Chapter 83 : Breaking Off the Engagement

Chapter 83: Breaking Off the Engagement

“She actually dared not come!”

Yu Xuanfeng’s expression darkened slightly, and even the blazing sun overhead could not dispel it.

His originally good mood vanished without a trace, while an indescribable sense of urgency rose in his heart.

That sword strike from the Sword Saint of Cangshan at dusk yesterday—once it spread, it would inevitably draw the attention of the other princes.

As the Sixth Prince, he was already two or three years younger than the princes above him, which had always placed him at a disadvantage.

If the Sword Saint were to become an aid to the other princes as well, then the obstacles between him and that position would multiply.

He might even lose the qualification to step into that contest at all.

If he could not obtain him, then he would certainly have to destroy him.

“No, absolutely not!”

Yu Xuanfeng calmed his emotions, and a gentle smile once more appeared on his face as he said loudly, “During this demonic siege upon the city, it was all thanks to the soldiers of Qingzhou and Senior Sword Saint of Cangshan.”

“More than one hundred and sixty thousand demons were slain, and three Lower Tier Demon Kings of the Demon Kingdom were killed.”

“I will record these merits one by one and report them to Imperial Father!”

“I make this promise here: I will certainly report the merits of every one of you. Three days from now, rewards will be distributed here according to merit!”

Yu Xuanfeng’s voice rang out with force. With the support of True Qi, it was like thunder, echoing above the City Lord’s Residence.

The soldiers and the major families all beamed with joy and bowed repeatedly.

Under the Sixth Prince’s lengthy words and promises, the cheers lasted for the time it took an incense stick to burn before gradually subsiding.

The soldiers left in orderly fashion, and the major families also gradually dispersed.

When Yu Xuanfeng saw the figure of the Jiang Family Head, he stepped forward and said softly, “Family Head Jiang, during this city defense and demon-slaying battle, the Jiang Family rendered great merit. I will also report it to Imperial Father… however.”

The originally smiling Jiang Family Head stiffened slightly when he heard the word “however.”

He instinctively looked at the Sixth Prince and respectfully bowed as he said, “Please speak plainly, Your Highness.”

During this defense of the city, his Jiang Family had not slackened in the slightest and had practically gone all out.

After all, once the city fell, the Jiang Family would also face disaster.

Or rather, for any great family surviving in Qingzhou, the city stood and the family stood; if the city perished, the family perished. There could be no other possibility.

If anyone had been negligent, it should have been the Zhou Family.

The matter of the Zhou Family’s direct heir dying on a woman’s bed during wartime had already spread.

Such a thing simply could not be concealed.

The smile on Yu Xuanfeng’s face did not change as he softly said, “When I came to Qingzhou this time, I fought several great demons and was heavily injured several times. It was entirely thanks to the Young Lady of the Li Family that I was saved.”

“After making inquiries, I learned that this Young Lady of the Li Family possessed astonishing medical skill. She had once cured the plague by her own strength and had treated the common people in the streets. She could truly be called benevolent-hearted as a healer, virtuous and gentle.”

“Her appearance and figure are both exceptional, and she possesses both talent and virtue. She has the bearing of a prince’s secondary consort. What does Family Head Jiang think?”

Hearing this, the Jiang Family Head was completely stunned. The smile on his face gradually disappeared, and even his body trembled slightly.

For a moment, he did not know what to say.

A dignified prince had actually set his sights so openly on the wife of one of his subjects?

And he had said it so grandly and righteously.

Even though Jiang Hong had a good temper, at this moment, anger gradually rose within him.

Yet he did not dare show the slightest trace of it, because the person before him was the Sixth Prince, the son of the current Emperor, and very possibly a future Crown Prince.

Even if the Jiang Family were ten times stronger, it still could not contend against the imperial house.

“Family Head Jiang, I have already reported to Imperial Father that I wish to take Miss Yunqing of the Li Family as a secondary consort. I do not wish for matters concerning Miss Yunqing’s reputation in Qingzhou to spread.”

“This time, the Jiang Family rendered merit in defending the city, and I will also report that. But as for how it ends, that will depend on Family Head Jiang’s choice.”

The smile on Yu Xuanfeng’s face did not change, and his expression remained gentle. After speaking, he even slightly cupped his hands before turning to leave.

Looking at the Sixth Prince’s back, all of Jiang Hong’s pent-up anger instantly vanished without a trace, leaving behind only endless bitterness in his heart.

Li Yunqing’s appearance and figure were not merely exceptional—she was practically like an immortal maiden in the mortal world, and her talent was extraordinarily outstanding.

Behind her was also the regard of the Sword Saint of Cangshan.

Since his son liked her, he had naturally done his utmost to facilitate it.

He had thought that after the engagement was settled, the matter had already become final, but now, she had become someone his Jiang Family could no longer reach.

