Just like Qin Qing, the moment Shangguan Xuan's gaze fell on Qin Qing, a chilling intent to kill burst forth from the depths of his eyes.
He, just like Mu Yunlan, had originally believed that Qin Qing had perished that night on the outskirts of Tianjue City.
Qin Qing's survival was like a thorn in Shangguan Xuan's side, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Of course, aside from the chilling intent to kill in Shangguan Xuan's eyes, Qin Qing also saw the same disdainful and aloof attitude as before.
This sort of look made Qin Qing very uncomfortable.
Perhaps in Shangguan Xuan's eyes, Qin Qing was always an insignificant ant, easily crushed underfoot.
Last time, Qin Qing had luckily escaped with his life, but the next time, Shangguan Xuan would exert more effort, determined to leave Qin Qing with no chance to live!
The others around them were unaware of the grudge between Qin Qing and Shangguan Xuan.
To them, Shangguan Xuan might hold a grudge because Qin Qing had once been engaged to Mu Yunlan.
But could Qin Qing even compare to Shangguan Xuan?
Even a fool would know who to choose between the two!
"Qin Qing, let me speak frankly to you!" Pei Yuye's face bore an increasingly undeniable look of triumph as she said, "This is Young Master Shangguan from Luochuan Imperial City, indeed, from the same Shangguan Clan where the current Prime Minister, Shangguan Guyu, resides.
Moreover, Young Master Shangguan is none other than the current Young Master of the Shangguan Clan, Shangguan Xuan..."
As soon as Pei Yuye's words came out, many people around them immediately burst into exclamations of surprise.
"It's actually the Young Master of the Shangguan Clan from Luochuan Imperial City!"
"The Mu Family has really done something incredible this time. They've connected with the Shangguan Clan..."
Immediately, many people hurried over to offer their congratulations to Pei Yuye and Shangguan Xuan.
"Madam Mu, congratulations! It is truly wonderful that your daughter has found a partner like Young Master Shangguan!"
"I think that Young Master Shangguan and the Mu Family's daughter are a match made in heaven, a pair designed by earth!"
"Young Master Shangguan, it is an honor for you to deign to visit Tianjue City, our Tianjue City's fortune indeed..."
"Young Master Shangguan, I once had the honor of visiting your father. I hope all is well with him?"
The guests of the Mu Residence each offered obsequious words of congratulations, doing their utmost to please Shangguan Xuan, while Qin Qing was completely ignored on the side.
"Do you see that, Qin Qing?" At that moment, Qin Lie spoke up, "Miss Mu is now a personaik who can be mentioned in the same breath as Young Master Shangguan. Only someone like Young Master Shangguan is a suitable match for her, as for you... heh, have you gained a bit of self-awareness now?"
Upon hearing Qin Lie's words, everyone around them quickly echoed his sentiments.
"Young Master Qin Lie is right, Qin Qing, even though you bear the title of Young Master of the Qin Residence. But that's because of your father, it has nothing to do with you. You were never worthy of Miss Mu, better be gracious and bless them!"
"Indeed. Even if you are the Young Master of the Qin Residence, so what? Can your Qin Residence compare with the Shangguan Clan of Luochuan Imperial City? Miss Mu has awakened a High Rank Martial Soul and is simply the perfect match with Young Master Shangguan. If I were you, I'd proactively propose to dissolve the engagement and apologize to Young Master Shangguan!"
Many of the Qin Family's guests, especially the younger guests, were pointing fingers at Qin Qing at this moment.
Qin Qing, who had done nothing wrong, seemed to have become the eternal sinner.
"Did you hear that, Qin Qing!" Qin Wujian also shouted at this time, "Right now, apologize to Young Master Shangguan, Miss Mu, and Elder Mu!"
Upon hearing these words, Qin Qing couldn't help but sneer.
"Apologize?" Qin Qing's gaze swept over the crowd, "Why should I apologize? You all believe I'm unworthy of Mu Yunlan and should therefore dissolve this engagement? Besides, this engagement was not something I, Qin Qing, sought after; it was Mu Yunlan who proposed it. Even my father once refused it.
