Chapter 190 - Marriage Contract

After the voice from the communication crystal fell silent, the brother and sister in the secret chamber were left in utter quiet.

The looks on Xu Yuan’s and Xu Xinyao’s faces were both a little strange, while the iceberg of a woman sat quietly off to the side without saying a word.

Back in his previous life, after Xu Yuan broke up with his girlfriend, his family had also been impatient enough to arrange a few blind dates for him. The moment he heard that familiar opening gambit, he could roughly guess what this old father of his was trying to say. Now, sure enough, it was exactly that.

Of course, in his previous life, although his old man’s family business had also been rather large, those blind dates had mostly been the ordinary kind, the sort born from parental nagging and wedding anxiety. But the marriage his father was talking about now was most likely a political alliance.

His thoughts flickered for an instant before Xu Yuan asked, “A political marriage?”

The other side of the communication crystal fell silent for a brief moment. Then that low voice came through, making no attempt to deny it. “Yes.”

Xu Yuan drew in a deep breath and asked, “If it is a political marriage, shouldn’t you be considering Xu Changge? I seem to recall he doesn’t have a marriage contract either.”

From what Xu Yuan remembered, that older brother of his was basically insulated from women.

But that was not because no one pursued him. When Xu Changge had traveled the world, he had carried himself like an Immortal cast down from the Heavens. His looks were beautiful, his cultivation peerless, and his lofty bearing was so outrageous it practically needed its own altar. There were countless women who admired him.

Women liked men like Xu Changge. But most women would only bury those feelings in their hearts. The ones who dared to express their admiration to his eldest brother were, without exception, women of exceptional looks and cultivation.

And there lay the problem.

Most of these women of outstanding appearance and talent came from the sects, and nearly all of them had taken part in the Celeste Assembly thirteen years ago.

In other words, most of those breathtaking fairy maidens who had once looked upon Xu Changge with longing had been personally slaughtered by the man himself.

A so-called banished Immortal had to remain unstained by mortal dust. Once a banished Immortal descended into the world of men, he was no longer a banished Immortal.

This elder brother of his was, by all rights, destined to die alone.

ᯓ➤

Imperial Capital.

A black carriage carved with coiling dragons passed through the busy market district. The streets were prosperous, and the crowds were thick, yet everywhere the carriage went, silence fell. Not a single person dared make a sound.

Inside the carriage, a middle-aged man with a face as calm and dark as deep water sat before a desk. A round crystal half a foot wide hovered in front of him.

Hearing this question from his third son, Xu Yinhe lightly tapped the desk before him. “I did bring this matter up with Marquis Wucheng, but the decision rests mainly with their side.”

Xu Yuan understood Marquis Wucheng’s meaning almost instantly.

When his father said the decision rested with them, what he most likely meant was that if this marriage alliance happened, it would probably be Xu Changge marrying into their family, not that the commandery princess would marry into the Chancellor's Manor.

The Chancellor's Manor was undoubtedly a level above Marquis Wucheng’s estate. A marriage alliance where the groom married into the bride’s family was most likely a compromise.

After witnessing the might of the military formation in Sageridge, Xu Yuan no longer dared underestimate the influence of Marquis Wucheng, this so-called Northern God of War.

Before a true formation of elite soldiers, even a Sage would most likely fail to stir up much of a wave.

Although the future of this world had already been twisted beyond recognition by the beating of his butterfly wings, the time for his father to put his plan into motion should be drawing closer and closer.

This marriage alliance, with one side marrying in, was most likely being prepared for that very purpose.

Of course, this kind of marrying in was not the same as the kind of marrying in from his previous life.

After all, the strength of the Chancellor's Manor was plain for all to see.

The saying truth exists only within the range of the cannons worked no matter where you put it.

Even if Xu Changge married into Marquis Wucheng’s household, the Marquis’ estate could not possibly treat him like the live-in sons-in-law Xu Yuan knew from his previous life.

There would be no wicked servants bullying their master, no branch family members walking over him, no cold looks and sneers, and certainly no absurd switcheroo on the wedding night.

After all, if Marquis Wucheng’s estate dared to do such things, then with his old man’s attitude toward his family, he would never sit by and ignore it.

