In the vast Nine Provinces Land, dynasties rose and Noble Families flourished, but all revered the Great Xia.
Within the Great Xia of today, the Prime Minister held absolute power. His authority was immense, his might overshadowed the world, and his reputation echoed across the four seas.
The status of his only son was comparable to that of the Crown Prince, perhaps even greater.
The Su Family had been content in the small Yu Yi City for far too long, and now, an opportunity seemed to have presented itself before him...
A fine sheen of sweat appeared in Su Changkong's palms.
Su Qinghan took in every change in her father's expression. She clenched her jade-like hands, feeling both powerless and furious.
It had been the same back then, when the Su Family had forced her to marry Lin Fan according to the engagement contract left by the elders.
She had thought her younger sister would be luckier, that she might escape such a fate.
But in the end, it was happening all over again...
"Oh, I didn't mean anything by it. I just saw that Miss Qingyao is pure and lovely, so I asked on a whim."
Jiang Lan smiled casually, his gaze sweeping over the stunned Su Qingyao as if with a certain appreciation.
'In the original plot, Su Qingyao did indeed have a constitution similar to a Tripod Furnace, which could aid others in their cultivation.'
'And because of her Innocent Heart, her Realm-Breaking was unimpeded. She would rarely encounter bottlenecks, and the further she progressed, the faster her cultivation speed would become.'
'However, he hadn't asked just now because he coveted her constitution.'
'It was purely to maintain his original body's personality and habits, as well as to intimidate and threaten Su Qinghan.'
'Although he had blamed his father for the scheme against Lin Fan at the Snow Moon Pavilion today, his words and actions at the time were still somewhat different from before.'
'A few small differences naturally wouldn't arouse suspicion in the short term.'
'But over time, once these differences were magnified, problems could easily arise.'
Jiang Lan was still uncertain about the condition of this body.
To be safe, it was better to be cautious.
'It wasn't hard to play the part of a lecherous second-generation heir. Hmm, actually, it's not even playing a part. After all, lechery is in a man's nature.'
Su Changkong cupped his hands and replied, "To answer Young Master Jiang, Qingyao is sixteen and has never been betrothed. The family has always had her study diligently at the academy and focus on her cultivation. All these years, we have never let her interact with men…"
Hearing this, Su Qingyao stared blankly at her father.
Her head was buzzing. The color slowly drained from her little face, leaving it pale.
'Why was this suddenly about whether or not she was betrothed?'
'Was he planning to marry her off?'
The female relatives of the other major families in Yu Yi City looked at Su Qingyao, their eyes filled with unconcealed envy and jealousy.
Although they all knew Jiang Lan had a bad reputation and wasn't a good match,
he was handsome, elegant, and possessed an extraordinary air. More importantly, he was the most powerful noble in the Great Xia today.
Who wouldn't yearn to grasp such a high branch when it was right in front of them?
If he just gave the slightest nod, countless talented women would be fighting to offer themselves to him...
"It's good that she isn't."
Jiang Lan continued to smile, then looked at Su Qingyao. "Miss Qingyao, you're sitting quite far away. Are you afraid of me?"
Su Qingyao remained frozen in place, stunned.
At his words, her pearly white teeth bit down hard on her lower lip, her pretty face devoid of color. She then cast a pleading gaze toward her father.
However, Su Changkong seemed to have made up his mind, and he remained standing with his hands cupped and his body bowed.
He seemed completely oblivious to Su Qingyao's gaze.
'Qingyao, don't blame your father. For something like this...'
He sighed inwardly, overcome with guilt. But the thought of the Su Family's current situation and the future that was just a step away forced his resolve to harden.
The pillar of the Su Family, the old master, did not have many years left to live. Although Su Qinghan's talent was outstanding, she was still too young to support the entire Su Family. Even if she joined the Dao Cang Sword Sect, it wouldn't be of much use.
Which of the four great families of Yu Yi City didn't have some connection to an Immortal Sect Lineage?
Zhao Dieyi watched Jiang Lan gently swirl the wine in his golden cup and spat softly.
'She was wondering if she should help the poor girl out of her predicament.'
But then, a voice as cold as snow suddenly rang out. "Qingyao is still young and doesn't understand the ways of the world or proper etiquette. She is afraid that if she sits too close, some rude or boorish action might offend Young Master Jiang…"
It was accompanied by a faint, crisp fragrance.
Su Qinghan stood up and gracefully walked a few steps to Jiang Lan's side before kneeling to sit.
Her plain, flawless white dress accentuated her slender and graceful figure, and her legs, hidden beneath the hem, seemed exceptionally long.
"Qinghan apologizes on my sister's behalf, Young Master Jiang. I hope you will not hold it against her."
She slightly rolled up her sleeve, revealing a wrist as fair and delicate as jade. She picked up the wine pot with her slender hand and filled Jiang Lan's cup, her tone apologetic as she spoke.
"Qinghan…"
"Sister…"
Su Changkong and Su Qingyao were both stunned. They never expected Su Qinghan, who had always been as proud and aloof as a winter plum blossom, to suddenly step forward and help her out.
'It is your father's incompetence. I have failed you...'
Su Changkong's heart filled with even more guilt.
'Su Qingyao, on the other hand, was moved, but also filled with regret. If only I'd been a little braver just now, my sister wouldn't have had to save me. I'm so useless...'
Everyone at the banquet, including Zhao Tianhe, tacitly ignored the scene as if they hadn't seen a thing.
Only the many female relatives looked at Su Qingyao as if disappointed in her unrealized potential. An opportunity was right in front of her, but she didn't seize it, instead handing it over to her sister. They had truly witnessed the girl's foolishness today.
"Miss Qinghan, you jest. I was merely making a casual joke. Why would I possibly blame Miss Qingyao?" Jiang Lan smiled, but with his other hand under the jade table, he captured the pair of jade-like hands Su Qinghan had just set down.
They were cool and soft, as fine as the highest quality, flawless white jade. He could feel that her fingers were exceptionally slender and long.
He caressed them as if handling a work of art made from jade. His expression remained normal, but his eyes were filled with keen interest.
Su Qinghan stiffened slightly, as if she had touched a venomous snake, and goosebumps broke out all over her skin.
With everyone watching, she didn't dare pull her hand back, afraid of offending Jiang Lan and displeasing him.
She felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
Throughout the rest of the banquet, Su Qinghan lost count of how many times Jiang Lan took liberties with her.
Even when Su Changkong noticed later on, he could only force himself to pretend he didn't see, his eyes filled with helplessness and guilt.
The banquet did not truly end until the moonlight had passed the third eave. One by one, the guests bid their farewells and departed.
Zhao Tianhe was scheduled to leave Yu Yi City and return to Jingyang City the next day, so he had taken Zhao Dieyi and left early, halfway through the banquet.
After seeing what happened to Su Qinghan, he was genuinely worried that Jiang Lan would set his sights on Zhao Dieyi.
Now that the issue with Zhao Dieyi's Absolute Yin Cold Vein was resolved, she needed to return to the Chi Yao Sect to cultivate as soon as possible, lest she attract unwanted attention.