NOVEL NEXT Chapter 217: Visiting the Nalan Family
Seeing Xiao Yixian, who had called his name but remained standing there with a troubled expression, Xiao Yan cautiously asked.
“Um… Xiao Yixian, is there something wrong?”
Looking at Xiao Yan’s hesitant and worried face, Xiao Yixian sighed heavily before softly replying.
“Nothing.” She placed one hand on her waist and motioned lightly with her head towards Xiao Yan. “Lord Jia gave you a task, didn’t he? Go ahead and take care of it.”
“Huh…”
Xiao Yan nodded absentmindedly, raising his eyebrows in confusion, but said nothing more.
Seeing that Xiao Yixian seemed no longer angry, Xiao Yan finally felt relieved, even though he still didn’t understand why she had been upset in the first place.
Xiao Yan and his group then started asking for directions on the street as they made their way to the Nalan family. Although Xiao Yan had visited ten years ago, the Jia Ma Sacred City had changed significantly since then. Moreover, his childhood memories were not very clear.
After walking for several minutes following the directions given by passersby, Xiao Yan and his group finally arrived at the entrance of the Nalan residence.
“Not much has changed here.”
Xiao Yan murmured, gently stroking his chin. Except for a new plaque reading “Nalan Residence” above the gate, everything else seemed to match his vague childhood memories.
I remember coming here to deliver a letter from my grandfather on his deathbed?
Xiao Yan couldn’t help but recall the reason for his previous visit to the Nalan residence. Meanwhile, Xiao Yixian gazed up at the plaque, her brow furrowed slightly.
This is the Nalan family, which means once they enter, Xiao Yan will meet his fiancée, Nalan Yanran.
When that happens, another confrontation between herself and Nalan Yanran is inevitable. She needed to be prepared.
After all, Nalan Yanran possessed the formidable title of fiancée, whereas her own relationship with Xiao Yan was merely that of friends. Even though she had feelings for Xiao Yan, it was one-sided.
While Xiao Yixian was lost in thought, Xiao Yan stepped forward and looked at the two guards by the gate.
Each side of the gate was inlaid with a bronze lion’s head holding an iron ring in its mouth.
Xiao Yan reached out and gently tapped the iron ring against the door three times, then stepped back and waited.
Shortly after, the heavy door slowly opened, revealing an elderly butler. His aged eyes first scanned the group, showing a hint of surprise upon seeing Little Lion King, which quickly turned into understanding.
The butler stepped out from the door, clasped his hands in front of him, and bowed to the group, his voice slow and respectful.
“Greetings, you must be friends of the young lady. She informed this old servant about your arrival and instructed me to bring you in when you came. And if I am not mistaken, this young man should be the future son-in-law?”
“Uh… yes.”
Hearing the butler’s title for him, Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, then scratched his cheek awkwardly, nodding in agreement.
Being Nalan Yanran’s fiancé, it was only natural for the Nalan family butler to address him as the future son-in-law.
While Xiao Yan felt only awkwardness, Xiao Yixian was quite displeased.
The butler’s address of “son-in-law” sounded particularly grating to her ears.
However, she noticed that Xiao Yan not only looked embarrassed but also seemed confused and puzzled, his brows slightly furrowed.
At this moment, the butler turned and opened the door wider, warmly inviting Xiao Yan and his group in.
“Please come in, I will take you to see the young lady and the master.”
With that, the butler turned and led the way. Xiao Yixian took the opportunity to quietly ask Xiao Yan.
“Xiao Yan, what’s wrong?”
She had clearly seen the confusion in Xiao Yan’s eyes. He must have found something strange.
But Xiao Yan did not answer immediately. He simply shook his head lightly, glanced at Xiao Yixian and the others, and said,
“Let’s go in.”
As she watched Xiao Yan follow the butler, Xiao Yixian’s brows furrowed tightly.
Xiao Yan must have discovered something.
But since he wasn’t saying anything, he must have his reasons. Xiao Yixian decided not to press him, instead following along with Zi Yun, Qing Lin, and Little Lion King into the Nalan residence.
She had to admit, the Nalan family was truly grand, even more so than her own home, causing Xiao Yan to marvel inwardly.
