Chapter 1294 - 923: News Spreads Throughout Kyoto

At this moment, Xie Xuan just wanted to say: "Zhang Chen has too many troubles on him. You can’t handle them, let my girl take care of it!"

Faced with Zhong Wubai’s surprised expression, Xie Xuan quickly tried to make amends: "Zhang Chen not only has troubles from Prince Pingbian’s Mansion but also internal troubles within the Eight Great Clans, and troubles from the Human King. Can your Zhong Family withstand so much pressure? If it ends up dragging the Zhong Family down, it would be too late to regret!"

Zhong Wubai lightly smiled at Xie Xuan’s questioning: "There is always a chance! As long as there is a sliver of opportunity, we can try to gamble on it."

Speaking of this, Zhong Wubai said: "Where in the world is there a perfect situation? Don’t we always have to take a gamble?"

After Zhong Wubai’s words fell, Xie Xuan was speechless. He raised his head to glance at Xie Lingyun, only to see Xie Lingyun staring blankly at the teacup in her hand.

"Quickly choose an auspicious day for me," Zhong Wubai urged.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan reluctantly began his calculations. After a moment, he took out a piece of white paper, wrote the date, and handed it to Zhong Wubai: "I’ve calculated the auspicious day, but you should think carefully about the marriage."

Zhong Wubai laughed and nodded, then put down the teacup and patted Xie Xuan’s shoulder: "You must remember to come to the wedding banquet."

Zhong Wubai turned and left, leaving the Xie father and daughter sitting silently in the hall. Xie Xuan looked at the still dazed Xie Lingyun, not knowing how to comfort her, he could only sigh: "Creation toys with people! Don’t take it to heart. Without Zhang Chen, I will find another outstanding young man for you."

"I’m tired, I want to rest." Xie Lingyun, somewhat lost, put down the teacup and walked out of the hall, gazing quietly at the distant scenery by the rockery.

At that moment, Xie Lingyun didn’t know how she felt inside, only that her emotions were mixed, like a bottle of spices being overturned.

She recalled when someone tried to match her with Zhang Chen, but she casually dismissed it, saying her life was dedicated to pursuing the path of Changsheng. Yet, she couldn’t understand why she felt sad when she thought of Zhang Chen marrying and having children.

Xie Lingyun stood in the pavilion all night, while Xie Xuan stood at the foot of the mountain watching her the whole night. As the morning sun began to rise, Xie Xuan walked up from the foot of the mountain, full of worry: "I think Zhuge Cheng is not bad either. He and you are both called North Wulong, barely compatible with you."

"I’ve already made up my mind. This life, I will wholeheartedly pursue the path of Changsheng. Romantic relationships are just minor affairs to me, please don’t mention my marriage anymore." Xie Lingyun interrupted Xie Xuan.

Stunned by her words, Xie Xuan stared dumbly at Xie Lingyun, then turned and left without speaking.

Zhong Wubai returned all the way to the Zhong Family, beginning to organize the engagement arrangements. As news of Zhang Chen’s impending engagement spread, Kyoto was in an uproar, especially since Zhong Xiang could now display Divine Techniques in Kyoto, becoming an extraordinary figure in the city, which stirred a significant controversy.

Inner Palace

Inside the Third Prince Chai Wenxin’s bedroom, Chai Wenxin was discussing secrets with a group of subordinates when an attendant hurriedly entered from outside, whispering in Chai Wenxin’s ear, which shocked Chai Wenxin: "Is what you said true? No lies at all?"

"This matter is absolutely true, the Zhong Family’s invitation has already been sent out," the attendant replied.

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince Chai Wenxin was immediately furious, his eyes revealing a hint of Evil Qi: "Damn the Zhong Family, they actually look down on me, choosing to marry Zhong Xiang to that lowly creature. I am determined not to let it rest!"

Chai Wenxin’s voice was filled with anger as he grabbed the vase on the side table and smashed it to pieces, making everyone in the room too scared to speak.

"Brother, calm down for now. What exactly happened to make you so furious? Why not tell us so everyone can advise you to see if there’s a way to salvage the situation," said Chai Wenji.

"That little slut Zhong Xiang is blind to not choose me but to marry Zhang Chen, the reptile! It’s a disgrace to me, an extraordinary disgrace! Why should Zhang Chen be compared to me? That she would rather marry that reptile than marry me is a disgrace to me, and I will not let it rest!" Chai Wenxin’s voice was filled with fury.

Is Zhong Xiang really getting married?

Upon hearing this news, the Third Prince Chai Wenxin’s advisors were all taken aback, their eyes showing disbelief.

"So Zhong Xiang is marrying Zhang Chen? That little bitch really can’t see straight!" Chai Wenji’s face immediately changed, her eyes filled with anger.

"Brother, there’s no need to be enraged; perhaps there is still room for a turnaround," Zhang Gaoqiu interjected.