"Now, just because Mu Yunlan has awakened a Seventh Rank Martial Soul, this marriage arrangement is considered wrong on my part?"
"Qin Qing! Enough with the nonsense!" Qin Wujian angrily pointed at Qin Qing, "Either apologize now or leave the Qin Residence!"
"Elder!" Qin Qing's gaze turned sharp, "If you want to expel me from the Qin Residence, I'm afraid you'll need a legitimate reason!"
"You..." Qin Wujian, overwhelmed with anger and his Gang Qi surging, was about to lay a hand on Qin Qing.
"Elder of the Qin Family!" Mu Hongtu interjected, "As for the matters of your Qin Residence, it would be better to resolve them after you leave the Mu Residence!"
His tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
Mu Hongtu was dissatisfied both with Qin Qing's lack of an apology and with Qin Wujian's intention to initiate a fight at his birthday feast.
The current Mu Hongtu was someone with high aspirations.
Qin Wujian clearly understood what Mu Hongtu was implying, and so he quickly flashed an apologetic smile towards Mu Hongtu, then immediately turned to Qin Qing and coldly commanded, "Go stand aside, you disgrace!"
Qin Qing gave a cold smile, cast a glance at Qin Wujian, and then walked to a corner to stand alone. He didn't come to the Mu Residence for the feast; he was waiting for the assessments of the various Martial Institutes after the banquet.
By then, he would let everyone understand that it wasn't him, Qin Qing, who was unworthy of Mu Yunlan, but rather Mu Yunlan who was unworthy of him!
"This is infuriating!"
Sitting down in a nearby seat, Qin Tong was almost too angry to contain himself, but he had refrained from making a scene in front of the elder.
Qin Yue showed a look of indignation on behalf of Qin Qing as well.
"For what reason? What did you do wrong, Qin Qing? Why does the elder insist on your apology?" Qin Tong burst out in anger.
"It's not that I did anything wrong, but Qin Wujian wants to use me to express the Qin Residence's stance... and likewise to take the opportunity to ingratiate himself with Mu Hongtu. As for me, in his eyes, this is the last bit of value I have..." Qin Qing replied with a wry smile.
"Alas, when did our Qin Residence become like this?" Qin Tong didn't understand, he poured himself a bowl of wine, gulped it down, and then said, "Qing, don't worry. If the elder truly wants to expel you from the Qin Family, then we will leave the Qin Residence with you!
A Qin Residence like this—well, we wouldn't want to stay anyway!"
"Mm, Third Brother. We all support you!" Qin Yue also spoke up.
"Third Uncle, Yue'er, thank you!" A warm current surged in Qin Qing's heart. At his lowest point, seemingly scorned by everyone, he still had his closest relatives standing beside him, ready to face all difficulties together.
Of course, there was also Xiaoshuang.
"Xiaoshuang, come, take a seat..." Qin Qing lifted Xiaoshuang and seated her next to him.
Just then, a loud call rang out:
"Elders Jun, Bai, and Guan from the Great Qian Martial Institute have arrived!"
As the voice faded, a group from the Great Qian Martial Institute entered the Mu Residence courtyard.
Walking at the forefront was the dignified Jun Jiulin.
Jun Jiulin's eyes were narrow and sharp, resembling blades. As he entered the courtyard, Mu Yunlan and the others came forward to greet him.
Many people heard that Mu Yunlan had taken Jun Jiulin as her mentor, and now it seemed the rumors were true.
However, following behind Jun Jiulin was a middle-aged man, Elder Guan.
Also present was a middle-aged man with white hair, beside whom stood a young girl with white hair. The man was Elder Bai Qiuhe from the Great Qian Martial Institute, and the girl was the talented Jiang Ruorong, lauded as the top goddess of the Great Qian Martial Institute.
As Bai Qiuhe entered the Mu Residence, his gaze quickly swept around the place, and upon seeing Qin Qing, he revealed a trace of a smile and then started walking over to Qin Qing's corner...