Chapter 198: The Xu Family Also Wants to Annul the Engagement
All eyes were on Zhu Zhuqing, filled with admiration.
Zhu Zhuqing, at the age of twelve, had already reached the rank of a level thirty-three Soul Elder.
A young woman with such talent had limitless potential.
With her beauty and grace, anyone who could win her favor would be truly fortunate.
Many of the attendees looked at Dai Long and the now battered Dai Mubai with a mix of amusement and pity. How could anyone treat such a talented fiancée so carelessly? A woman like Zhu Zhuqing, with her beauty and talent, deserved to be cherished.
The disdain for Dai Mubai was evident in their eyes.
To harm such a remarkable fiancée for a moment of lust—this Third Prince, Dai Mubai, had truly demonstrated his folly.
Dai Long stood in shock, realizing for the first time Zhu Zhuqing's strength. The revelation that she was a twelve-year-old at level thirty-three left him horrified. Such talent was almost terrifying. To have someone like her as their daughter-in-law would have been a blessing beyond measure.
And yet, his beastly son had single-handedly ruined it.
Dai Long's eyes turned cold as he looked at Dai Mubai, disappointment etched across his face.
With Zhu Zhuqing's potential, she could have become the daughter-in-law of the Dai family, but Dai Mubai had destroyed that chance.
With her talents, she was likely to reach the Titled Douluo level in the future. With Dai Mubai's talent, that was also a possibility.
If they had combined their strength, how powerful would the Star Luo Empire have become?
Two Titled Douluos using martial soul fusion—who could stand against them?
But now, all those dreams were shattered.
"Father, please listen to my explanation," Dai Mubai pleaded as he slowly got up, clutching his injured body as he approached Dai Long. He wanted to explain that his actions toward Zhu Zhuqing were not out of lust but because of Zhao Ming.
Yes, Zhao Ming—Dai Mubai suddenly remembered him.
If he could shift the blame onto Zhao Ming and accuse him of stealing his fiancée, then perhaps he could salvage the situation.
Slap.
Dai Long, uninterested in Dai Mubai's excuses, slapped him again, sending him flying. Too many scandals had already come to light. If anything more were revealed, how could he save face? As for Zhu Zizhao's accusations, he believed them without a doubt. Zhu Zizhao was not one to lie about such things.
Besides, he would investigate the matter thoroughly later.
"Father, I had my reasons—I…" Dai Mubai continued to protest, but Zhu Zizhao slapped him again, unwilling to let him tarnish his daughter's honor any further.
"Your Majesty, you've seen it yourself. Dai Mubai has committed such acts, and yet he shows no remorse. How can I entrust my daughter's future to him?" Zhu Zizhao said angrily, looking at Dai Long.
Dai Long's anger was evident as he glanced at Dai Mubai. From his son's eyes, he saw only anger, resentment, and hatred.
This was not the expression of someone who felt regret or shame.
The other attendees also noticed but remained silent, not daring to provoke Dai Long. Given the disgrace his son had brought upon him, Dai Long's mood was clearly foul. Angering him now would be a death wish.
"How did I end up with such an unworthy son?" Dai Long muttered, his fury growing. This beastly son of his refused to repent and instead harbored hatred. How could he blame others for his own actions?
"Guards, take him away and give him a hundred lashes," Dai Long commanded, his voice filled with rage.
"Father, no! I have a reason for this!" Dai Mubai cried out in fear, trying to plead his case.
"Father, listen to me!" he shouted, but the guards quickly dragged him away. These guards were the emperor's personal elite, all of them Soul Kings.
Two of them held Dai Mubai down, rendering him immobile.
"Ahhh!"
Soon, screams echoed from outside. The pain in his lower back was intense, and Dai Mubai was in utter agony.
"Alas, the engagement between Mubai and Zhuqing is canceled. Dai Mubai is truly unworthy of Zhuqing," Dai Long sighed, suddenly looking as though he had aged ten years. The events of the day were difficult for him to accept. As the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, he had never suffered such humiliation, and all of it was caused by his own son's incompetence.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding." Zhu Zizhao smiled, relieved. With Zhuqing's engagement to Dai Mubai annulled, she was now free from any constraints and could pursue her own happiness.
Now, he could begin the process of arranging an engagement between Zhuqing and Zhao Ming, ensuring she became Zhao Ming's fiancée. Only with a formal engagement could he feel at ease. Despite Zhao Ming's excellence, there was always the concern that such an exceptional man might one day lose interest in his daughter. An official engagement would secure their future.
Zhu Zhuqing also showed a relieved smile. From today onward, she no longer carried the burden of this engagement and could be with Zhao Ming freely. She would be completely his, in every sense, with no lingering ties.
"Your Majesty, I…" Xu Ao hesitated, his expression conflicted.
He had initially planned to marry his beloved daughter to Dai Mubai. Given Dai Mubai's rare talent, with his support, he would have a great chance of securing the throne, elevating the Xu family's status to rival the Zhu family's.
But now, seeing Dai Mubai's disgrace, Xu Ao was hesitant.
From today onward, Dai Mubai's reputation was ruined, and he would no longer have any chance of competing for the position of Crown Prince.
Furthermore, with Dai Mubai's incompetence and poor character, marrying his daughter to him would be a foolish move. He would become the laughingstock of the empire.
After all, the Zhu family had already refused him, and if the Xu family took over, it would seem like they were accepting what others had discarded. This alone would make it impossible for the Xu family to hold their heads high.
Moreover, Jiajia was his treasured daughter and one of the strongest in the Xu family. She was bound to find a suitable husband in the future and could not be tied to Dai Mubai's downfall.
"If you have something to say, say it," Dai Long said, frowning at Xu Ao's hesitance. He already knew what Xu Ao was about to say, and his irritation grew.
"I wish to annul Jiajia's engagement to Dai Mubai," Xu Ao finally declared, taking a deep breath.
"I approve," Dai Long replied, feeling a wave of frustration. Everyone in the court knew Dai Mubai's character by now. If he refused, rumors would undoubtedly spread, damaging his reputation further.
In one day, the Dai family had suffered two annulments. Dai Long, unable to bear it any longer, let out a heavy sigh before swiftly leaving the hall, desperate to escape the humiliation.
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.