Xiao Chen raised his eyes, and Han Wenxuan had already flown to his side, “After leaving that day, I looked into Brother Xiao’s matters and only then learned the origin of your marriage with Xie Yuanjia. As the saying goes, a benevolent mother and a filial son; Madam Zhang is so vicious that she truly does not deserve to be a mother, and your treatment of her is also understandable. But regardless, she is still your nominal mother, and doing such a thing might sow karmic seeds that will affect your future cultivation, so toward her…”
Xiao Chen stretched lazily and impatiently interrupted Han Wenxuan’s words, “Sowing karmic seeds will indeed affect cultivation, so if Young Master Han is idle, he should focus on cultivating his own Dao and stop always trying to meddle in other people’s karma.”
This was telling him not to mind other people’s business! Han Wenxuan frowned. He was clearly speaking out of consideration for Xiao Chen’s own good, and given his reputation and cultivation, anyone else would have begged him for guidance. Yet what kind of attitude was this from Xiao Chen? “Xiao Chen, I am saying this so that your future cultivation can proceed smoothly…”
To someone who liked standing on a high moral ground and had sailed smoothly all the way, saying anything more was useless. Moreover, as far as Xiao Chen was concerned, Han Wenxuan was just a stranger, so there was truly no need to waste breath or words on this person. Thinking this, Xiao Chen already stood up and replied perfunctorily, “Yes, yes, yes, everything you say is right.”
Han Wenxuan clenched his fists silently, “Xiao Chen, the biggest conflict between you and Madam Zhang is your marriage with Xie Yuanjia. If I help you call off this marriage…”
Xiao Chen couldn’t be bothered to entertain Han Wenxuan.
“Xiao Chen, you don’t believe I can pull this off.”
Having already turned around, Xiao Chen stopped and looked back at Han Wenxuan, “Young Master Han, if I remember correctly, counting today, we should have only met twice. Just how idle must you be to care so deeply about the private affairs of someone you’ve only met twice?”
Seeing that Xiao Chen had misunderstood, Han Wenxuan said almost instinctively, “I genuinely want to help you.”
“Then I accept Young Master Han’s kind intentions, but my private affairs will not trouble Young Master Han.”
“Do you genuinely wish to marry Xie Yuanjia as his wife?”
With an impatient expression, Xiao Chen said, “Yes, I am willing. I originally held affection for him, and after that night, I love him to the bone. Right now, this marriage happens to suit my heart’s desire, so I ask Young Master Han to please raise your hands and show mercy, and not to tear apart this wonderful affinity of mine.”
Muttering inwardly: This person is truly sick.
Yet the moment he turned around, his entire body turned to stone, for he saw Xie Yuanjia standing right about a step away from him. Damn it! What kind of reckless, wild words had he just blurted out?
For a fleeting second, his earlobes flushed red with embarrassment. Fleeing the disaster zone at this moment might temporarily relieve the awkwardness, but dealing with it later would probably be even harder. Xiao Chen coughed awkwardly twice, looked toward Xie Yuanjia, and said with a cool, detached tone, “You didn’t hear anything just now.”
Xie Yuanjia was also stunned in place, and only upon hearing Xiao Chen’s words did he snap back to reality, “I just got here. What did you just say?”
Feigning composure, Xiao Chen declared, “Nothing at all.”
With that, he walked away with steady strides. Watching Xiao Chen’s retreating figure, Xie Yuanjia couldn’t help a trace of smug triumph flashing in his eyes, the corners of his lips curling up unconsciously.
Although Xiao Chen did not look back, his already guilty conscience made him exceptionally sensitive to Xie Yuanjia’s gaze. He had just casually blurted those words out, never imagining that the principal himself would be standing right behind him! Truly! What terrible luck!
Just as he was thinking this, he stumbled, damn it! Even on a flat paved path, he could trip over the tip of his own shoe. Steadying himself, Xiao Chen bit the bullet and returned to the banquet.
Seeing Xiao Chen’s appearance, the amusement in Xie Yuanjia’s eyes grew deeper. Originally, he had felt extreme aversion toward this marriage, but now he felt that this marriage didn’t seem so hateful after all; his prospective spouse was quite interesting.
Han Wenxuan’s expression sank. In his view, Xiao Chen could never willingly consent to marry someone as a wife, and everything he had said just now was purely spoken in a moment of pique. He was definitely going to take charge of this matter.
