"Divorce her now, or prepare to lose everything you hold dear!" Zhao Ren's voice boomed across the hall as he raised a finger, as though casting judgment upon each suitor.
Li Xian'er's heart sank. (Are they truly so shallow? Three minutes into the marriage and they're already eager to abandon me?) She stood still, her face calm, yet inside, a storm of emotions churned.
Wei Jun shifted uneasily, glancing at the others. "What… what does he mean by losing everything?" he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
"Does he mean… our titles?" Liang Chen muttered, swallowing hard. "Our wealth? Our family honors?"
Zhao Ren smiled smugly, watching their faces shift from annoyance to fear. "Yes, everything. I have the power to ruin you. Your businesses, your names, your very place in society—I can wipe it all out with a single command."
Tian Ming's face paled, and he stepped forward, clenching his fists. "Who do you think you are, threatening us like this?"
Zhao Ren merely laughed, his eyes glinting with a dangerous gleam. "I am someone you do not want to anger. Now, do you want to spend your lives bound to her"—he jerked his thumb at Li Xian'er—"or choose a brighter, better path?"
The suitors exchanged nervous glances. Each one looked torn, as if weighing their loyalty to their families and fortunes against the promises they'd just made. (They're so quick to abandon me… as if I mean nothing to them at all.)
Li Xian'er forced herself to keep breathing steadily, watching each of her so-called husbands consider Zhao Ren's threat. She could feel her cheeks flushing with anger, but she kept her expression calm. (If this is how weak their loyalty is… maybe I'm better off without them.)
One of the ancestors stepped forward, voice trembling with urgency. "You must listen, young men! This union was not made lightly—breaking it could bring you misfortune beyond anything Zhao Ren could threaten."
Liang Chen shot back, "And why should we listen to the ramblings of an elder? We have lives to live, and we don't need to be bound to… this." He gestured toward Li Xian'er dismissively.
Zhao Ren seized the moment, stepping even closer to the suitors. "I have a much better choice for you all. My daughter—graceful, beautiful, and blessed with countless talents. Marry her, and I guarantee you the highest honor. A marriage into my family will bring you power and fortune like nothing else."
A ripple of interest crossed the suitors' faces, but a trace of uncertainty lingered. They knew they were bound by the sacred vows they'd just taken. However, Zhao Ren's offer was a tempting one—one that promised them a life of luxury and influence.
Li Xian'er caught a murmur among them, faint but clear enough for her to understand their thoughts. "Maybe Zhao Ren's right…" Zhi Rui whispered to Wei Jun, "If we marry his daughter, we could avoid all this."
Tian Ming huffed, half-joking, "It would be nice to have a wife who doesn't look so… plain."
Li Xian'er's heart squeezed painfully, but she held her head high. (They're willing to betray their vows so easily? How naïve they are, unaware of the truth behind my power. If only they knew the depths of their foolishness.)
Just then, Zhao Ren's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "So, gentlemen, shall I arrange for you to meet my daughter?"
He raised his hand, as if signaling someone from behind the massive hall doors. The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and a hush fell over the room. The suitors, ancestors, and even Li Xian'er found themselves looking toward the entrance with bated breath.
And then she appeared behind the curtains.
A young woman swept into the hall, her gown shimmering under the golden light. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in thick waves visible from the curtain shadows, and she held herself with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. Every step she took was poised and calculated, her gaze sharp and assessing as she looked each suitor up and down.
Li Xian'er's eyes narrowed slightly. (So this is his precious daughter… the one he's willing to ruin me for.)
The suitors visibly perked up at the sight of her. Zhi Rui leaned over to Liang Chen, murmuring with a smirk, "Now, this… this is more like it."
Liang Chen chuckled, glancing between Zhao Ren's daughter and Li Xian'er, who still stood by herself, silent and observant. "Quite the upgrade," he muttered under his breath.
