“Nice to meet you, I’m Zhang Qingyao. You must be Young Master Ye Xichen, right?”
Zhang Yuge spoke slowly, his tone gentle and polite.
“Uh… hello.”
Ye Xichen looked slightly uneasy.
This man didn’t seem hostile, but maybe he was just overthinking it.
“Ah Chen, sit down and talk.”
Ye Tianlu waved his hand dismissively, showing no respect to Zhang Yuge.
Ye Xichen followed his father’s lead and found a seat on the left side.
“Zhang Gongzi has come to visit the Ye family. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”
Ye Tianlu asked.
Heh, pretending to ask but clearly already knew.
“This junior is here mainly because of the Marriage Engagement between Zhong Bailin and Young Master Ye Xichen.”
Hearing this, Ye Xichen suddenly perked up.
Could this Zhang Qingyao be from my fiancée’s family?
Wait, she’s supposed to be surnamed Zhong, but this guy’s surname is Zhang.
“In that case, when does the Zhang family plan to hand her over?”
Ye Tianlu nodded and smiled.
Just as expected, the Zhang family clearly didn’t have the guts to go against the Ye family—they were wisely playing along.
“It seems Zhang Gongzi understands that a marriage is about matching talent and beauty, and families of equal standing. Ah Chen, what do you think?”
Ye Xichen was completely confused.
“Handing her over”?
What did that mean?
Caught off guard by his father’s question, he didn’t know how to respond and could only nod along.
“I think what Father said makes sense.”
Ye Xichen didn’t know about the dispute between the Zhang and Zhong families, nor the cooperation between the Ye and Zhong families, or the fact that Zhong Bailin had fallen under the Zhang family’s control.
After Ye Tianlu’s one-sided monologue, Zhang Yuge’s lips curled into a disdainful smirk.
Heh, likes to speak with sarcasm, huh?
I’ll disgust you to death.
Zhang Yuge replied obsequiously:
“Uncle Ye, you’re right, and I fully agree. That’s why I came this time—to formally break off the engagement on behalf of our family maid.”
“Maid? What maid?”
“Yes, I forgot to mention to Uncle Ye. Zhong Bailin has been a maidservant in the Zhang family for half a month now. Oh, and she’s no longer called Zhong Bailin. Since she’s part of the Zhang family now, of course she must take our surname. Zhang Qingyao—that’s the name I personally gave her. Uncle Ye, do you like it?”
With a loud crack, the purple clay teacup in Ye Tianlu’s hand was crushed to dust.
The hall fell into an uneasy silence.
“What’s this kid saying? Your fiancée is now your family’s maid?”
“Wait, I just realized Ye Xichen even has a fiancée.”
Some young members of the Ye family didn’t know about the engagement between Ye Xichen and Zhong Bailin.
After quietly asking their parents, their expressions instantly turned lively.
Mocking and scornful looks were cast at Ye Xichen.
Enduring the oppressive gazes, Ye Xichen glanced at his father, wanting to speak but hesitating.
At that moment, the Sword God System alerted him.
“Ding, publicly slapped in the face, Ye Xichen loses 10 fortune points, host’s destiny value increases by 100. Upgrading the system to Level IV2 requires 100 destiny points. Would you like to upgrade now?”
“System, confirm upgrade.”
“Upgrade complete. System now at Level IV2, can bind two targets. Host currently bound to one, one binding slot remains.”
Good.
Next, I have to try to provoke Ye Xichen into attacking me.
Once physical contact occurs, I can bind him.
Ye Tianlu slammed the table angrily.
“You brat from the Zhang family, do you know what you’re saying? You’re not only insulting my son but the entire Ye family. Do you understand the consequences of your words? Tell the Zhang family to hand over Zhong Bailin within three days, or the Ye family and Zhang family will be mortal enemies!”
“Uncle Ye, please calm down,”
Zhang Yuge continued grinning slyly.