Upon returning to the banquet, Gan Yangxu instantly sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat amiss. The courteous Han Wenxuan sat with a gloomy face without uttering a word, Xie Yuanjia, who had initially been displeased, now wore a smug look of triumph, while Xiao Chen, who had mostly been going through the motions, kept his head buried in eating his food, even though there was no rice left in his bowl. In such a short span of time, what on earth had happened to turn these three into this state?
As for the three of them right now, each harbored their own thoughts.
Han Wenxuan: There is still half a month left until the wedding date between Xiao Chen and Xie Yuanjia. In such a short time, wanting to make the Sect Master change his mind is far too rushed. Once he leaves the Gan Mansion later, he will go seek out the Sect Master to postpone the wedding first, and then look for a suitable pretext for the Sect Master to call off this union altogether. That way, the conflict between Xiao Chen and Madam Zhang can be resolved.
Xie Yuanjia: He must have gone crazy. Xiao Chen’s words just then were obviously spoken intentionally for Han Wenxuan to hear, yet why did his own heart feel a trace of elation because of those words? Furthermore, why did he find it somewhat hard to resist looking at Xiao Chen?
Xiao Chen: How is one supposed to get along with the Dragon-Aotian protagonist after this?! How can I salvage my dignity?! Is there a crack in the ground I can crawl into? Why does it feel like Xie Yuanjia has been staring at him the whole time?! This is so annoying! Will someone please save me, this child is genuinely falling apart!
Looking at the three of them, Gan Yangxu thought to himself: No, this atmosphere is truly too bizarre, I have to say something.
“Young Master Xiao, would you like a refill of rice?”
Han Wenxuan and Xie Yuanjia reached out almost simultaneously: “I’ll help you.”
Gan Yangxu paused for a moment. Firstly, there were servants attending right beside the table, completely eliminating the need for guests to serve themselves; secondly, the bowl of rice was equidistant from all three of them.
The marriage between Xie Yuanjia and Xiao Chen had been plotted by Madam Zhang, and their actual relationship should have been fortunate if they weren’t sworn enemies. Yet looking at Xie Yuanjia’s current demeanor, it didn’t seem to be the case at all. As for Han Wenxuan, he was notoriously cold and aloof, and on ordinary days, managing to get even one extra sentence out of him to anyone was already exceptionally rare, yet today he was actually showing such attentive solicitude toward Xiao Chen.
This scene was simply too uncanny; Gan Yangxu felt that even in a dream he wouldn’t dare script something like this.
Xiao Chen was also startled for a moment. Coming back to his senses, he set down his chopsticks, “Um… I’ve eaten my fill. Young Master Gan, I just remembered I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave a step early.”
Gan Yangxu: “I’ll see Young Master Xiao out.”
After Xiao Chen and Gan Yangxu departed, a cold glint flashed in Xie Yuanjia’s eyes, though his face maintained a hint of warmth as he spoke softly, “Young Master Han seems to hold my prospective wife in very high regard.”
Han Wenxuan replied coolly, “The marriage between Xiao Chen and Young Master Xie was designed by Madam Zhang in the first place. I will find a way to mediate and have the Sect Master cancel this union.”
Xie Yuanjia casually twirled his wine cup between his fingertips, a tripartite chill lingering in his eyes, “Did Young Master Han happen to forget that I personally went and begged the Taixuan Sect Master for this marriage? Moreover, Xiao Chen himself hasn’t raised any objections; what is the reason for Young Master Han’s such intense reaction?”
Han Wenxuan frowned, “I simply do not wish for the conflict between Xiao Chen and Madam Zhang to run too deep. After all, they are family; they shouldn’t be at daggers drawn every single day.”
Xie Yuanjia gave a disdainful chuckle, “Madam Zhang went through exhaustive schemes to set up such a trap. Do you really think canceling a single wedding will allow the two of them to patch things up and become as good as before? The root of the discord between Xiao Chen and Zhang Liusi lies in interests. As long as those interests remain unchanged, the two of them are destined not to coexist. Since you fail to even understand this much, Young Master Han would do well not to meddle in other people’s private affairs.”
Han Wenxuan’s gaze darkened, “Xiao Chen’s marriage was granted by the Sect Master upon your request. Have you ever asked for his own personal wishes?”
Xie Yuanjia fell silent. At the time, he had only felt that since he had slept with Xiao Chen, he ought to take responsibility for the other party regardless of the motives behind why he was bedded, and therefore he had sought out the Taixuan Sect Master. He genuinely hadn’t asked about Xiao Chen’s willingness.
Han Wenxuan stood up, “No matter what you say, a marriage alliance is no child’s play; you should at least give Xiao Chen a chance to choose.”
