Chapter 400: Breaking Off the Engagement

Yu Zhizhi gazed at the knight in black armor. Though she couldn’t see his face, she had a vague sense that he was the very same...

Wild Dog.

She hadn’t seen him at the port in the Chelsea Territory last time. She never expected him to be here now.

Faced with the young man’s question, Yu Zhizhi was at a loss for how to answer.

Cang Lan looked at her.

The marriage alliance... the matter of the marriage alliance... Yu Zhizhi replied softly, "I was the one who proposed it. The marriage alliance with Prince Canglan."

’Back then, I had no other choice to complete my mission.’

’The Big Tiger was just too difficult to approach.’

The Lord of Paradise, who was standing nearest to her, felt his jaw tighten. A flicker of resentment crossed his heterochromatic eyes as he did his best to suppress the flames of jealousy rising within him.

"I’m also..." Yu Zhizhi continued, "very grateful that Prince Canglan agreed to my request back then."

Shen He’s expression was initially grave, but his brows twitched when he heard the rest of her sentence.

’Grateful?’

’Why does it sound like the little rabbit didn’t choose the Crown Prince of Moonrise out of "love"?’

The scene fell silent, leaving only the sound of the wind.

All eyes were on her, listening.

The servants of the Extreme Ice Palace, the envoys of the Delegation, and the knights of the Knight Alliance all wore expressions of confusion.

The meaning behind the Rabbit Clan Lady’s words was clear: she hadn’t been coerced by the Crown Prince; she had initiated it herself. However, her tone held no joy or affection. It seemed she had done it for... something else.

Cang Lan’s brows drew together tightly. He understood what this little rabbit meant.

In fact, he had never believed she was truly sincere from the start. He had even forced her to say certain things during the public interview.

But now, hearing his own suspicions confirmed by the little rabbit herself, he grew increasingly agitated. "Enough! The marriage is settled. There’s no need for further discussion!"

Shen He sneered. "Enough of what? Miss Rabbit isn’t finished. What’s the matter, are you afraid? Afraid she’ll say ’I don’t want you’ to your face?"

There was no way Shen He would let this go.

He could more or less discern her "true feelings" from the little rabbit’s hesitant words.

Whatever her reason for coming to the Extreme Ice Palace or proposing the marriage alliance, at this moment, anyone could see that the little rabbit regretted her decision.

Her phrasing held none of the joy of a bride-to-be; it sounded more like a tactful "breakup declaration."

Naturally, Shen He wanted to hear the rest.

Cang Lan’s form, hovering in the air, remained as arrogant as ever. His golden-brown eyes were bone-chillingly cold, and the golden sword suspended behind him pulsed with a faint light, as if mirroring his current mood.

Yu Zhizhi didn’t dare look at him.

’In a way, I deceived Prince Canglan.’

’But...’

’Things have come to this. I’m carrying the Golden Tiger Cub now. I have to find a way to leave.’

Yu Zhizhi’s hands slowly clenched the hem of her skirt. After a long hesitation, she decided to bow in Cang Lan’s direction. "I’m sorry."

The servants of the Extreme Ice Palace stared, their eyes wide.

When those two words—"I’m sorry"—were spoken, the meaning was all too clear!

The Lizard Servant stared blankly at the Rabbit Clan Lady’s back. ’Is she planning to abandon the Crown Prince?’

Yu Zhizhi slowly straightened up. Though she was panicking inside, she did her best to speak clearly. "Regarding the marriage alliance, I don’t think... we’re a good match. I’m sorry. I was too impulsive before..."

Cang Lan looked down at her, his gaze cold.

The image of the little rabbit leaning softly against him surfaced in his mind, her cheeks flushed red, her misty eyes filled with bashfulness.

Eagerly...

wanting to be closer to him.

That night in the side hall, she had snuggled tightly in his arms, and they had held each other all night long.

After that, everything changed.

Cang Lan had heard many stories about high-level females in the Empire who were fickle in love, who would use someone and then abandon them.

He never thought it would one day happen to him.

’I said so much in one breath,’ Yu Zhizhi thought. She was extremely nervous. ’Did I make myself clear?’

The councilor elder’s expression was complicated. ’Today, in front of so many people, the Crown Prince has been utterly rejected. As for the marriage with Ms. Zhi Zhi, the only one we can count on now is probably the Lord of Paradise.’

Just then, an abrupt laugh erupted from the back of the giant Sea Whale.

Shen He finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. He burst into unrestrained laughter.

"HAHAHA!"

’I knew this trip wasn’t for nothing!’

’The little rabbit really doesn’t want to marry him!’

’I don’t care what her attitude was before. If she doesn’t want to now, that’s all that matters!’

In short, Shen He was absolutely ecstatic!

The envoys of the Deep Sea Mission didn’t dare say a word. The brown-haired young man standing beside the Sea Whale had a helpless look on his face.

’...Lord Shen He’s laughter is a bit too loud.’

The corners of the Lord of Paradise’s lips curved up slightly. The fire of jealousy in his heart subsided a bit. ’At least, the little rabbit doesn’t like this tiger.’

"...Heh." Cang Lan suddenly laughed as well.

He crossed his arms, his eyes cold and deep. "It seems Ms. Zhi Zhi wishes to call off the engagement?"

Yu Zhizhi pursed her lips. She looked up at the solitary, arrogant figure in golden armor and slowly nodded.

Cang Lan scoffed. "Coming and going as you please. What do you take this place for?"

His eyes grew darker as he declared, his voice firm, "Our marriage will not be changed. As for the rest of you—if you wish to offer congratulations, then do so. If you wish to fight, then bring it on!"

Shen He tightened his grip on his long saber. "You’re courting death."

The councilor elder looked over in astonishment.

’Your Highness!’

’Ms. Zhi Zhi has already made herself perfectly clear! Saying that is tantamount to declaring war on everyone here!’

’Forced arrangements never end well...’

’How could His Highness not understand such a simple truth?’

In the elder’s eyes, His Highness wasn’t the type to be so pushy. He had never cared about marriage alliances before and had shown no interest in any female.

Just as the elder was wondering how to stop him and persuade His Highness to reconsider, a soldier from the front lines of the Extreme Ice Palace arrived with a report—

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Lord Councilor! The Valoran Delegation and the Divine Hall Alliance have arrived together! And with them is the Law Enforcement Team of the Three Great Empire Alliance..."

The councilor elder was startled. "The Valoran Empire is with the Divine Hall Alliance? And the Law enforcement team is with them?"

"Y-yes," the soldier reported every detail. "It seems they have an important announcement to make."

’An important announcement...’

’Why does it feel like the Valoran Delegation came prepared this time?’

The councilor elder’s head was starting to throb.

He quickly interjected, "Everyone, please, calm yourselves. Regarding the matter of the marriage alliance, since everyone is here now, why don’t we all have a proper discussion."

The Valoran Delegation, the Divine Hall Alliance, and the Law Enforcement Team soon arrived before the assembled crowd.

Little Octopus, who loved a good spectacle, exclaimed, "Whoa! So many people! The Valoran Empire must be here to take you home!"