"Senior Brother Tianming! Yanran has another request."
Nalan Yanran looked shy, a young girl experiencing her first love, afraid of misinterpreting Yun Tianming's intentions. Therefore, she wanted to further confirm Yun Tianming's thoughts.
"Oh? Yanran's matters are my matters, you can speak frankly."
A glint flashed in Yun Tianming's eyes, he had faintly guessed what the other party's next request would be.
"Mmm~"
Seemingly stirred by Yun Tianming's decisive words, Nalan Yanran's heart raced suddenly. Clasping her hands tightly, nervously twirling her little fingers, she hesitated for a moment, but ultimately made up her mind.
"In three days, Yanran plans to go to Wu Tan City's Xiao Family to break off the engagement."
"Senior Brother Tianming, would you... accompany Yanran?"
Regarding the matter of breaking off the engagement, Nalan Yanran had unilaterally violated the agreement of the elders, inevitably bringing upon herself the stigma of being "undutiful". Normally, outsiders would avoid such tarnished reputations.
Nalan Yanran's proactive invitation to Yun Tianming was clearly a test of his intentions. In her view, if Yun Tianming had feelings for her, he would agree to accompany her. Otherwise, he had no reason to join her on this troublesome journey.
"okay."
Yun Tianming nodded without hesitation. He was thinking of a reason to accompany Nalan Yanran on her journey to break off the engagement. For no other reason than he wanted to see the protagonist of the original novel and that classic saying "Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank, never mock a young person just because he's poor" with his own eyes! Since Nalan Yanran had extended the invitation, he naturally accepted it.
However, from Nalan Yanran's perspective, this had a different meaning altogether.
Without any hesitation, Senior Brother Tianming, how much do you like me!
Nalan Yanran's spirits soared instantly. The boy she admired happened to like her back, and they were both mutually attracted. Her first romance was going smoothly!
----
"Teacher! Please help Yanran this time!"
Nalan Yanran informed Yun Yun about the matter of breaking off the engagement, kneeling and kowtowing, earnestly pleading for the latter's support.
"Ah, it's not that I don't want to help you, but this engagement was arranged by the elders of the Nalan Family and the Xiao Family. How can I, an outsider, intervene at will?"
Yun Yun furrowed her eyebrows lightly, looking somewhat troubled. Being fair and just in her dealings, she never engaged in bullying others. Everything she did was based on principles. Interfering in other people's family matters without reason indeed contradicted Yun Yun's personal principles.
"Sect Master, you're mistaken. Yanran is your direct disciple, as the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime. As Yanran's elder, you are fully qualified to oversee her lifelong affairs."
Yun Tianming expressed his opinion. In fact, whether he voiced his support or not, considering Yun Yun's protective nature and her usual indulgence towards disciples, she would probably yield to Nalan Yanran's persuasion and ultimately agree to her request. Therefore, Yun Tianming's input at this moment was merely adding to the situation.
However, Nalan Yanran didn't see it this way. She looked at Yun Tianming with affection, feeling sweet inside: Senior Brother Tianming really speaks and acts in accordance with his words, firmly standing by my side no matter what!
"Tianming, it seems you're quite concerned about Yanran's marriage?" Yun Yun squinted slightly, giving Yun Tianming a meaningful look.
"Of course," Yun Tianming said confidently, his gaze intensely focused on Yun Yun.
It was as if he was conveying a message to her: Loving everything about someone means loving even their troubles!
Yun Yun's expression froze for a moment. In that instant, she unexpectedly understood the meaning behind his gaze!
Something's not right!
Although before this, Yun Yun had vaguely sensed Yun Tianming's improper intentions towards her, it was merely subtle hints, never fully disclosed. But now, his increasingly bold behavior left Yun Yun at a loss.
If it were someone else, Yun Yun might scold them sternly or even draw her sword directly, intending to teach this audacious disciple who dared to covet her a lesson!
