the air, drifting past the memorial tablets of their ancestors.

The Great Elder, Nie Baichuan, sat upright in the Taishi Chair at the head of the hall. His face was grave, and his eyes, though weathered by time, remained sharp. Filled with a heavy pressure, his gaze slowly swept over the two granddaughters kneeling below.

His voice, low and cold, echoed through the empty ancestral hall:

"I have truly spoiled you both rotten. A marriage alliance for the family—do you have any idea how important that is? I had thought to give you some room to choose, but I never expected you to dare cause such a disgraceful scandal!

You are both well aware of the clan’s rules. Speak! What exactly is going on?!"

"Grandfather..."

Nie Lingshan lifted her small face, her eyes instantly turning red. Her voice thick with tears, she tried to move forward.

"This is the ancestral hall! Address me as Great Elder!" Nie Baichuan bellowed, his expression darkening further.

Nie Lingshan’s lips trembled, and crystalline tears immediately rolled down her cheeks.

Beside her, Nie Lingxi hung her head even lower, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Great Elder."

Standing by, Nie Xiangjun saw this and her heart softened. She couldn’t help but speak up.

"The two of them are still young. They can be a bit willful, but they usually know their limits... Perhaps there’s another reason for all this. I ask that you not be too harsh."

"You’re the one who knows no limits!"

Nie Baichuan’s gaze, sharp as lightning, shot toward her.

"As their elder, you failed to restrain and discipline them. Instead, you indulge them!"

Nie Xiangjun flinched, immediately pulling back the half-step she had taken. She stared at the tips of her shoes, not daring to speak another word.

Nie Baichuan let out a heavy breath, his gaze returning to his two granddaughters. His tone was firm and decisive.

"There is only one Chen Sheng. And only one of you can choose him. Both of you marry him? Who does he think he is? Even if he were the Emperor himself, there’s no such rule in the Nie Family!"

He paused, then said in a heavy voice, "Choose. In front of our ancestors and in front of me, make your choice right now! Let’s put an end to this matter as soon as possible!"

"I... I want to marry him!"

Nie Lingshan looked up with teary eyes. She was sobbing, but her tone was incredibly stubborn.

"Grandfather, you promised me before that you would find me a husband I am truly happy with... Lingshan has always remembered your words. You can’t go back on your promise... If I can’t marry him, then... then I won’t marry anyone!"

Nie Baichuan’s throat bobbed. Seeing his elder granddaughter’s beautiful, tear-streaked face, his heart softened. He couldn’t help but turn to his younger granddaughter, his tone softening slightly.

"Lingxi, you’ve always been the most sensible and understanding... This time, why don’t you be the one to back down?"

"Sensible? Does being sensible mean I deserve to be wronged?"

Nie Lingxi abruptly raised her head. Her face was also stained with tears, and her voice choked with emotion.

"In Grandfather’s eyes, is there only my older sister? I’ve given in before, but this time... this time, I absolutely refuse!"

"Then, Lingshan, you..."

Nie Baichuan looked at Nie Lingshan again, trying to find some room for compromise.

"If you don’t agree."

Nie Lingshan cut in, tears streaming down her face, but her eyes held a look of utter determination. "I... I’ll go cry before my parents’ memorial tablets right now! I’ll cry until their spirits manifest!"

Nie Lingxi immediately raised her head as well, mimicking her sister and staring at their grandfather with the same stubborn gaze.

Watching the two granddaughters he had doted on since childhood cry with such heartbreak and determination, Nie Baichuan frowned deeply, his white beard trembling slightly. Silence spread through the ancestral hall, broken only by the intermittent sound of suppressed sobs.

Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in Nie Baichuan’s eyes. He slammed his hand on the armrest and roared:

"Enough! Stop putting on a show for me! Do you really think this old man’s eyes are too dim to see through your act?! You met that kid with the surname Chen once, and now you’re acting like you’d die for him?

What, does he know some bewitching sorcery?!"

Nie Baichuan was old and shrewd. He might have been swayed by emotion at first, but after a moment of calm, he sensed something was amiss, and his expression turned grim.

"Either I never marry, or I only marry Chen Sheng!"

Seeing her grandfather growing suspicious, Nie Lingshan steeled herself and spoke again, her tone even more resolute.

"Me too!" Nie Lingxi followed right behind, not backing down an inch.

"Fine! Fine! So you won’t choose, is that it?"

Nie Baichuan was so angry he laughed.

"Alright, then I’ll have that kid with the surname Chen choose. After he makes his choice, the other one is forbidden from causing any more trouble! If either of you dares to stir up problems again, you will be punished according to clan rules, with no leniency!"

He then snorted coldly and turned to Nie Xiangjun.

"Go, have that kid come see me at once!"

"Great Elder."

By now, Nie Xiangjun had vaguely guessed her two nieces’ plan. Although she thought it was ridiculous, she didn’t expose them. Instead, she played along, putting on a troubled expression.

"Chen Sheng... he had a sudden insight in his cultivation and entered seclusion in the rear mountain spirit land yesterday. He has not yet emerged. Forcibly disturbing him might damage his cultivation..."

Nie Baichuan gave her a deep look, then let his gaze linger on his granddaughters’ faces for a moment, as if trying to see through all their schemes.

After a long moment, he finally gave a cold snort.

"Then we’ll wait for him to come out of seclusion. The moment he’s out, have him come see me immediately!"

Nie Baichuan stood up, his imposing gaze sweeping over Nie Lingshan and Nie Lingxi.

"In the meantime, the two of you will behave yourselves. No more fighting, and no more making scenes! There are already elders in the clan who feel this matter is a disgrace to our family. If you cause any more trouble, it won’t be easy for me to be lenient again!"

With that, Nie Baichuan flicked his sleeves, turned, and strode out of the ancestral hall.

Only after his imposing figure disappeared from the doorway did Nie Xiangjun let out a long sigh of relief. She turned to her two nieces and sighed helplessly.

"You two... can you finally tell your aunt the truth now? What is really going on?"

Nie Lingxi glanced secretly at her sister, then lowered her head. Her lips moved slightly as she used a voice transmission art to explain the whole story to Nie Xiangjun in detail.

After hearing everything, Nie Xiangjun’s brow furrowed. She looked at Nie Lingshan.

"This is absurd. How could a plan like this possibly work? Those old men in the clan are all as sharp as they come. How could they be fooled by a little trick like this? Even if the Great Elder dotes on you, he still has to consider the clan rules and the honor of the entire family."

"Aunt..."

Nie Lingshan moved closer, grabbing her sleeve and batting her eyes, trying to curry favor.

"You’re the most experienced. Can you give me some advice?"

Nie Xiangjun was instantly speechless. She irritably shook off her hand.

"Nonsense! What experience do I have?!"

"Aunt..." Nie Lingshan dragged out the word in a wheedling tone.

"...Fine."

Nie Xiangjun looked at the mix of unwillingness and stubbornness in her niece’s eyes and finally relented. She let out a soft sigh.

"I... I’ll try my best to help you navigate this. But Lingshan, don’t get your hopes up too high. It would be best if the marriage alliance could be called off. But if it can’t, you should just pick someone else you find tolerable."

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