Zi Yun also observed the luxurious mansion. As a magical beast, such mansions meant little to her, but viewing it through human eyes, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat awed.
“Are human houses always this big?” Zi Yun asked Xiao Yixian, who waved her hand dismissively.
“Of course not. This mansion is one of the finest in the Jia Ma Empire.”
Zi Yun’s ignorance was understandable, but as someone from an ordinary family, Xiao Yixian was well aware of the difference.
Take the Wan Yao Zhai in Qingshan Town, for instance. It had only two floors, with the shop downstairs and living quarters upstairs, and the concept of a courtyard was out of reach for ordinary families like hers.
Even so, Wan Yao Zhai’s house was considered quite spacious among the townsfolk.
After answering Zi Yun’s question, Xiao Yixian surveyed the large courtyard, her brow furrowing deeply.
At this moment, she truly felt the disparity in status and wealth.
She could cheer for finding a hundred thousand gold coins in a cave, but to the Nalan family, that amount was probably insignificant.
Of course, she didn’t think Xiao Yan was someone who valued wealth over relationships. Otherwise, as the future son-in-law of the Nalan family, he wouldn’t befriend her and Boss Yao, nor risk his life for a common girl like her.
But one thing she had to admit.
Being well-matched in status was very important.
It’s not just about family background, but also about the education and values that both sides have received over the years. People from different backgrounds might have entirely different views on the same issue, which is why being well-matched is more acceptable.
Simply put, Xiao Yan’s fiancée was a considerable challenge.
Although Xiao Yan regarded Nalan Yanran as just a friend, the same way he did with her, this both frustrated and comforted Xiao Yixian.
Because if Xiao Yan didn’t have this attitude, she wouldn’t even have the chance to get close to him.
Yet, as a woman, and having experienced her conversation with Nalan Yanran in the commercial street, Xiao Yixian was certain that Nalan Yanran’s feelings for Xiao Yan went far beyond that of a fiancée.
She genuinely wanted to remove the word “fiancée.”
As Xiao Yixian pondered how to handle the tricky opponent that was Nalan Yanran, the butler led the group to a room and gently knocked on the door.
“Master, Young Master Xiao Yan and his friends have arrived.”
“Xiao Yan is here?!”
As soon as the butler finished speaking, the door opened from the inside, and Nalan Yanran’s obviously joyous face appeared before Xiao Yan and the others.
Following her, Nalan Jie was seen sitting inside the room.
“Xiao Yan, you’ve come.”
Seeing his old friend’s grandson, Nalan Jie’s expression relaxed. Nalan Yanran stepped over the threshold and unhesitatingly grabbed Xiao Yan’s arm, pulling him inside.
“Come in and sit! I was just talking to Grandpa about you!”
Facing such enthusiasm, Xiao Yan felt it hard to refuse and allowed her to pull him into the room.
Witnessing this, Xiao Yixian’s eyebrow twitched, and she clenched her teeth slightly, entering the room with Qing Lin, Zi Yun, and Little Lion King.
Seeing Xiao Yan sitting beside Nalan Jie and Nalan Yanran smiling at him, Xiao Yixian’s fists tightened slightly. She took a deep breath and sat opposite Xiao Yan, pulling Qing Lin to sit next to her.
Zi Yun also sat down, leaning back casually in her chair with her legs crossed, gently stroking Little Lion King, who was squatting beside the chair.
Seeing the little lion enjoying Zi Yun’s touch, Nalan Jie’s eyes suddenly narrowed.
Even Mu Zhan could recognize Little Lion King as a Purple Crystal Winged Lion King’s cub, so there was no reason for Nalan Jie, the Lionheart Marshal, not to recognize it.
Looking at the outstanding Zi Yun and recalling the fleeting Dou Qi from the commercial street between Jia Xing Tian and another unknown Dou Huang, Nalan Jie had his suspicions.
The Dou Qi confronting Jia Xing Tian must have belonged to this purple-haired woman.
After everyone sat down, the butler wisely nodded at Nalan Jie and then left the room, closing the door gently.
“Grandpa Nalan, I heard from Lord Jia that your health hasn’t been great these past few days. Did something happen?”
Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Jie with concern. Xiao Yixian also thought of the incident in the Tager Desert, her eyes flashing with guilt. She was about to speak when Nalan Jie noticed her expression and raised his hand to stop her.
