Chapter 19

A commotion arose in the Liu family’s grand hall, with everyone whispering and glancing sideways, trying to see who had dared to cause trouble outside.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Several loud thuds echoed as one by one, the Liu family’s guards were thrown in like trash, landing on the ground and groaning in pain.

Seeing these guards, everyone in the grand hall gasped, and chaos ensued.

Each of these guards had been severely injured in a single move, though not mortally, most would likely be left with lifelong disabilities. This made everyone secretly sigh at the brutality of the person who had done this.

As the last guard was thrown in, a graceful woman stepped forward, appearing directly in the Liu family’s grand hall. Her skin was fair, and she was petite and adorable, especially her large eyes, which were like a clear pool of water.

Seeing the woman, Liu Tianfeng furrowed his brows, but when he saw the guard beside her, he immediately became serious. The guard exuded a strong sense of threat, and even Liu Tianfeng couldn’t be sure he could win against him. This made Liu Tianfeng realize that the woman had a noble background and was not to be underestimated.

*How strong!* Ye Tao thought to himself.

"Miss, I wonder where our Liu family has offended you? If so, I, an old man, will apologize on behalf of the Liu family. However, today is a joyous occasion for the Liu family. What do you think...?"

"Enough, Liu Tianfeng. I’m not here for you, and I have nothing to do with your Liu family. No need for idle talk."

Before Liu Tianfeng could finish, the woman suddenly smiled sweetly and looked at Chu Yan. "My target is him!"

Chu Yan was taken aback, but before he could think further, he felt a fiery gaze land on him, burning intensely. He quickly turned around and saw Liu Qingcheng’s beautiful eyes, filled with a hint of anger, as if she could kill him at any moment.

*...* Chu Yan felt a bitter taste in his heart. This has nothing to do with me.

Liu Tianfeng, embarrassed, said, "Miss, I wonder if you have any business with my son-in-law?"

"Son-in-law? Who allowed him to be the Liu family’s son-in-law?"

The woman spoke with a domineering tone and then glanced at Liu Qingcheng. "This woman wants to match my brother Chu Yan? I disagree with this marriage, Liu Tianfeng. Order the annulment now."

"Annulment?"

*Whoosh!* The Liu family estate suddenly became lively, with many distinguished guests discussing the matter. Some were surprised, some delighted, and many more were ready to take advantage of the situation.

If the Liu family’s wedding was disrupted today, without Chu Yan, the Liu family would become a piece of meat for anyone to take a bite of.

Many began to speculate about the woman’s identity. She was extremely domineering, and the guard beside her was likely even stronger than the Dust Movement Realm, dominating the scene. Who could this woman be, to have such a powerful guard?

However, regardless of who she was, many knew that things were about to get interesting. The Liu family’s wedding would have a hard time proceeding smoothly.

"Miss... This marriage was arranged by my ancestors eighteen years ago. It cannot be annulled."

"What, Liu Tianfeng, are you daring to defy me, a princess?"

The woman’s face suddenly changed, and her gaze turned cold as she looked at the guard beside her.

"A San, bring out the imperial edict given to me by Father."

"Father?"

Hearing this, everyone in the Liu family estate frowned, and Liu Tianfeng’s face turned grim. The woman’s identity was now clear.

In the current Changlong Kingdom, there was only one princess of Chu Yan and Liu Qingcheng’s age.

Su Muyan?

A San took out an imperial edict with dragon and phoenix seals. "Liu Tianfeng, receive the order."

This was an imperial edict from the Changlong Kingdom, and Liu Tianfeng immediately knelt down, raising his hands.

"Liu Tianfeng is here!"

"By the grace of heaven, the marriage between Chu Yan and Liu Qingcheng is hereby annulled. Chu Yan will be adopted as a son of the Liu family and will marry Princess Su Muyan on a chosen date. In recognition of the Liu family’s great contributions to the Changlong Kingdom, after the marriage, the Liu family will be granted the status of imperial kin, and the Liu family estate will be renamed the Southwest Prince’s Mansion!"

"What?"

Liu Tianfeng and everyone in the Liu family were shocked, especially those who had hoped to see Chu Yan and the Liu family humiliated. They couldn’t help but smirk. This wasn’t causing trouble; it was bringing good news to the Liu family.

Southwest Prince’s Mansion? That meant the Liu family would become part of the imperial family. Who would dare to touch the Liu family? And the young masters who had lusted after Liu Qingcheng were even more disappointed. They had thought someone would come to disrupt the wedding and snatch Liu Qingcheng, but the person who was being snatched was actually Chu Yan? And by none other than the most favored princess of the Changlong Kingdom, Su Muyan?