But judging from what his father meant, when negotiations first began, they had probably planned to have Xu Changge take part in the marriage alliance.

Xu Yuan did not know much about Mu Zhiyun, this commandery princess. Back then, after all, he had only been shamefully coveting her body. He had never bothered to understand her more deeply.

But there was one very simple truth they could not get around. They could not keep Xu Changge under control. Neither Mu Zhiyun nor even Marquis Wucheng himself had any confidence that they could control the Eldest Young Master.

A live-in son-in-law. At that thought, Xu Yuan suddenly felt like laughing for no good reason. If his older brother went to Marquis Wucheng’s estate, he would most likely become the Dragon King live-in son-in-law type.

If Xu Changge married into Marquis Wucheng’s family as their son-in-law, then in twenty years, perhaps even ten, Marquis Wucheng’s estate would probably become territory under the Chancellor’s thumb.

Xu Changge acted domineeringly, yes, but the foundation of that domineering manner was his strength. And though he had never been able to out-argue Xu Changan since childhood, that did not mean he lacked methods.

Thinking to this point, Xu Yuan let out a long breath. “Marquis Wucheng is afraid he won’t be able to keep Eldest Brother under control?”

“That is likely what Marquis Wucheng is considering.” Xu Yinhe’s voice came through quickly.

A long while passed.

Then his voice slowly came through again. “Originally, I did not wish to involve you in this matter. But after seeing your performance today...”

“Father.” For the first time, Xu Yuan interrupted his father. “Is this marriage alliance necessary?”

The other side of the communication crystal fell silent for a moment before the voice came through again. “Its effect is neither too great nor too small.”

The words were ambiguous, but when Xu Yuan heard them, his heart sank slightly.

In Xu Yuan’s memories, this father of his had never forced the four siblings to do anything they did not want to do. Since he had phrased things this way, the impact of this marriage alliance was most likely very significant.

After a long silence, Xu Yuan drew in a deep breath. “I understand. After I settle the matter with the Myriad Manifestations Sect, I will return to the Imperial Capital at once.”

“If you are unwilling, there is no need to force yourself.” Xu Yinhe’s voice remained calm. Although the relationship between his third son and Ran Qingmo was not exactly clear, he had lived through this age himself. There were some things he could understand.

Xu Yuan gently shook his head and said in a low voice, “Father, it is only a political marriage. Besides, what happened back then did begin because of me. For this marriage alliance to fall on me can only be called reasonable.”

Hearing this, Xu Yinhe did not speak right away. Instead, Xu Xinyao, who stood off to the side, suddenly spoke up.

“Father, Third Brother already has a beauty by his side, while I’m all alone. Why not let me go instead?”

Marquis Wucheng’s estate did not have only that little commandery princess. There was also the Young Marquis a few years younger than Xu Changge.

Back then, because of Mu Zhiyun, Xu Yuan had had a little conflict with him, or to be more precise, had nearly been crippled by him.

Fortunately, Xu Changge had been in the estate at the time and had stopped the Young Marquis, or to be more precise, had beaten him half to death.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan glanced at his little sister beside him, sighed, and said, “Xu Xinyao, what they want is a direct legitimate line...”

Xu Yinhe’s voice rang out, carrying a hint of severity. “Changtian!”

There was a moment of silence.

Xu Yuan gave a soft laugh and said no more.

Xu Xinyao bit her lip and fell silent as well.

Xu Yinhe’s tone softened somewhat. “Xinyao, do not take it to heart. Marquis Wucheng’s grandson already has a marriage contract.”

Xu Xinyao was quiet for a little while, then answered softly, “Mhm...”

Xu Yinhe then turned back to Xu Yuan and asked, his tone carrying a trace of seriousness, “Third Son, are you certain you have thought this through?”

Xu Yuan shrugged and nodded. “It does not matter. It is all the same.”

Xu Yinhe let out a long breath. “Then this matter is settled. Once the matter with the Myriad Manifestations Sect is over, return to the capital immediately.”

“Yes.”

“...”

“...”

“Is there something else?”

“Mm. It is about... Gui Qi.”

A long while passed.

“Speak. Your father is listening.”