Zhao Ren's daughter stopped in the center of the hall, looking over the suitors with an approving smile which was visible through the curtains that was placed on her, as though she were selecting precious items from a shop window. She gave her father a brief nod, then turned to address the group of men before her.
"Greetings," she said, her voice smooth and practiced, like honey dripping from a spoon. "I understand that you gentlemen are in a… predicament. Well, let me make things easy for you. I am ready to bring you all the joy and power you deserve, if only you have the courage to take my hand."
A murmur of approval ran through the suitors, each one straightening, suddenly feeling honored in her presence. Wei Jun's eyes sparkled as he leaned over to Tian Ming, whispering excitedly, "She's… incredible. This is the kind of woman we deserve!"
Tian Ming nodded, glancing back at Li Xian'er dismissively. "It's no contest. She has everything. How could we stay tied to… that?"
Li Xian'er clenched her fists, a faint tremor running through her as she heard them. (They have no idea. They're blinded by the surface, unwilling to look any deeper. But perhaps… that's their weakness, and my strength.)
One of the ancestors stepped forward, bowing his head in a respectful gesture toward Zhao Ren's daughter. "Miss Zhao, it is a pleasure to meet you. But please understand, there is a sacred bond at stake here. Breaking it will have consequences beyond what any of us can foresee."
Zhao Ren's daughter laughed, a lilting sound that seemed to charm the suitors even more. "Oh, elder, please. I don't believe in superstitions and ancient warnings. These gentlemen deserve a true partner. One who can bring them prestige, power, and happiness. And who better to provide that than myself?"
The suitors cheered, some of them nodding eagerly. "Yes!" Wei Jun declared, casting a scornful look at Li Xian'er. "This is the kind of woman who matches our status!"
But the ancestors refused to back down, their expressions turning grave. "Young men, you are meddling with forces you do not understand. The woman you dismiss so easily holds power beyond your imagination. She has the ability to alter your fate itself."
The suitors fell silent, their laughter fading as they considered the words. Zhao Ren's daughter's confident smile wavered just slightly, her gaze flickering to her father as if seeking reassurance.
Zhao Ren waved his hand dismissively, his tone condescending. "Ignore them. They're clinging to outdated traditions. My daughter's power is all you need to concern yourselves with. She will bring you greatness, not some nonsense about fate."
Li Xian'er took a deep breath, her eyes piercing as she looked upon each of the suitors. She could feel her inner strength simmering beneath the surface, a well of power far beyond what any of them could comprehend. (If only they knew… I could bring them more than they could ever imagine. But they're too blinded by vanity and greed to see it.)
The ancestors stepped back, their expressions pained but resolute. One of them spoke, his voice carrying a finality that left the hall silent.
"Reject her if you must, but be warned—you do not know what lies ahead. The path you choose today will haunt you for the rest of your lives."
Zhao Ren scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Enough with the dramatics! My daughter is the perfect choice."
Li Xian'er finally spoke, her voice calm but unwavering. "If you wish to leave, I won't stop you."
The suitors turned to her, some of them surprised by her sudden calm. Zhi Rui scoffed, crossing his arms. "You're actually letting us go?"
Li Xian'er nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I won't force anyone to stay. If you wish to pursue what seems shinier… be my guest."
The suitors exchanged glances, uncertain. Zhao Ren's daughter stepped forward, her voice smooth and persuasive. "There you have it, gentlemen. She's practically giving you permission to move on. A true partnership awaits—one with real power and real influence."
With that, she extended her hand, her eyes sparkling with a challenge, daring any of them to take it.
The suitors looked from her to Li Xian'er, their choices weighing heavily in the air. The ancestors, solemn and silent, watched as the young men teetered on the brink of a decision that would change everything.
Li Xian'er stood tall, her heart steady, her eyes fierce. (Let them decide. But whatever they choose, I will rise, with or without them.)
Just as Wei Jun reached out to clasp Zhao Ren's daughter's hand, a low, powerful voice echoed through the hall:
"Are you so certain of your choice… gentlemen?"