Chapter 437 - 226: The First Beauty, the Spirit Platform’s Sacred Artifact

Chapter 437: Chapter 226: The First Beauty, the Spirit Platform’s Sacred Artifact

"Me?"

Nie Zhijing’s eyes glinted.

"If the family agrees, then I’ll marry him. It’s not like I... dislike him or anything."

"In your wildest dreams!"

Nie Lingshan pouted.

Even if the family might agree to her and Lingxi marrying him together, they would never allow Nie Zhijing to marry Chen Sheng.

She, at least, was not bound by any marriage contract. But Nie Zhijing... her potential engagement to the Second Prince was practically an open secret among the Nie Family’s upper echelons.

Although the Emperor had not issued a formal decree, his intentions were clear. How could the Nie Family dare to break the agreement?

Even if the imperial family was showing signs of decline, they were still the rulers of the Twelve Provinces.

Their authority was so immense that no Noble Family would dare challenge them head-on.

"Second Miss."

A maidservant reported softly from downstairs:

"There’s a Young Master Ouyang Ke outside who wishes to see you."

"I won’t see him."

Nie Lingshan waved a dismissive hand, her expression darkening slightly as a hint of resignation crossed her face.

"Oh? A handsome young talent is chasing after you, and you’re still not happy?"

Nie Zhijing teased.

"Is he really interested in me?"

Nie Lingshan scoffed.

"He’s interested in the ’legitimate granddaughter of the Nie Family’s Great Elder’ title. If only everyone were like Chen Sheng..."

Nie Lingshan stopped mid-sentence, realizing her slip of the tongue. She paused before continuing, "At least he’s open and honest, and he stands by his principles."

"That’s not quite right."

Nie Zhijing shook her head.

"Chen Sheng agreed to the marriage alliance with the Nie Family. Do you think he doesn’t value the Nie Family’s background and influence? Why be so biased?"

"He’s different."

Nie Lingshan retorted.

"Auntie said that Chen Sheng wasn’t dead set on the marriage alliance. He even negotiated terms with her, saying that if the Nie Family couldn’t accept the woman already by his side, he would rather give up the alliance."

Hearing this, Nie Zhijing couldn’t help but laugh.

"He already has another woman, and you’re still speaking so highly of him?"

"That’s in his past! Besides, when did I ever speak highly of him? It’s Lingxi who thinks he’s great!" Nie Lingshan argued hurriedly, though the tips of her ears grew a little hot.

"The way I see it, you sisters are just used to competing with each other. A man Lingxi has her eye on is naturally going to seem gilded in your eyes too."

Nie Zhijing pointed this out with a smile, then her expression turned serious as she reminded her,

"But Lingshan, joking aside, this drama of two sisters fighting over a man can’t continue. I heard from my father that the Great Elder is already considering ways to postpone your marriage alliance for a while..."

Nie Lingshan’s eyes lit up, but she quickly suppressed her excitement and muttered,

"Who’s fighting? I already told Lingxi I wouldn’t compete with her... Otherwise, she’d beat me up!"

"Second Miss."

The maidservant from downstairs returned, her tone hesitant.

"That Young Master Ouyang refuses to leave. He says... there is something he must tell you in person."

"...I know."

Nie Lingshan frowned and sighed. She straightened her sleeves, her face returning to its usual aloof expression, then leaped lightly from the pavilion and walked out of the Simurgh Phoenix Pavilion.

In the open space outside the pavilion, a young master dressed in brocade robes with a Jade Pendant at his waist stood with his hands behind his back. When he saw Nie Lingshan emerge, his eyes lit up. He took two steps forward and cupped his hands in a salute.

"Miss Lingshan."

Nie Lingshan stopped, maintaining a distance of several feet from him, and said flatly,

"What is it, Young Master Ouyang?"

Ouyang Ke’s gaze lingered on her exquisite face for a moment, a flash of awe in his eyes. He quickly composed himself, his expression turning serious.

"I have come regarding the matter of our marriage alliance."

"Haven’t you heard?"

Nie Lingshan’s brows furrowed slightly.

"My heart already belongs to Chen Sheng."

"But I’ve heard that Chen is about to be engaged to Miss Lingxi."

Ouyang Ke’s expression didn’t change; instead, a modest smile appeared on his face.

"So what? I haven’t given up," Nie Lingshan’s tone turned cold.

"It matters not."

Ouyang Ke’s smile didn’t fade. His tone was gentle, yet carried a strange certainty.

"I do not mind. I believe that after we are married, Miss Lingshan’s heart will naturally find its way back to me."

Nie Lingshan was stunned, unable to react for several breaths.

She stared at Ouyang Ke’s calm, smiling face. Not only did she feel not the slightest bit moved, but a sense of absurd coldness rose in her heart.

