Chapter 91: Breaking the Engagement
Unlike the business driven Mittel family, the Nalan family, much like the Mu clan, had risen to prominence through its ties to the military. In addition to their military prowess, the Nalans controlled several mercenary groups specializing in hunting magical beasts.
The family upheld strict rules, akin to military discipline, and had further strengthened its standing in recent years through close ties with the Yunlan Sect. Much of this progress was attributed to the emergence of a prodigious young woman within the family.
However, today, the Nalan estate was filled with a peculiar tension.
Through Yafei's connections, Xiao Yan easily secured a meeting with the Nalan family patriarch, Nalan Jie. This alone was a testament to Yafei's far reaching influence within the empire's capital.
Nalan Jie was a sharp and shrewd old man, a fact apparent even through his weary appearance. His gray face betrayed his age, but his piercing eyes still glimmered with vitality.
"So, you're Xiao Yan, the grandson of my old friend, Xiao Lin?" Nalan Jie asked, holding a teacup as he sized up the boy seated to his right.
The young man before him had sharp features, a composed demeanor, and an extraordinary aura that made Nalan Jie feel a faint sense of danger. It was a sign that Xiao Yan was at least a Dou Wang.
A 15 or 16 year old Dou Wang? Such a thing was unheard of in the Jia Ma Empire. But remembering Xiao Lin's unmatched talent in his prime, Nalan Jie felt a pang of understanding.
Back then, Nalan Jie had saved a severely injured Xiao Lin without knowing his true strength. Only later, when Xiao Lin casually killed a Dou Huang in front of him, did he realize the terrifying power his old friend possessed. At the time, Nalan Jie had been a mere Dou Da Shi.
"How has Brother Xiao Lin been all these years?" Nalan Jie asked with a smile.
"Grandfather is well and often speaks of the kindness you showed him," Xiao Yan replied, his tone polite.
"I simply did what anyone would have done," Nalan Jie chuckled. Deep down, he was delighted. If Xiao Yan could become his family's son in law, he would have no regrets in life.
With Xiao Yan's talent and his mysterious family backing, the Nalan clan could rise to heights far beyond the Yunlan Sect's reach. However, seeing Yafei beside Xiao Yan, their interactions tinged with subtle intimacy, gave Nalan Jie a faint sense of unease.
"Young man, I'm sure you didn't come all this way just to see this old sack of bones," Nalan Jie said after a moment of silence, his tone probing.
"Indeed, I also wish to meet my fiancée, Nalan Yanran," Xiao Yan replied with a slight nod.
Yafei, sitting nearby, glanced at Nalan Jie and then at Xiao Yan, her emotions complicated. This was the first time she had seen Xiao Yan show such respect to an elder. Even being addressed as "grandson in law" didn't seem to bother him.
But what truly unsettled her was the revelation that Nalan Yanran was Xiao Yan's fiancée and the purpose of his visit was to break off the engagement.
Although Xiao Yan had explained the situation to her earlier, Yafei couldn't help but feel conflicted. With Xiao Yan's immense strength and influence, it was natural that neither she nor Nalan Yanran could claim the title of his primary wife. A secondary role was something she could accept.
Still, she was curious: what kind of woman would be worthy of being Xiao Yan's primary consort? Surely, such a person must be peerless in both talent and power, standing atop the continent.
"Grandfather, I'm back."
A clear and cool voice interrupted her thoughts.
Nalan Jie's gaze shifted to the doorway, his eyes lighting up, while Xiao Yan and Yafei also turned toward the source of the voice.
A young woman in a pale blue robe walked gracefully into the hall.
Seeing her, Xiao Yan couldn't help but silently praise her beauty. Among the girls he had encountered, only Gu Xun'er surpassed her by a narrow margin. Even Cao Ying and Dan Chen could at best rival her.
After entering, Nalan Yanran glanced around the room, offering a polite nod to Yafei.
"Sister Yafei," she greeted softly.
Though the two weren't particularly close, they were both prominent figures among the younger generation of the empire's elite and had crossed paths several times.
"Yanran, it's been a while. You've grown even more beautiful," Yafei responded with a smile, though her gaze held an unexplainable hint of pity.
When Nalan Yanran's eyes fell on the black clad young man beside Yafei, her pupils contracted slightly.
Despite her status as a Dou Zhe, she couldn't sense the slightest bit of aura from him. That could mean only two things: either the boy was an ordinary person or his strength far surpassed her own.
The second possibility seemed impossible yet strangely, it felt more likely.
"Grandfather, who is this?" Nalan Yanran asked, turning to Nalan Jie.
"Yanran, this is Xiao Yan, the fiancé I arranged for you all those years ago," Nalan Jie explained with a smile.
"Fiancé?" Nalan Yanran's expression froze, her eyes flitting back to the boy.
Xiao Yan rose from his seat, nodding politely. "You must be Yanran. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Xiao Yan."
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Such a stunning girl, yet he was here to break off their engagement. It would be a shame to let her slip away. However, given the circumstances, he couldn't propose something as inappropriate as making her his concubine, especially since Nalan Jie had saved his grandfather's life.
"Hello," Nalan Yanran replied stiffly. The sudden revelation of an engagement with a stranger left her feeling uneasy.
As a proud and accomplished young woman, she disliked the idea of her life being dictated by others, especially in matters as personal as marriage.
"Xiao Yan, since Yanran is here, why not speak your mind?" Nalan Jie said, his tone kind but expectant.
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, then glanced around the room. Ensuring they were alone, he waved his hand, releasing a powerful wave of Dou Qi to seal the space.
Both Nalan Jie and Nalan Yanran were shocked.
For Nalan Jie, the display confirmed Xiao Yan's strength far exceeded his earlier assumptions. This was not the work of a Dou Wang it was the handiwork of a Dou Huang.
As for Nalan Yanran, the oppressive aura Xiao Yan briefly released made her feel faint. This boy, who appeared to be her peer, possessed power that seemed to rival even her teacher's.
Once the room was secure, Xiao Yan turned to Nalan Jie with an apologetic expression.
"Nalan Jie, I'm sorry. My purpose here, aside from visiting you on behalf of my grandfather, is to dissolve the engagement."
(Chapter End)
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