Xie Yuanjia shot a cold gaze at Han Wenxuan’s back, “Wait.”
Han Wenxuan halted his steps.
“Why are you so concerned about Xiao Chen’s marriage, after all? Is it truly to resolve the conflict between him and Zhang Liusi, or is there genuinely not a shred of selfish motive involved?”
“Otherwise? What else could it be for? Zhang Liusi is Xiao Chen’s elder; if things continue down this path, it will hold absolutely no benefit for his future cultivation.”
Xie Yuanjia said in a deep voice, “I hope Young Master Han remembers today’s words.”
When Gan Yangxu returned, only Xie Yuanjia remained. “Young Master Han has left?”
Xie Yuanjia nodded, then produced an invitation card which he handed to Gan Yangxu, “Thank you, Young Master Gan, for your hospitality today. Half a month from now, if Young Master Han, ah, if Young Master Han is free, please do come attend the wedding ceremony between Xiao Chen and myself.” (Note: corrected naturally in flow)
Gan Yangxu hurriedly accepted it, “When the time comes, I will certainly bring my wife along to attend.”
Xie Yuanjia smiled, “Then I shall not disturb you further. Farewell.”
Gan Yangxu stepped forward, “I’ll see you out, Young Master.”
Xie Yuanjia cupped his fists, “Young Master Gan, please stay your steps.”
After Xie Yuanjia left, Gan Yangxu looked at the barely touched dishes and wine, letting out a sigh, “I originally intended to thank all three of them, but with the way this banquet turned out, I hope I haven’t gone and invited a bunch of enemies.”
Deep in the night, Han Wenxuan lay tossing and turning on his bed, unable to fall asleep. The words Xie Yuanjia had spoken today kept echoing in his mind, until finally, feeling irritated, he got up, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it down to steady his state of mind. Good grief, how could he allow himself to be thrown into such disquiet by Xie Yuanjia’s wild ramblings? Aside from wanting to ease the friction between Xiao Chen and Madam Zhang, what else could possibly motivate his concern over Xiao Chen’s marriage? What selfish motives could he possibly have?
Inside the storage room, Xie Yuanjia’s expression was as cold as frost. Han Wenxuan had developed other intentions toward Xiao Chen, though he hadn’t quite figured it out himself yet. Still, even the slowest person wouldn’t remain oblivious forever. Fortunately, his wedding date with Xiao Chen was fast approaching, so he didn’t need to worry about prolonged delays leading to complications.
At this thought, Xie Yuanjia paused for a moment. Why would he think that way? Could it be that he, too, had developed feelings of romantic affection toward Xiao Chen?
Yet very quickly, Xie Yuanjia dismissed the notion. He was probably only reacting this way because Han Wenxuan was coveting someone who originally belonged to him.
At noon the next day, while members of the Xiao Mansion were partaking in their meal, an emissary sent by the Sect Master arrived: “Are Xiao Chen and Xie Yuanjia present?”
Zhang Liusi ordered someone to summon Xie Yuanjia.
The messenger announced, “The Sect Master issues an imperial edict—err, a verbal decree: Because the Xuanxun Secret Realm is about to open, the wedding date between Xiao Chen and Xie Yuanjia originally scheduled for half a month from now is postponed until after they return from exploring the secret realm, at which point an auspicious date will be chosen anew.”
A wave of relief washed over Xiao Chen’s heart. Postponing the wedding date was actually a good thing; at least he wouldn’t temporarily have to agonize over how to get along with Xie Yuanjia after marriage.
Xie Yuanjia noticed the flash of joy that crossed Xiao Chen’s eyes. It seemed Xiao Chen indeed had no wish to marry him.
The messenger continued, “Xiao Chen, Young Master Xie, the Sect Master has spoken: the secret realm opens wide in half a month, and both of you are to enter the secret realm together. The Sect Master has provided the opportunity; as for what kind of fortune you manage to reap, it entirely depends on yourselves. I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”
After the messenger left, Zhang Liusi’s face turned as dark as ink. Why had it suddenly been postponed? In past years, secret realm explorations were short as half a year or long as a full year, and during such a long duration, anyone could guess that unexpected variables might arise. However, matters had already reached this point, so they could only wait until that time came to bring it up again.
After finishing dinner, thinking of the postponed wedding, Xiao Chen felt exceptionally cheerful and leisurely poured himself a cup of tea.
“It seems my guess was correct. You truly dislike this marriage, so why on earth did you utter those insincere words back at the Gan Mansion?”
Startled by the sudden voice, Xiao Chen choked, spraying the tea he had just brought to his lips all over the place.