“Didn’t you say a marriage is about matching talent and beauty, and families of equal standing? Zhong Bailin is just a maid in the Zhang family now. She’s clearly unworthy of Young Master Ye Xichen. To avoid disgracing the Ye family, I came to formally break off the engagement.”
“Nonsense! Zhong Bailin is the daughter of the head of the Qingyang Zhong Family. When did she become a maid in your Zhang family? Looks like the Zhang family has decided to become enemies of the Ye family,”
Ye Tianlu sneered.
Seeing the darkening expression, Zhang Yuge doubted that if he kept talking, Ye Tianlu might just rush over and cut him down.
“Master, are you there? Reply if you are. I’m a bit nervous now.”
“I’m here. I told you not to fear them. Keep pressing. I want to see a good show.”
Bolstered by Yunlan’s reply, Zhang Yuge’s courage returned.
“To be honest, it’s not that the Zhang family forcibly kept Zhong Bailin, but that she chose to stay here willingly. No matter how hard I try, she won’t leave. Becoming a maid in the Zhang family and my personal attendant was all her choice. I never forced her.”
“Zhang Qingyao, you’re going too far!”
The hall instantly fell silent, all eyes turning sharply to the handsome and refined young Ye Xichen.
Good.
He finally lost it.
Seeing the fury on Ye Xichen’s face, Zhang Yuge became energized.
As long as Ye Xichen can’t hold back and attacks me, I can bind him!
Ye Xichen strode forward, first respectfully bowing to Ye Tianlu, then turning to Zhang Yuge with a deliberately calm tone.
“Zhang Gongzi, may I ask if Miss Zhong herself has agreed in person to break off the engagement today? Besides, if Miss Zhong wanted to cancel the engagement, why didn’t she come herself but sent you, an unrelated person?”
Ye Xichen knew he was a loser now, but at least he had reached Qi Refining Third Layer.
The other party was only at Qi Refining Second Layer—not even as strong as him.
In terms of family background, only four other great clans in the entire Zhou Dynasty could rival the Ye family, and the Zhang family certainly wasn’t stronger.
In appearance, they were evenly matched—both among the best-looking of their generation.
From his heart, Ye Xichen was certain Zhang Yuge was speaking nonsense.
When Zhang Yuge fell silent, it only confirmed his suspicion.
Zhang Yuge was already planning his next move inside.
Heh, Ye Xichen, next I’m going to utterly destroy you.
“Uncle Ye, I have brought Zhong Bailin here with me. Since Young Master Ye seems doubtful of my words, please allow me to call her in for a face-to-face.”
“Fine, let her in. I want to see how long you can keep up this lie!”
Ye Xichen trembled, his face contorted with rage.
His voice carried murderous intent, fists clenched, eyes burning with fury.
Since falling from genius to useless, how many have mocked me?
How many have insulted me?
People in the Ye family mocked me and looked down on me.
Other great clans discriminated and trampled on me.
Why should someone like you—who’s utterly inferior and came out of nowhere—dare humiliate me?
You say my fiancée is your personal maid?
What a joke!
Looking at this furious youth, Zhang Yuge forced a calm expression and gently said to the steward Ye Shi:
“Steward, please fetch a maid named Zhang Qingyao.”
“…Maid at the door?”
Ye Xichen recalled the two maids who had been standing guard outside the hall.
The one on the left was stunningly beautiful.
Could it be… her?
Soon, Steward Ye Shi led a girl dressed as a maid into the hall.
Sure enough, it was her!
Ye Xichen’s eyes widened, staring at the girl’s shy face, his heart stirring.
She’s mine—my fiancée…
Zhang Qingyao followed behind the steward nervously, glancing around.
Seeing Zhang Yuge, she hesitated but then walked toward him.
“Young Master.”
She whispered as she passed in front of Zhang Yuge.
Without wasting words, Zhang Yuge immediately pulled her into his arms.
In front of everyone, Zhang Qingyao was suddenly hugged like that and felt deeply embarrassed.
