Indeed, when Xiao Mei first heard that Nalan Yanran was Xiao Yan's fiancée, her initial reaction was to storm in, make a scene, and drive Nalan Yanran away, ensuring she never wanted to step foot in the Xiao Clan's home again!
However, when Xiao Ning speculated that Nalan Yanran was here to break off the engagement, Xiao Mei glanced at the grand display outside the Xiao Clan's gate and felt even more displeased.
If Nalan Yanran wanted to break off the engagement with her cousin Xiao Yan, Xiao Mei would wholeheartedly support it!
But!
Nalan Yanran should never have come to break the engagement with such arrogance, almost as if she was forcing it to happen!
Everyone in Wutan City had witnessed the grand display Nalan Yanran brought with her today.
If the engagement were successfully broken off, how would her cousin Xiao Yan save face?
How would Uncle Xiao Zhan save face?
How would the entire Xiao Clan save face?
Although Xiao Mei was extremely angry, she knew there was nothing they, as juniors, could do about it.
No matter how furious they were, it wasn't their place to interfere.
"Xiao Mei, go to the training ground and bring Xiao Yan over. He has the right to know about this," Xiao Ning instructed.
It would be bad enough for Xiao Yan to be dumped, but if he only found out after it was all over, that would be truly pathetic.
"Got it!" Xiao Mei nodded firmly and hurried off to find Xiao Yan at the training ground.
After Xiao Mei left, Xiao Ning turned slightly to look at Xiao Xun'er and asked in a low voice, "Xun'er, you should have a way to handle this, right?"
Xiao Ning had long suspected that Xiao Yan's sister, Xiao Xun'er, was no ordinary person.
Often, even his grandfather, the Xiao Clan's First Elder, had to consider Xiao Xun'er's feelings before acting, which indicated the immense power backing her.
"This is Xiao Yan's own matter. I won't interfere," Xiao Xun'er replied, though a hint of killing intent flashed in her eyes. "That is, as long as Nalan Yanran doesn't go too far."
After all, this was an engagement that the elders on both sides had arranged without their consent, and Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan had never even met.
Nalan Yanran coming to break off the engagement wasn't entirely unreasonable.
However, the timing was too perfect—right after Xiao Yan lost his talents, and she herself had become the personal disciple of Yun Lan Sect's master.
That could be overlooked.
It was just an engagement arranged by the old men, and if it were handled diplomatically, Xiao Zhan wouldn't be unreasonable.
Given the current disparity between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan family, the marriage wasn't really a good match, so breaking off the engagement made sense.
The real issue was that Nalan Yanran had created such a grand display for the breakup, making sure everyone in Wutan City knew about it.
Nalan Yanran clearly intended to humiliate Xiao Yan, making it impossible for him to hold his head high in Wutan City ever again!
And if even Xiao Ning and Xiao Xun'er, as juniors, could see this clearly, how could Xiao Zhan and the three elders not?
But even if they understood, what could they do?
The Xiao Clan's current power was nowhere near that of Yun Lan Sect—barely even comparable to the Nalan family!
If Nalan Yanran was determined to break off the engagement today, the Xiao Clan could only swallow their pride and accept it!
They would be forced to smile and offer their other cheek even after being slapped!
Elder Ge Ye of Yun Lan Sect, who had accompanied Nalan Yanran, conversed with Xiao Zhan for a long time without getting to the point.
Nalan Yanran, growing impatient, glared at Ge Ye.
Noticing her impatience, Ge Ye sighed deeply.
This was a difficult task, no matter who it involved.
But he had no choice—Nalan Yanran was the personal disciple of the sect master and the future leader of Yun Lan Sect.
No matter how difficult, the matter had to be addressed.
"Patriarch Xiao," Ge Ye said, cupping his hands to Xiao Zhan, "we came here today to discuss an important matter with you."
Here it comes!
Xiao Zhan and the three elders tensed up, their eyes betraying a hint of anger mixed with deep helplessness.
This is the state of the Xiao Clan now... In the face of a giant like the Yun Lan Sect, they could only endure being humiliated, even if they were being crushed into the ground.
No matter how furious they were, they still had to maintain appearances.
"Heh... Our Xiao Clan is weak, but if there's anything we can help with, Elder Ge Ye, please feel free to ask."
Xiao Zhan returned the salute, and Ge Ye continued, "As you may have heard, Yanran has been accepted as the personal disciple of our sect master at Yun Lan Sect, and she will eventually succeed the sect master and lead the entire Yun Lan Sect. Recently, however, we noticed that Yanran has been distracted from her cultivation. When we inquired, we found that she was troubled by the marriage contract her grandfather had arranged for her."
"...So what do you propose?" Xiao Zhan asked, suppressing his anger while pretending not to understand, his fist clenching unconsciously on the armrest.
Ge Ye, sensing Xiao Zhan's thoughts, felt a headache coming on.
Under Nalan Yanran's pressing gaze, he finally spoke.
"So regarding Yanran and your son's engagement, we hope that—"
Before Ge Ye could finish, a young voice suddenly came from outside.
"Father, did you call for me?"
Xiao Yan stood at the entrance of the reception hall, looking at his father.
Xiao Zhan was about to speak when Nalan Yanran suddenly stood up, staring at Xiao Yan in shock.
"You—you're Xiao Yan?!"
"Who are you?" Xiao Yan asked, looking at the somewhat familiar girl.
He rubbed his chin in thought for a moment before suddenly pointing at her in realization.
"Foodie!!!"
"Who are you calling Foodie?!" Nalan Yanran's face flushed red with a mix of embarrassment and anger at Xiao Yan's nickname for her.
Everyone inside and outside the reception hall was stunned by this scene.
Could it be... these two youngsters know each other?
As everyone was lost in confusion, the flush on Nalan Yanran's face faded, and her expression became extremely serious.
She turned to Xiao Zhan, cupping her hands firmly.
"Uncle! Yanran has come here today for only one purpose!"
Hearing Nalan Yanran speak, Ge Ye immediately gestured to the servants to present the pre-prepared apology pills, ready to step in if needed.
But Nalan Yanran's next words left him completely stunned.
"I wish to immediately! Marry into the Xiao Clan!"
???
In that instant, the entire reception hall fell silent, and Ge Ye was left with nothing but confusion, staring at Nalan Yanran in disbelief.
Young Mistress?
Weren't we here to break off the engagement?
How did it turn into a wedding???