A group of youngsters strolled towards their table, while leading the group was a handsome and tall boy, walking with a heavy and arrogant gait. He smiled as he stared at Leng Yueyan. "Long time no see, cousin," he said.
Not even bothering to glance at Qin Meng. For him, Qin Meng was no more than a clown whom he had bullied numerous times in the past—if it wasn't for Leng Yueyan, he'd have made Qin Meng's life miserable.
"Are you here to have lunch, Ye Fa?" asked Leng Yueyan with an expressionless face, and stood together with Qin Meng, grasping his hand tightly. "We're already done. You can have the table if you want."
Ye Fa's smile froze and his expression became gloomy. He eyed Qin Meng for the first time and again turned towards Leng Yueyan. "No, it's fine. I'm here to just inform you, it isn't good for your reputation to roam around with poor and orphans."
"What did you say?!" Leng Yueyan growled and before anyone could understand anything, Ye Fa was hanging in her hand by his neck. His eyes bulged and tears rolled out of the corner of his eyes and over his cheeks, veins bulging on his forehead.
Leng Yueyan didn't seem to care about his condition and looked at his pale face and said frostily, "There are some things you should never speak about, and there are some people you should never provoke. Remember that. It's your first mistake. You won't be so lucky the next time."
Then she threw him on the ground like a rotten log and turned to leave. Ye Fa coughed, spit and saliva splattering, and then he took a few long and deep breaths, calming. He peered at Leng Yueyan's fading back and said, "Derus Empire has sent an envoy to House Ye. Your little love story is about to end."
Leng Yueyan halted and turned towards Ye Fa. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"You'll know when you reach there, hehe," he chuckled, as if he knew a great secret that Leng Yueyan was unaware of—but his smile didn't last long as his neck was once again in Leng Yueyan's claws.
"You never learn, do you? I don't like to repeat myself. Even if I cripple you at this moment, no one would dare to go against me. Not even your parents." Her voice was cold as ice. "Speak."
And then released him. This time Ye Fa's eyes were filled with terror; he'd never seen such a thick killing intent in her eyes ever before. He never thought Leng Yueyan would dare to take his life. However, when he glimpsed the rage within her eyes, he knew he was wrong.
"The envoy is here for a marriage—"
Leng Yueyan vanished before Ye Fa could even finish his sentence.
Qin Meng stood there alone at the entrance of the cafeteria, stunned and helpless.
Ye Fa stumbled to his feet and gazed at Qin Meng with ridicule. "Are you still daydreaming about Leng Yueyan? Don't be naïve. She is destined to marry a prince of Derus Empire, and even she can't stop it." He spat on the ground and curled his lip into a mocking smile.
***
A group of people was chatting inside a hall that had towering pillars—covered in intricate engravings of flowers and petals and leaves—supporting the ceiling and the chandeliers hanging by it, while the tapestries dangled on the stone walls. The floor was covered in a beautiful red carpet that had fancy designs.
The windows were cut on the walls, acting as ventilators and also providing sunlight. Though at the moment, they were covered in colorful curtains. There were also engravings on the walls, but they weren't the same engravings on the pillars. This was the work of the proficient Talisman Masters, as they were responsible for controlling the temperature inside the hall.
"So what do you say, Mr. Ye?" said a dignified-looking man. He had thick brows and red hair. His dark eyes were sharp as an eagle's and his nose was long and pointed. He had broad shoulders and a gentle smile on his face.
Ye De, the master of House Ye, hesitated. His brother Ye Dong, sitting beside him, noticed his brother's expression and laughed. "Of course, we're happy to marry Leng Yueyan to Prince Han Deming. He has a grade nine Martial Spirit similar to Leng Yueyan. Who could match her better than him? Ain't I right brother?"
Ye De eyed his brother and then nodded.
"Perfect!" exclaimed the envoy of Derus Empire, and then clapped. A group of ladies entered the hall with trays in their hands, covered in red clothes. Red color, the color of joy, and also the color of blood. "This is a small betrothal gift—"
"Bang!" A body was smashed into the hall from outside, crashing into the women who had just entered with trays. A high-pitched noise echoed as the trays hit the marbled floor, and everything scattered inside them: gems and medicines and pills and gold and diamond and everything else that they were carrying.
The people in the hall rose from their seats, and furious expressions emerged on their faces. "Who dared to be so presumptuous?!" shouted Ye Dong.
A figure appeared in the hall, and Ye Dong's expression froze.
"What are you doing, Leng Yueyan," said Ye De, with an unpleasant expression. "We're in an important discussion."
"Oh, may I know what kind of discussion?" she sneered. Her face remained cold, like a frozen block of ice, as she stared at her father.
"This…" Ye De hesitated, then he looked at the people around him and said, "Can you, please, give me some time with my daughter?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Ye," said the envoy gently. Not bothered by the turn of events. "I understand."
And then everyone left the hall.
Ye De eyed her and said, "I know you like Qin Meng, and I was the one who engaged you with him when you were just five years old. At that time his family had a huge influence in the kingdom. However, now he is a nobody. He can give you nothing. I think… Prince Han Deming is a good choice."
"Ye De, remain in your limit," said Leng Yueyan with a furious face. "Do you think I know nothing?"
Ye De's heart skipped a beat, and a stunned look emerged on his face. This was the first time Leng Yueyan had called him by his name, but it was the last thing he cared about at the moment. Instead, it was her second sentence that bothered him.
She knows!