NOVEL NEXT Chapter 262: Turmoil
Chapter 262: Turmoil
The grand wedding ceremony arrived as scheduled.
Naturally, the event was held at the estate of the Marquis of Yong’an. The three influential families – Prince Hui, Duke Wuling, and the Marquis of Yong’an – gathered under one roof. Nearly all of the capital’s nobles and officials of the third rank and above were present. Those below the third rank? They weren’t invited… there simply wasn’t enough space.
Prince Hui was from the generation of the Emperor’s uncle. Duke Wuling, the first duke enfeoffed by the late emperor, had the highest prestige among the nobility.
As for the Marquis of Yong’an, he was the first marquis honored by the late emperor and stood as the leader among the marquises. More importantly, his two daughters and son had been accepted into the Holy Land for cultivation, all possessing peerless talents.
The phrase “Three Peerless Geniuses from One House” had become a legend, solidifying the Yong’an Marquis Estate as a future “pillar family” of the empire.
The marriage alliance of these three pillar families had profound significance.
Although the Emperor and Empress couldn’t personally attend the wedding of a junior, they sent the Crown Prince to give their blessing.
“The auspicious hour has arrived! The newlyweds shall bow!”
The Minister of Rites personally presided over the ceremony.
Holding two red silk ribbons, one leading to the County Princess on his left and the other leading to Ling Ran on his right, Xu Lian slowly walked into the hall.
Despite the biting winter cold, he could feel the scorching gazes of the nobility and high-ranking officials, as if they wished to kick him aside and take his place.
“Stop!”
To everyone’s shock, someone actually interrupted. A young man rushed into the hall.
The young man had a jade-like complexion, broad shoulders, and a slim waist-everyone would praise him as a striking figure.
“Thank the heavens… I finally made it. I’m not too late,” the young man muttered with a sigh of relief.
The nobles and officials exchanged puzzled glances.
“Who is this?”
“Judging by his bearing, he must be the heir of some prominent family…”
Servants from the Yong’an Marquis Estate chased after him, panicked and furious, trying to drag him away before he disrupted the young master’s wedding and incurred their lord’s wrath. But the youth stood firm, unmoved as an ancient pine tree, his feet rooted to the ground despite their tugging.
The Earl of Yuchuan turned pale and rushed forward, scolding the youth, “Mang’er! What are you doing?!”
Yu Mang replied, “Forgive me, Father. But I have to stop this farce of a marriage. Otherwise, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life!”
The Earl of Yuchuan roared, “What right do you have to interfere? The eldest son of the Yong’an Marquis is marrying the County Princess of Prince Hui’s line and the granddaughter of Duke Wuling! What does that have to do with you?”
The crowd stared in confusion. Why would Yu Mang, the heir of the Earl of Yuchuan, who had gone to the Holy Land to cultivate, return to disrupt the wedding? Did he fancy the County Princess or Duke Wuling’s granddaughter?
The Crown Prince frowned. “His Majesty has decreed this marriage. To oppose it is to defy the imperial will – a crime of treason! Yu Mang, stand down!”
Yu Mang’s gaze hardened. “Even if the emperor ordered it, I must stop this. Let His Majesty revoke the decree!”
The Crown Prince’s anger flared. “Outrageous! Do you think that being a mere disciple in the Holy Land gives you the right to interfere in the affairs of the court? You are nowhere near important enough!”
Yu Mang retorted, “This isn’t about court affairs. For twelve years in the Holy Land, Senior Sister Ling Ran cared for me. I vowed to make her my cultivation partner! I won’t watch her marry a mundane mortal in such a humiliating way!”
Xu Lian’s expression twisted. This Yu Mang must’ve turned into a cultivator’s fool. He doesn’t know anything about mundane matters. By repeatedly calling the crowd “mundane mortals,” Yu Mang had insulted everyone present, including his own father!
As expected, the Crown Prince, Prince Hui, Duke Wuling, Marquis of Yong’an, and the nobles all turned dark. They lacked cultivation talents and could only enjoy worldly luxuries. Although they envied the cultivators, being called ” mundane mortals” by a mere disciple of the Holy Land, not even an elder, deeply hurt them.
Slap!
The Earl of Yuchuan slapped Yu Mang’s face in anger.
The result? Yu Mang was unharmed, but the palm of the Earl’s hand split open.
The Earl raised his bleeding hand, trembling as he pointed at his son. “You unfilial wretch! Do you know what you’ve done?!
The ancestors of our Yuchuan County were once subordinates of the ancestors of the Marquis of Yong’an! Together, they followed the late Emperor to forge this empire and earned our title!
Today, the Marquis of Yong’an’s heir is getting married, and instead of offering blessings, you disrupt it! How can you disrespect our ancestors?!
Twelve years ago, when the Immortal Masters discovered your cultivation talent, I was overjoyed. Now I’m filled with regret!
I shouldn’t have let you enter the Holy Land! Instead of refining your character, you’ve become arrogant! How dare you defy an imperial decree? If you want to die, don’t drag our entire clan down with you!”
His words were scathing. Yu Mang’s eyes reddened and tears flowed down his cheeks. He’d acted out of youthful passion, never imagining the consequences.
What a mess… Xu Lian stepped forward, unwilling to let his wedding spiral into a clan-destroying disaster.
“Brother Yu Mang, I understand your feelings. There’s nothing wrong with going after the one you love.”
Xu Lian acknowledged his stance before pivoting around. “But have you considered that this is just your one-sided affection? Did you ever ask Senior Sister Ling Ran if she wishes to be your cultivation partner?
Senior Sister willingly agreed to marry me alongside the County Princess. No one forced her. If she desired to be with you, why would she consent to this marriage?”
Yu Mang froze.
Ling Ran lifted her red veil slightly, glancing at him. “Junior Brother Yu, in the Holy Land, I treated you kindly because we are both from noble houses. If you misunderstood, I apologize. From the beginning to the end, my heart belonged to Brother Lian.”
Hearing this, the expressions of the nobles changed. So it was all a farce.
The Earl of Yuchuan dragged Yu Mang away and cursed, “Shame on you! Did you hear that? Duke Wuling’s granddaughter never cared about you! Where has your cultivation led you? I will teach you the ways of the world!”
Staying any longer would only isolate the Yuchuan County in the court. Humiliated, the Count fled.
The Marquis of Yong’an waved his hand. “Let this misunderstanding pass. Proceed with the ceremony.”
The Crown Prince snorted. “Yu Mang overestimates himself. A disciple of the Holy Land dares to defy the Emperor’s decree! If unpunished, any cultivator might think he can dictate to the court!”
Knowing the close ties between their families, Xu Lian interceded, “Your Highness, Yu Mang is young and impulsive. He didn’t mean to disrespect Your Majesty or the court. I beg for leniency.”
He avoided an outright demand for release and offered the Crown Prince a graceful compromise.
The Crown Prince praised, “The Marquis of Yong’an’s heir shows true nobility-a model for aristocratic offspring.”
The nobles looked at Xu Lian with newfound respect. Although he’d been notorious for carousing with other young masters-fighting, gambling, and causing trouble-he’d shown unexpected poise.
The Marquis and Marquise of Yong’an exchanged pleasantly surprised glances. Our son has really matured.