Chapter 43: Strategy, Stepping Stone

"The Annulment of the Engagement Based on Equality"

It has to be said that Yun Tianming's proposal is very reasonable, and it takes into full consideration the face of the Xiao Family. Even Xiao Yan himself has nothing to say.

"Yan'er, what are your thoughts?"

Xiao Zhan handed the final decision to his son.

"Father, I..."

Xiao Yan opened his mouth, and although the tone used was questioning, the approving gaze from Xiao Zhan's eyes indicated the latter's acceptance of Yun Tianming's proposal.

Amidst the expectant gaze of everyone in the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan sighed deeply, preparing to compromise.

However, just as everyone reached a consensus, an discordant voice echoed in the hall.

"I do not agree with this proposal."

Xiao Xun'er showed no expression.

"Xun'er, this is..."

Xiao Zhan frowned. Though nominally belonging to the Xiao Family, she was, in reality, the young lady from a mysterious family. Xiao Yan engaged to the Nalan Family, logically, Xun'er, as an outsider, had no reason to intervene.

The rest of the Xiao Family felt surprised as well. They couldn't understand why the usually gentle and amiable Xiao Xun'er had suddenly become so aggressively opposed. Even the proactive concession from the Misty Cloud Sect, offering them a way out, was not accepted in compromise.

Facing the perplexity of everyone, Xiao Xun'er did not offer a specific explanation. Instead, she looked at Xiao Yan, who was also puzzled, and whispered, "Brother Xiao Yan, please believe Xun'er."

Xiao Yan was first taken aback, then nodded heavily, "Alright! I believe you!"

"What do you want?"

Nalan Yanran clenched her teeth, looking at Xiao Xun'er with a disgruntled expression.

Ge Ye looked at Xun'er with eyes full of fear, not daring to express any opinions.

"Calm down, Yanran. Discussions should have a limit. Let's first hear what the other side has to say."

Yun Tianming remained calm, giving off a sense of steadiness like water.

Even Xiao Xun'er couldn't help but think in her heart: This person handles things with utmost care; he might be someone worth getting to know.

"Annul the engagement, fine."

"But this matter cannot be decided by you."

"The dignity of the Xiao Clan does not tolerate others' offenses!"

Xiao Xun'er's icy voice carried a naturally domineering tone.

"..."

The members of the Xiao Family exchanged glances, feeling an indescribable pressure. While Xiao Xun'er's words were meant to uphold the dignity of the Xiao Family, how could they respond? The people of the Xiao Family were self-aware; presently, the strongest in the Xiao Family were only Dou Grandmasters, confined to the outskirts of Wu Tan City in the Jia Ma Empire, guarding their own small piece of land. To put it bluntly, the so-called dignity of the Xiao Family wasn't worth much.

"???"

Nalan Yanran was full of question marks, wanting to express her frustration: You, a small Xiao Family, on what grounds do you speak so forcefully? The Nalan Family, one of the three major families in the Imperial Capital, and the Misty Cloud Sect, the top sect in the Jia Ma Empire—aren't they more dignified than your Xiao Family?

Yun Tianming frowned. At this moment, he was the only one who discerned the underlying meaning in Xiao Xun'er's words.

Xiao Clan! The dignity of the ancient eight clans!

But the Xiao Clan had long since declined, relegated to the peripheral lands of the continent, living a meager existence like ants, and they couldn't speak of any dignity. Yun Tianming couldn't help but speculate on Xiao Xun'er's true thoughts.

"Well said, Xun'er!"

Xiao Yan, full of youthful recklessness and hot blood, eyes shining with enthusiasm, as if inspired by something tremendous. He suddenly turned his head, pointing at Nalan Yanran, shouting each word, "Miss Nalan, for the sake of Old Master Nalan's face, Xiao Yan advises you with a few words: Thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west bank. Don't bully the youth for being poor!!"

It happened!

The classic quote from the original work!

However, the trigger for it seemed a bit different from the description in the book.

Yun Tianming's gaze sharpened as he immediately shifted his eyes to the other side, where Xiao Xun'er was.

Xiao Xun'er was looking at Xiao Yan with a sly smile, a contented expression on her face.

Is this woman intentionally provoking Xiao Yan?

No one would have expected that the seemingly innocent and lovely perfect girl before them actually mastered the art of charming hearts!

"Yan'er, what are you..."

Xiao Zhan's expression was complicated, even the tea cup in his hand couldn't help but tremble. He really wanted to say, 'Yan'er, are you acting a bit too much? How should we end this now?'

"Are you teaching me how to handle things?"

Gritting her teeth and glaring at the confident young man in front of her, Nalan Yanran, spoiled since childhood and aside from Yun Tianming, unable to accept advice from anyone of her age, was now infuriated to the point of losing her head and couldn't help but retort on the spot.

"Yanran, let me handle this matter."

Yun Tianming intervened, stopping the impending outburst from Nalan Yanran. His gaze shifted from Xiao Yan to the other side, where Xiao Xun'er was. He was well aware of who the real decision-maker in the current Xiao Family was.

"A wise person speaks plainly. Miss Xun'er, feel free to express your thoughts."

Yun Tianming remained neither humble nor overbearing, maintaining great restraint in his words.

This move made Nalan Yanran, standing beside him, feel a pang in her heart. She couldn't help but think, "Senior Tianming, why are you so humble today? And why are you so courteous to the women of the Xiao Family?"

If Yun Tianming heard her inner thoughts, he would surely feel wronged. After all, the other party was the heiress of the Gu Clan, the true young lady at the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent. In a dark corner of the hall right now, the strongest Dou Emperor of the Gu Clan was still staring at him intently!

Therefore, Yun Tianming had to show utmost respect to Xiao Xun'er. In case he offended her, the consequences would be dire!

"You are a smart person. I won't beat around the bush."

Xiao Xun'er cast a deep look at Yun Tianming, then turned to Xiao Yan, who was filled with enthusiasm, and whispered, "Brother Xiao Yan, please personally draft a letter of annulment in the name of the Xiao Family to annul the engagement with the fiancée from the Nalan Family."

"Alright!"

Xiao Yan subconsciously nodded and turned to the desk to pick up paper and pen. However, he froze and turned back, looking at Xiao Xun'er with a face full of disbelief.

"Huh??"

Goodness, your casual tone made it sound like a simple homework assignment, almost deceiving him! Xiao Yan's face was filled with astonishment, mouth agape.

"You... you dare to annul our engagement?"

Nalan Yanran widened her eyes, her delicate face filled with anger, absurdity, and disbelief. With her beauty, talent, and the backing of the Misty Cloud Sect, she was actually being directly annulled by someone considered a waste in a small family? Faced with this sudden turn of events, she was on the verge of passing out from anger!

Yun Tianming's expression darkened, and he finally guessed Xiao Xun'er's true intentions.

This woman was clearly deliberately setting up an imaginary enemy for Xiao Yan to inspire his growth and strength. In plain terms, she was using Nalan Yanran and the Misty Cloud Sect as stepping stones on Xiao Yan's path to becoming stronger!

Clever strategy.

In my previous life, while reading the book, I always thought Xun'er was considerate of the protagonist, portraying a perfect and innocent image of a girlfriend.

Now it seems, this woman is definitely not that simple!

You know, is there a possibility that in the original work, Xiao Yan's early growth trajectory was largely influenced by the behind-the-scenes guidance of Xiao Xun'er? The most direct evidence is that during Xiao Yan's training, Xiao Xun'er dispatched Ling Ying to secretly protect him. In fact, Ling Ying has indeed saved Xiao Yan's life several times in moments of danger. Thinking about it in this way is both intriguing and terrifying!

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