Anger and bitterness alternated in Jiang Hong’s heart until, after returning to the Jiang Family, he finally accepted the matter.

When a prince reported to the Emperor that he wished to take a woman as a secondary consort, regardless of that woman’s status, as long as her background was clean, the matter was basically already decided.

All the more so for Li Yunqing.

When the time came, an imperial decree would certainly be issued as well, granting her sufficient favor and honor.

His son’s marriage was clearly no longer possible, and the engagement had to be broken off as quickly as possible, without letting it spread.

Unknowingly, Jiang Hong arrived at Jiang Yu’s courtyard.

Looking at his son, who was working hard at cultivation in an attempt to break through to the Qi Realm, he truly did not know how to begin.

“Yu’er!”

After hesitating for a long while, Jiang Hong still opened his mouth and said, “Today, go to the Li Family and break off the engagement.”

The moment those words were spoken, Jiang Yu froze completely. His eyes instantly reddened, his breathing turned heavy, and he said without hesitation, “Impossible!”

“Why should the engagement be broken off for no reason at all?”

“Father, it’s not as though you don’t know—I care deeply for Junior Sister Yunqing. I must marry her.”

“How about choosing an auspicious day this very month and completing the wedding?”

Looking at Jiang Yu’s appearance and hearing his words, Jiang Hong let out a long sigh. “The Sixth Prince has taken a liking to Miss Yunqing.”

Jiang Yu’s expression stiffened, then he lifted his neck stubbornly and said, “I’m already engaged to Junior Sister Yunqing. By what right?”

Hearing this, the anger in Jiang Hong’s heart also surged. “By what right?”

“Because he is a prince!”

“Because his father is the current Emperor!”

“Because among the seventeen or eighteen Grandmasters known to the world, at least five are in the imperial palace!”

“Because the imperial clan is powerful and has Divine Realm experts overseeing it!”

“Because every hidden sect must show the imperial clan respect and obey its orders!”

At this point, Jiang Hong sighed again and said helplessly, “It took the efforts of several generations of the Jiang Family to reach where we are today. We cannot decline because of one woman.”

“And the Jiang Family absolutely cannot be destroyed because of you alone. Do you understand?”

“Go to the Li Family right now, retrieve the marriage document, and break off the engagement. You are not to make it public!”

Hearing Jiang Hong’s words, Jiang Yu stood there in a daze, his expression blank and withered.

How could he not understand? The Jiang Family looked strong in Qingzhou, but before the imperial clan… no, even a small family in the capital could easily crush the Jiang Family to death.

Let alone the imperial clan that ruled the world.

Nor could he drag the entire Jiang Family into irredeemable ruin because of Li Yunqing.

This was the result of the efforts of several generations of the Jiang Family before it became what it was today.

As a son, even if he could not repay the family, at the very least he could not bring disaster upon it.

Jiang Yu’s eyes reddened, and he breathed heavily, but when he thought of those consequences, he had no choice but to suppress the anger in his heart. His lips trembled as he said, “I understand.”

Only after speaking did he walk out of the Jiang Family in a daze, his steps heavy as he headed toward the Li Family.

Li Yunqing’s past words suddenly echoed in his mind.

“We’ve only known each other for a few days. How could there be any talk of affection?”

“For the family that raised me!”

“As a woman, wasn’t this already a fate long since decided?”

At this moment, he finally understood how Li Yunqing had been able to say those words so calmly back then.

When circumstances were stronger than people, for the sake of one’s loved ones, for the sake of one’s family, and also for one’s own sake, even if one was unwilling in every possible way, one still had to learn to accept it.

“Back then, was she just like I am today?”

“But how had she managed to remain so calm?”

Jiang Yu’s expression was bitter.

He only felt as though his heart were being clenched tightly by an invisible hand. Every beat brought pain that sank into the bone.

His hands clenched tightly, and droplets of blood fell from between his fingers, yet he did not notice in the slightest.

Fight against the imperial clan?

The Jiang Family was not worthy of that!

Run away with her? But under this vast heaven and earth, where could they find a place to stay?

And what of the family? What of their loved ones?

“Junior Sister Yunqing… I think I understand how you felt back then.”

Jiang Yu murmured. All sorts of emotions tangled within his heart, as though a vat of dyes had been overturned, every color mixing together, impossible to sort out and impossible to cut apart.

There was not the slightest clue, nor the slightest solution.

Standing before the gates of the Li Family, he slightly raised his head and looked at those broad gates.

He could not resist, so he could only accept.

This was not just the fate of women, but the fate of all people under heaven. The strong were revered—nothing more than that.

How could he be an exception?

Only after a long while did Jiang Yu weakly speak.

“Jiang Yu requests an audience with the Young Lady of the Li Family. I ask that this be announced!”