Wei Jing might have been arrogant, but at least he had some dignity and passion.

But this man before her... she had already been so blunt, yet he could still say he didn’t mind?

’There’s definitely something wrong with his brain.’

At this thought, Nie Lingshan said no more. Not even bothering to glance at him again, she turned and walked away, her pace quicker than before.

Ouyang Ke watched her somewhat hasty retreat disappear behind the pavilion’s Restriction. The smile remained on his face, but deep in his eyes, a glint of determination flashed.

He had already learned some of the truth behind the so-called sisterly rivalry for a husband from the Nie Family’s hints.

Nie Lingshan’s resistance was likely just an excuse.

At the same time, the Nie Family had given him two choices.

Choose another legitimate daughter of slightly lower status, or... wait.

Originally, Ouyang Ke had been weighing his options. After all, Nie Lingshan’s status was a double-edged sword—both tempting and challenging.

But after that fleeting glimpse of her stunning beauty, any hesitation in his heart vanished instantly.

’A beauty like this is worth the wait.’

...

Meanwhile, after a short walk, Chen Sheng and Nie Lingxi had also returned to the vicinity of the Simurgh Phoenix Pavilion, just in time to glimpse Nie Lingshan coldly rejecting Ouyang Ke from a distance.

Chen Sheng merely gave them a passing glance, paying it no mind and having no intention of interfering.

After escorting Nie Lingxi to the front of the pavilion and bidding her a warm farewell, he turned to return to the guest courtyard.

But he hadn’t gone far when a voice called out from behind him:

"You must be Chen, I presume?"

Chen Sheng paused and turned to look.

The one who had called out to him was none other than Ouyang Ke, the man Nie Lingshan had just turned away.

Chen Sheng’s expression was calm, his gaze falling on the other man’s face with a hint of scrutiny.

’Is he resentful but doesn’t dare provoke Nie Lingshan, so he plans to take his frustration out on me?’

"Chen, please don’t misunderstand."

Ouyang Ke seemed to have guessed his thoughts. He strode forward quickly, his face now wearing a sincere and enthusiastic smile.

"I am Ouyang Ke, Young Master of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. I have long heard of Chen’s esteemed reputation in Ning’an and have yearned to meet you. Now that I have the opportunity, I’ve come to make your acquaintance. My mother also instructed me before my departure that as Ning’an and Nanzhao are neighbors, we should naturally foster closer ties.

Moreover, Chen is about to marry into the Nie Family, and I... may also be forming a marriage alliance with the Nie Family soon. By that reckoning, you and I might even be relatives in the future."

Ouyang Ke’s words were earnest and his posture quite humble, not at all like someone looking to stir up trouble.

"Your esteemed mother... is she Lady Lan?"

Chen Sheng’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

"That is my mother."

Ouyang Ke cupped his hands and said, a hint of pride in his expression.

A flicker of understanding flashed in Chen Sheng’s eyes.

He had indeed heard of Lady Lan of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.

Rumor had it she was known as the "Number One Beauty of Nanzhao," a woman not only of unparalleled beauty but also of formidable methods. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Sixteen years ago, when the Master of Ten Thousand Poisons suddenly passed away, the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect fell into turmoil.

It was this very Lady Lan who, through her own power, stabilized the situation, supported her young son, and weathered the storms.

Not only did she preserve the Ouyang Clan’s authority within the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, but she also led the sect to new heights of power, making it a dominant force in Nanzhao.

Her schemes and methods were extraordinary, and she was particularly skilled with poisons—a truly formidable character.

Of course, what caught Chen Sheng’s attention even more was another piece of information.

The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect was said to possess a hereditary Sacred Artifact that had an incredible effect on helping a Cultivator establish their Spirit Platform and condense their Divine Sense, a fact that Chen Sheng had been thinking about for some time.

Since the other party was now proactively showing goodwill, Chen Sheng had no reason to turn him away.

"So, it is Young Master Ouyang."

Chen Sheng’s expression softened. After a moment’s thought, he extended an invitation:

"If Ouyang would not be opposed, would you care to join me in the guest courtyard for a cup of tea?"

Hearing this, Ouyang Ke’s smile widened, and a look of delight flashed in his eyes.

"It is what I wished for, but dared not ask. Then I shall impose on your hospitality!"

Befriending a figure like Chen Sheng was also a good thing for him.

Chen Sheng’s own potential was astounding, and with the Nie Family backing him, his future was limitless.

Although he, Ouyang Ke, was also on the Dragon and Tiger List and considered a prominent talent in his own right, forging good connections, especially with a powerful figure who was very likely to hold great authority in the future, would be of great benefit to him personally and to the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.

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