She struggled quickly.
“What are you doing?”
Though it was just a normal resistance, to onlookers it looked like playful flirting.
Ye Xichen’s pupils dilated, stunned by the scene before him.
“Don’t move. If you don’t want to marry into the Ye family, cooperate quietly. It’s better for both of us.”
Since Zhang Qingyao became Zhang Yuge’s personal attendant, Zhang Yuge, as a Sword Master, could transmit his voice to his sword spirit remotely.
Hearing Zhang Yuge’s thoughts, Zhang Qingyao froze, then settled down, ceasing her struggles.
Not daring to meet others’ gazes, she lowered her head like a shy young wife.
“Xiao Yao, come here. Young Master wants to introduce you. Sitting above is Ye family head Ye Tianlu. And standing there is the Ye family’s eldest son, Ye Xichen. Uncle Ye, this is Zhong Bailin herself, though her name is now Zhang Qingyao, and she is my personal maid.”
Ye Tianlu recognized Zhong Bailin.
He had seen her portrait when arranging the engagement with the Zhong family.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to the match.
Though his eldest son’s cultivation was poor and his life miserable, he still hoped Ye Xichen could live comfortably.
For that, a suitable wife was essential.
Seeing Zhong Bailin now looking shy and clinging to Zhang Yuge, his expression darkened drastically.
“You shameless woman! Knowing you have a Marriage Engagement, yet you act so disgracefully!”
Ye Tianlu yelled at Zhang Qingyao, who had never encountered such an outburst.
She trembled in fear.
Feeling her shaking, Zhang Yuge hugged her tighter.
“Don’t be afraid. The Ye family won’t harm us with Master here.”
After comforting her, Zhang Yuge continued to provoke Ye Xichen.
“Young Master Ye, I have brought the person here. If you have questions, ask them here.”
Ye Xichen was stunned.
If even his father cursed this woman, she must be Zhong Bailin.
But he still couldn’t understand why she wanted to break the engagement, and why she would voluntarily stay by the side of a scumbag like Zhang Yuge.
“Miss Zhong, is breaking the engagement your own decision?”
Ye Xichen asked.
The girl hesitated and nodded.
“…It really wasn’t Zhang Qingyao using some trick to coerce you?”
Ye Xichen persisted.
“Answer him, say it’s voluntary and by your own choice.”
Zhang Qingyao glared at Zhang Yuge.
What do you mean by “my choice”? Have you no shame?
From her expression, Zhang Yuge understood her meaning and smiled maliciously.
“Don’t force me to use the command spell here. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of everyone, right?”
Ding, you’re ruthless!
“No, it’s Qingyao’s choice to stay with Young Master as his personal maid. It’s also my choice…”
Blushing, Zhang Qingyao recited Zhang Yuge’s scripted response.
“Also, my name is now Zhang Qingyao. Please address me as such, Young Master Ye.”
After hearing her reply, Ye Xichen was utterly confused.
Why was this happening?
He felt extremely frustrated.
Even the others in the Ye family were sighing.
“Ding, public slap to Ye Xichen, Ye Xichen loses 30 fortune points, host’s destiny value increases by 300.”
“Can you give me a reason? Zhang Qingyao is inferior to me in family background, cultivation, and looks. What does she see in him?”
Ye Xichen could no longer stay calm; his tone grew agitated.
“Because…”
The girl stammered, unable to finish.
“Speak! Tell me why!”
Ye Xichen’s voice became hysterical.
“Because… because Qingyao has completely become Young Master’s shadow! Young Master, you know? He’s just amazing. He’s nothing like Young Master Ye, who’s inexperienced and immature.”
At this moment, Zhang Qingyao had turned into a relentless parrot.
“To serve Young Master is a blessing Qingyao earned through countless lifetimes.”
“Ding, public slap to Ye Xichen, Ye Xichen loses 50 fortune points, host’s destiny value increases by 500.”