Liu Qingcheng looked at Chu Yan with a strange expression, feeling a mix of emotions.

Was this marriage over?

She didn’t have to marry him anymore? Logically, she should be happy. Wasn’t this what she had always wanted?

But... why did she feel a bit disappointed?

At this moment, some people in the Liu family estate wore mocking expressions. Although the Liu family was granted the title of Southwest Prince’s Mansion, everyone knew that the Liu family had been humiliated. A son-in-law who was about to enter the family was now being forcibly taken away by the Changlong Kingdom. More importantly, many knew Chu Yan’s true identity, a treasure far greater than the title of Southwest Prince’s Mansion, and it was now being taken by the imperial family.

"Liu Tianfeng, what are you waiting for? Why don’t you receive the imperial edict?" A San said coldly.

Liu Tianfeng suddenly looked much older, but he hesitated to raise his hands. This marriage could not be annulled.

Although the title of Southwest Prince’s Mansion was prestigious and came with imperial protection, Liu Tianfeng knew that the Changlong Kingdom could not protect the Liu family. If this marriage was annulled, the Liu family would surely perish.

"Cough, cough, that... No, I mean... Shouldn’t you consult the person involved in this matter? You want me to marry... No, to marry, whoever you want me to marry. Do you think I have good genes and you’re treating me like a stud?" Chu Yan said with a faint smile.

Only then did everyone look at Chu Yan, realizing that everything was because of him.

Liu Qingcheng looked at Chu Yan, her almond eyes filled with a hint of sadness. "You must be very pleased now. The princess is of noble status, beautiful, and she wants to marry you, unlike me..."

Before Liu Qingcheng could finish, Chu Yan suddenly smiled and took her hand.

"Wife, what are you talking about? Do you think I’ve been calling you my wife for so many days for nothing?"

Liu Qingcheng’s eyebrows furrowed, and a strange expression flashed in her eyes. She couldn’t describe her feelings for Chu Yan, but she felt a bit touched and happy.

"Be good, I’m still waiting to enter the bridal chamber with you. How can we annul the marriage? Leave it to me."

Chu Yan smiled and took a step forward, then looked at Su Muyan awkwardly... *Who the hell is this woman? Do I know you? You want to marry me?*

"Father, please stand up. You are now my father, Chu Yan. I, Chu Yan, will kneel to heaven, earth, and my parents, but my father, you do not need to kneel to anyone." Chu Yan helped Liu Tianfeng up.

"Yan’er..."

"Father, don’t worry. Leave it to me."

Chu Yan gave Liu Tianfeng a reassuring look, and Liu Tianfeng’s heart eased a bit, though he still had no confidence. He didn’t know if Chu Yan could really protect this marriage or if Chu Yan would even want to, given that the other party was Su Muyan, the most favored princess of the Changlong Kingdom, who was just as beautiful as Liu Qingcheng.

"Brother Chu Yan..."

Su Muyan, who had been domineering, suddenly became like a little girl and was about to hug Chu Yan.

"Stop!" Chu Yan quickly extended his hand to stop her. "Not... Miss, do we know each other?"

"You don’t recognize me, but I recognize you." Su Muyan said shyly. "Brother Chu Yan might not remember, but eighteen years ago, when Aunt Ruo Meng took you to the capital, we played together. At that time, I made a vow in my heart that I would marry you."

"..."

Chu Yan was taken aback, suddenly remembering a little girl with two pigtails who always followed him around to play. He never imagined that after eighteen years, she had grown into such a graceful young woman.

"It’s you."

"Yes, Brother Chu Yan. I’ve already told Father that I will marry no one but you, so you must marry me." Su Muyan said.

"Not, not, Miss, you are so beautiful, and there must be many men who like you. Why don’t you choose someone else to torment? Okay?" Chu Yan sighed.

"No!"

Su Muyan suddenly became very serious. "I like Brother Chu Yan, so I must marry you. Today, I will take you back to the capital, and tomorrow, I will have Father host our wedding."

Chu Yan couldn’t help but twitch his lips. *How did I end up with someone even more impatient than me?*

Liu Tianfeng’s heart also raced, truly worried that Chu Yan might annul the marriage for Su Muyan.

But Chu Yan suddenly sighed. "Miss, marriage is a serious matter, not a game, right? Let me tell you, you don’t know me. I’m a terrible person. I’m at the first level of the Mortal Realm, with one-star life force, a born supreme waste. I’ve never seen anyone more useless than me. And I have no ambition, no drive. I’m proud of being a waste. Truly, if you marry me, you and your father will regret it. Please let me go!"

"..."

Everyone was speechless, their eyes wide with shock. They had never seen someone humiliate themselves so thoroughly to avoid a marriage.