“Girl, rest assured, it has nothing to do with your matter. No need to feel guilty.” Nalan Jie comforted her softly before turning to Xiao Yan. “Recently, there have been a few more things on my plate, making me a bit tired. So, I asked Lord Jia for a few days off to rest at home. It’s nothing serious.”
“Is that so.”
Xiao Yan sighed in relief. Like Xiao Yixian, he had been worried that Nalan Jie’s health had suffered due to helping her suppress her surging Dou Qi. It seemed his worries were unfounded.
Xiao Yan then chatted with Nalan Jie about various topics, such as the current situation of the Xiao family. There had been too much going on with the Snake People before, leaving no time for Nalan Jie and Xiao Yan to catch up after ten years. Now, they finally had the chance.
After some casual conversation, Nalan Jie turned his gaze to Zi Yun and asked softly.
“Xiao Yan, who is this?”
“She is Zi Yun, a friend of mine. The little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King is her son.”
Considering he was talking to Nalan Jie, and since Nalan Yanran already knew that Sister Zi Yun was the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, there was no need to hide the truth.
“Oh, I see.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s response, Nalan Jie initially nodded in understanding, but then his expression froze as he processed Xiao Yan’s words.
Xiao Yan said that the little Purple Crystal Winged Lion King was this woman’s son?
If so, then this woman must be… the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King?!
Nalan Jie was filled with shock, but after a few seconds, he calmed down.
Presumably, the person who confronted Lord Jia in the commercial street earlier must have been her.
Since Zi Yun was able to come to the Nalan family with Xiao Yan, it indicated that Lord Jia had already determined she wouldn’t pose a threat, so there was no need for Nalan Jie to worry.
At this moment, Xiao Yan spoke to Nalan Jie.
“Grandpa Nalan, I would like to discuss something with you.”
Nalan Jie frowned slightly, connecting Xiao Yan’s earlier meeting with Jia Xing Tian. He glanced subtly at Nalan Yanran sitting next to Xiao Yan.
Inwardly, he felt a pang of sadness.
‘It seems Jia Xing Tian still doesn’t fully trust Yanran…’
Nalan Jie sighed. He understood that it wasn’t Jia Xing Tian’s fault. As the ruler of a nation, he had to be responsible for the entire Jia Ma Empire, and suspicion was only natural. The fault lay with himself.
He shouldn’t have agreed to let Nalan Yanran go to the Yunlan Sect in the first place.
Nalan Jie then looked at Nalan Yanran.
“Yanran, take our guests to the reception hall and entertain them well. I need to speak privately with Xiao Yan.”
“Alright…”
Nalan Yanran nodded, though her eyes showed a hint of confusion.
Did Grandpa meet Xiao Yan before?
With this question in mind, she stood up and politely led Xiao Yixian and the others out of the room. Xiao Yixian glanced at Xiao Yan and silently followed Nalan Yanran.
Xiao Yan had his own matters to attend to.
As she watched Nalan Yanran’s back, Xiao Yixian’s emerald eyes gleamed.
And I have my own things to handle as well.
After everyone else had left, Xiao Yan made sure no one was eavesdropping before he relayed the instructions Jia Xing Tian had given in the palace.
Nalan Jie pondered for a moment after hearing this and then nodded slightly.
“I understand. I will have the butler handle it. No one else will know, including Yanran.”
The old butler had served the Nalan family for decades. Nalan Jie trusted him implicitly.
However, Xiao Yan frowned upon hearing this.
After a while, he looked at Nalan Jie and asked softly.
“Grandpa Nalan, is this butler the same one I met when I visited ten years ago?”
Given that it was a childhood memory, Xiao Yan had only seen the butler once and didn’t have a strong impression of him, which is why he asked.
Nalan Jie nodded lightly at Xiao Yan’s question.
“Yes, it’s the same person. He has been with the Nalan family for decades.” Then, noticing Xiao Yan seemed to have more to say, Nalan Jie frowned slightly. “What’s the matter?”
Xiao Yan lowered his head in thought for a moment, then looked at Nalan Jie.
“I feel that the butler I met ten years ago and the one now… might not be the same person.”