However, for some reason, when facing Yun Tianming, Yun Yun couldn't summon any disgust. Deep down, she even felt a inexplicable sense of joy. Despite her mature and dignified appearance, emotionally, she was as simple as a blank sheet of paper, not much better than an ignorant young girl.
Yun Tianming was one of the very few men whom Yun Yun regarded with appreciation. Moreover, after years of living together in the Sect Master's Residence, Yun Tianming had become the male she interacted with the most on a daily basis, gradually leaving a profound impression in her heart.
"Senior Brother Tianming, you're so good to Yanran~~"
Nalan Yanran was overjoyed, her delicate eyebrows forming adorable crescents, unaware of what she was imagining again.
"Yanran, with our relationship, why be so polite to me?"
Yun Tianming's face lit up with an affectionate smile. He gently ruffled her head, his gaze involuntarily flickering towards Yun Yun beside him, his raised eyebrows and playful eyes carrying a hint of teasing. It was as if he was saying: Look, see how well I treat your disciple! From now on, your disciple is mine!
"Mmm~"
As it turned out, patting the head had a great impact on naive girls. At this moment, Nalan Yanran lowered her head, blushing all over, her rosy lips moving slightly, but her voice was as soft as a whisper, making it impossible to hear what she was murmuring.
"Ah."
Yun Yun's expression was strange, her bright red lips slightly parted as she let out a long sigh. There were too many absurdities before her, leaving her speechless!
"Teacher, please help Yanran! Please~~"
Nalan Yanran approached, affectionately holding onto her arm and shaking it, deploying her ultimate move: the art of being cute.
"Yanran, you're such a handful, I really can't do anything with you."
Yun Yun, with her gentle temperament, looked at the girl rubbing against her with a helpless expression, her eyes filled with indulgence.
As Yun Tianming had expected, Yun Yun couldn't resist Nalan Yanran's repeated pleas and eventually agreed to help her break off the engagement.
"I will send one of the stewards from the sect with a generous gift to accompany you to the Xiao Family to dissolve the engagement."
"Yanran, remember to be cautious on this journey!"
Yun Yun pondered for a moment, offering a serious admonition.
Although she usually preferred seclusion and refrained from meddling in worldly affairs of the sect, it didn't mean she was oblivious to human relationships.
According to the traditions of the Dou Qi Continent, if the woman initiates breaking off the engagement, it would inevitably embarrass the man's family. Considering her side was at fault, Yun Yun tried to minimize the impact as much as possible.
"Yes, yes~ Thank you, Teacher!"
Nalan Yanran was instantly overjoyed, only hearing Yun Yun agree to help her dissolve the engagement but ignoring the latter half of her advice.
"Yanran, you..."
A hint of worry flickered in Yun Yun's eyes. She knew her disciple's personality well—proud, willful, and prone to impulsive actions. She had no idea what kind of trouble Yanran might stir up on this journey to break off the engagement.
The original plot proved Yun Yun's worries to be entirely justified. Nalan Yanran's decision to break off the engagement had a tremendous impact, indirectly leading to the downfall of the Misty Cloud Sect.
However, now as a member of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Tianming certainly wouldn't let history repeat itself.
"Don't worry, Sect Master."
"I'll accompany her all the way and keep an eye on Yanran for you."
Yun Tianming's calm and steady voice was reassuring.
In essence, Nalan Yanran's visit to dissolve the engagement wasn't such a big deal in the original novel. Xiao Yan, as a transmigrator, probably wouldn't approve of arranged marriages. However, her only mistake was the overly aggressive method and the completely disregarding attitude towards others' dignity. If everyone had sat down to talk things through from the beginning, the outcome might have been completely different.
Of course, this is only Yun Tianming's personal understanding. At least the Xiao Yan in the book is not the type to persistently pursue someone. However, what kind of person he actually is can only be known after seeing him in person.
Regarding Xiao Yan, given the protagonist's stance, they are not allies, but this book will not deliberately vilify Xiao Yan. Of course, due to the author's limited ability, it's also not possible to completely portray the real Xiao Yan.
****
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