Chapter 1824: Chapter 1821: Marrying In
The auction on Purple Cloud Star was set to take place in five days. During this time, Cheng Minxue took Ling Feng around the city. From unique delicacies to enchanting scenery, Ling Feng experienced the charm of Purple Cloud Star and felt a long-lost sense of peace.
However, what made Ling Feng uneasy was that the look in Cheng Minxueâs eyes seemed a bit off, with a mix of intensity and a hint of shyness.
"Could she be falling for me?" This thought flashed in Ling Fengâs mind but was quickly dismissed. He felt that he and Cheng Minxue had known each other for too short a time and hadnât shared any special moments. How could she possibly like him?
"Brother Feng, the food here is renowned on the entire Purple Cloud Star. Letâs go and try it!" Cheng Minxue said with a smile, her eyes curving into crescents.
Ling Feng sighed with a wry smile: "Another renowned delicacy? How many of these have we tasted over the past few days? Letâs head back. Iâd like to discuss the auction with the Head of the Cheng Family!"
"Letâs eat first. We can go back afterward. Besides, if you have any questions, you can ask me!" Cheng Minxue said confidently. "I know no less about the auction than my father does!"
Just as Ling Feng was about to respond, a group of people appeared ahead, led by someone Ling Feng was familiar withâpeople from the Ximen Family!
"Why are the Ximen Family here on Purple Cloud Star? Could they be here for the auction too, or...?" A hint of doubt arose in Ling Fengâs mind.
Indeed, among the group, Ling Feng saw Ximen Qi, and beside him was another familiar face, Zuo Yuqi from the Zuo Family!
"So thatâs what it is!" Ling Feng seemed to understand. Could Ximen Qi be here because of the marriage between Ximen Shuang and Zuo Yuqi?
"Brother Feng, letâs hurry inside!" With Ling Feng slightly dazed, Cheng Minxue pulled him into the store.
Ximen Qi glanced over, furrowing his brow: "I think I saw a familiar silhouette!"
"Oh, thatâs Cheng Minxue from the Cheng Family!" Zuo Yuqi said, eyeing Ling Feng beside Cheng Minxue with a hint of jealousy. Although he knew Ximen Shuangâs beauty was not inferior to Cheng Minxueâs, seeing a beauty already claimed stirred jealousy within him.
"And the man?" Ximen Qi felt the back view of Ling Feng was somewhat familiar.
"Thatâs Cheng Minxueâs pretty boy, said to be Ling Feng!" Zuo Yuqi remarked indifferently.
Ximen Qi nodded slightly, then addressed the middle-aged man beside him: "Brother Zuo, Iâve come mainly to discuss the marriage between Ximen Shuang from my family and your esteemed son!"
The middle-aged man nodded: "Alright, letâs talk over a meal!"
Once inside, in a private booth, the Patriarch of the Zuo Family chuckled: "Brother Ximen, what brings you here at this time? I was just about to visit the Ximen Family for a marriage proposal after the auction!"
Ximen Qi looked slightly embarrassed: "Actually... thereâs been a change concerning our marriage alliance!"
"Whatâs going on? Does the Ximen Family intend to back out?" The Patriarch of the Zuo Family frowned. "Brother Ximen, it was you who initially proposed the marriage alliance with our Zuo Family!"
"We are not backing out!" Ximen Qi quickly said: "When I was the acting family head, I decided on the alliance with the Zuo Family to strengthen ties for mutual benefit. Now that my father has awakened, he has no major objection to my decision, but he does have one request!"
Upon hearing this, the expression of the Patriarch of the Zuo Family slowed: "What request does the Head of Ximen Family have?"
"Um..." Ximen Qi took a deep breath: "My father agreed to our familiesâ alliance, but he requests that Wise Nephew Zuo marries into our Ximen Family..."
Before Ximen Qi could finish, the Patriarch of the Zuo Family widened his eyes in disbelief: "What? Brother Ximen, you must be joking! How can a member of our Zuo Family marry into the Ximen Family? This is absurd, Brother Ximen. Are you here to deliberately insult the Zuo Family?"
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Ximen Qi quickly said: "Please, Brother Zuo, calm down. Itâs not what you think! Actually... my father has already designated Ximen Shuang as one of the successors of the family head!"
"Hiss!" The Patriarch of the Zuo Family couldnât help but gasp: "Ximen Shuang, a candidate for family headâhow can that be? Sheâs a girl, how could she possibly become the head of the Ximen Family?"
Ximen Qi sighed with a wry smile: "We didnât believe it either, but itâs the truth. With my fatherâs support, what difference does it make that sheâs a girl?"
The Patriarch of the Zuo Family fell silent. Initially, he felt insulted and angry, but after listening to Ximen Qi, he became tempted!
If Ximen Shuang truly becomes the head of the Ximen Family, what harm is there in Zuo Yuqi marrying into their family? After all, Zuo Familyâs heirs are not limited to Zuo Yuqi, and aligning with the Ximen Family is certainly more beneficial than harmful!
Seeing his father fall silent, Zuo Yuqi panicked! He certainly didnât want to marry into the Ximen Family; he had always been a free spirit. If he were to marry into their family, there was no way he could live as freely as he did with the Zuo Family!
After all, a man marrying into another family is naturally at a disadvantage, his status even lower than a princess of a political marriage. Simply put, he would just be a breeding tool and a bridge for alliance!
Such a prospect Zuo Yuqi could not accept.
"I cannot accept this!" Seeing his fatherâs interest, Zuo Yuqi couldnât hold back and stood up: "As a respectable man of the Zuo Family, marrying into another family is disgraceful..."
"Silence!" Before he could continue, his father, the Patriarch of the Zuo Family, cut him off: "I will consider this matter. Moreover, it concerns the Ximen Family!"
A faint smile appeared on Ximen Qiâs face, indicating that the Patriarch of the Zuo Family seemed amenable to the Ximen Familyâs request! It made sense though; becoming the husband of the Ximen Familyâs head could elevate the Zuo Family in more ways than one!
After all, the Ximen Family is one of the Three Great Powers of the Ancient Ruins, whereas the Zuo Family is only one of the Five Great Families at the annual conference, lacking the strength or power to rival the Ximen Family!
This was the reason for the Patriarch of the Zuo Family to contemplate this matter.
For him, the primary consideration is whether it benefits the Zuo Family! As for the heirs of the Zuo Family, apart from Zuo Yuqi, there are other direct lineage members. It wasnât as if he had only one son!
Zuo Yuqi felt deeply frustrated. If he were married into their family, wouldnât those young masters have a field day laughing at him? Over his dead body would he marry in!