Chai Wenxin paused in his actions, turning to look at Zhang Gaoqiu: "Do you have a way?"

"Throughout history, marriages have always been determined by parental orders and mediators’ words. Although Zhang Chen no longer has parents, he now recognizes his ancestry, and there are senior family members, if we can get the elders of the Zhang Family to oppose this marriage and cancel the engagement, wouldn’t that resolve everything?" Zhang Gaoqiu stated with a sly smile, a hint of malice in his eyes.

"Indeed! Although Zhang Chen has lost his parents, he still has elder relatives like uncles. As long as they step in to cancel the engagement, the matter will be resolved." The Third Prince was overjoyed and said to Zhang Gaoqiu:

"If you can achieve this, ruin this marriage, I will reward you generously, and you won’t lack benefits from me in the future."

"I’ll go back immediately and ask my family’s elders to step in." Zhang Gaoqiu confidently vowed.

Inside the Academy

Jiang Nan was browsing through a book in her hands, taking diligent notes, while a few classmates beside her were also studying.

Suddenly someone spoke up, "Jiang Nan, when did you manage to climb up the Zhong Family’s high branch and gain Zhong Xiang’s protection? You must teach us, so we can learn your methods and also attach ourselves to influential people."

Jiang Nan replied without raising her head, "Miss Zhong Xiang and I hit it off immediately; she has a discerning eye and insisted on becoming my best friend. I’m not sure why I caught Miss Zhong’s Dharma Eye."

Her voice carried a hint of pride. Ever since befriending Zhong Xiang, she had become very popular in the Academy, with countless people trying to please her to get closer to Zhong Xiang.

"Once you’re successful, don’t forget about me. You must support me more," someone praised Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan, adept at socializing, looked up and laughed, covering her mouth with bright eyes and white teeth, "I still need to wait for success in the future; you’re already successful, so hurry and support me now."

After a while of playful banter, someone suddenly said, "I’ve heard Zhong Xiang is getting engaged. You must prepare a gift."

"Zhong Xiang is getting engaged? That’s surprising. Who could be worthy of Zhong Xiang?" Jiang Nan was astonished, "I haven’t heard any news."

"It has just started spreading," said the person.

"Who is marrying Zhong Xiang, picking this flower from the Zhong Family?" Someone urged for information.

"I’ve heard it’s someone named Zhang Chen," the person replied.

"Zhang Chen? I’ve heard of him! He stirred up quite a storm in Kyoto, involving Prince Pingbian’s Mansion and the Eight Great Clans, causing a mess. I never thought he would end up with Zhong Xiang," someone revealed Zhang Chen’s background.

...

The crowd gossiped about Zhang Chen’s affairs, and when Jiang Nan heard Zhang Chen’s name, her mind went blank as if she lost awareness of her surroundings. Everything became hazy and distant, brain buzzing, heart feeling as if it was tightly grasped, painfully difficult to breathe.

"He’s really getting engaged?" This was the only thought in Jiang Nan’s mind. The news came too suddenly. Just the previous day, Zhang Chen asked if she would marry him; she ridiculed him for having no money or ability to get a wife and directly rejected him. Who would have thought he’d get engaged the next day?

Although she never intended to marry Zhang Chen, he was her backup, her man alone. How could he now belong to someone else?

Especially thinking about how Zhong Xiang was superior in every way and came from a better family made her feel even more uncomfortable.

Zhang Chen was meant to be her backup; she thought she could keep him hooked, but now her backup seemed to have slipped away.

"How is this possible? How can this be?" Jiang Nan’s head was buzzing, a tide of indescribable emotion rushed in, making her wish to run out and find Zhang Chen to demand an explanation. But sadly, she didn’t even have the right to question Zhang Chen since she had previously rejected him.

"What should I do? That scoundrel is going to marry another woman; what should I do?" Jiang Nan’s head was buzzing, her heart in total chaos.

"Jiang Nan! Jiang Nan! What are you thinking? We are talking to you, but you didn’t hear us?" Her friend’s voice called out, and Jiang Nan gradually came to her senses, looking pale at her friends, "I was lost in thought; what were you saying?"

"Why is your complexion so pale? Your appearance is not looking good," her friend looked at Jiang Nan with concern, words filled with worry, "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine, just didn’t rest well last night," Jiang Nan forced a smile at her friend.

"By the way, Zhong Xiang is getting engaged; what gift are you planning to give? We can help you think it over. The Zhong Family is now a wealthy household, sending ordinary gifts could be embarrassing," her friend said to Jiang Nan, "Zhong Xiang is also your strong supporter now; you can’t send too shabby a gift, lest it angers them."

"I’ll think about the gift some more; it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it needs to be thoughtful. The Zhong Family is indeed of high status. If you send a costly gift, they might not appreciate it, but if the gift touches them deeply, won’t they surely remember you?" Someone agreed with Jiang Nan’s reasoning, subtly flattering her.