Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 463 In youth, one should avoid encountering someone too dazzling.

The reception hall of Canglan Club.

Chu Zining looked at the Cai family's experts, a smile on his face, but he was also somewhat annoyed inside.

The Cai family came to our door today without any prior notice, catching us completely off guard.

Most importantly, Canglan Club does not handle marriage contracts.

If the young master of the Cai family has taken a liking to the princess of Yan, then he should go to Canglan Island to discuss it with the royal family of Yan. What does it have to do with the Canglan Guild Hall?

The only thing the Canglan Guild could do was to have the Cai family approach them privately and propose marriage, while they could send someone to Canglan Island to speak on their behalf.

This is the only thing that Canglan Guild Hall can do.

He couldn't overstep his bounds and make decisions for the Yan royal family. More importantly, the Yan princess, one of the parties involved, was still in the courtyard of the guild hall and hadn't arrived yet.

The so-called mutual consent from the Cai family's powerful figures is probably questionable.

“Lord Cai, my Canglan Guild is not responsible for this matter, and I am truly sorry. However, I can inform the elders of the woman’s family on the island and ask them to discuss this marriage with your family.”

Chu Zining ultimately declined. The fact that the Yan princess did not appear indicated that she had no interest in the Cai family's young master. The simplest solution was for him to have the Yan princess appear and explain the matter directly to the Cai family, thus causing them to leave on their own initiative.

However, this would likely cause the Cai family to lose face. After all, the Cai family's grand arrival had been widely known, and if they were to simply carry their gifts back, they would surely be ridiculed by the martial artists in the city.

Being ridiculed, the Cai family will definitely hold a grudge against the guild hall.

As one of the four major families in Linhai City, the Cai family wields considerable power throughout the city. Offending the Cai family would be a troublesome matter for the Canglan Guild Hall and even Canglan Island.

“Brother Chu, your Canglan Guild represents Canglan Island. My Cai family is marrying a woman from Canglan Island, so naturally we need to contact your guild. As for the woman’s family, I believe they are not going to object to this marriage.”

Cai Zexian wore a confident smile. It was an honor for the woman from Canglan Island that his nephew had taken a liking to.

If it weren't for Lin Chen emerging from Canglan Island, these elders would never have agreed to such a marriage in the past. As one of the four major families in Linhai, every marriage of the younger generation is a political alliance, let alone that of a direct descendant.

The Cai family had also investigated and found that there was a princess in the Yan Kingdom on Canglan Island who had an ambiguous relationship with Lin Chen. Therefore, Duan'er's marriage to Murong Xin could be considered as being related to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen has immense potential and will surely become a top powerhouse in the Yan Dynasty in the future. This is why the family agreed to Duan'er marrying Murong Xin and why they sent such a grand congratulatory gift.

This was an open strategy. Cai Zexian wasn't afraid that Chu Zining would see through it, nor was he afraid that the Yan royal family would see through the Cai family's intentions. For the Yan royal family, having the Cai family as a marriage partner was like having a great help, and for Canglan Island, it also brought them closer to the Cai family.

Lin Chen is indeed Canglan Island's greatest asset, but he is far away in the Canglan Sect, and it's unlikely he'd make a special trip back for minor matters. As the saying goes, distant water can't quench a nearby fire, and this marriage alliance benefits all three parties.

……

A courtyard behind the guild hall.

"Aunt Ying, what should I do?"

Murong Xin looked somewhat flustered. The curator had just sent someone to inform her of what had happened at the entrance of the guild hall and asked her to tell him her thoughts so that the curator could deal with the Cai family.

"Princess, what is your impression of the young master of the Cai family?" the middle-aged woman beside Murong Xin asked in a deep voice.

"I've only met you twice, so I don't have much of a feeling about it."

Hearing her princess's answer, the middle-aged woman was not surprised. If the princess really had feelings for this young master of the Cai family, she should have been delighted when she heard the news, instead of being so flustered.

The problem now is that the Cai family has come to propose marriage, and His Majesty is very likely to agree.

The Sixth Princess recently sent back a letter, mentioning that the Yan family, the main branch of the Murong family, is not having an easy time in the Yan Dynasty and is facing a crisis that could lead to their extermination.

The main family is unreliable, and the Yan Kingdom's strength on Canglan Island is only average. Now that Canglan Island is in contact with the outside world, His Majesty must also consider the future development of the Yan Kingdom. Even if he doesn't consider the entire Yan Kingdom, the future of the Murong family alone is something His Majesty is focusing on.

Arranging a marriage between the princess and the Cai family's youngest princess would be entirely beneficial to the Murong family.

Over the years, many princesses of the royal family have followed this path of marriage alliances. However, while their original marriage partners were royal families of various countries, now they are the major families of the East China Sea.

“Princess, can you tell me why you have no interest in the young master of the Cai family? He is handsome and comes from a good family, making him a suitable husband.”

Su Ying voiced her doubts. As princesses of Yan, marriage alliances were their mission, and her own princess should have already accepted it. As for love, it was too much of a luxury for princesses of Yan.

Now that such a suitable husband is available, why would our princess not accept him?
When Murong Xin heard Su Ying's question, a blush appeared on her pretty face, but she immediately lowered her head: "I want to be with the person I like, just like Sixth Sister."

Su Ying could only manage a wry smile at her princess's reply.

She had actually guessed it in her heart. The Sixth Princess had expressed her feelings to Lin Chen in front of so many geniuses from the Nine Kingdoms without asking for a title. Afterwards, she was the subject of much discussion among martial artists in the country. Even many members of the royal family were very dissatisfied with this, feeling that the Sixth Princess had brought shame to the royal family.

However, now when the Sixth Princess is mentioned, everyone praises her for her discerning eye in recognizing a hero.

Those who used to gossip behind Lin Chen's back are now praising the Sixth Princess for recognizing his potential so early on.

However, there is only one genius like Lin Chen in the entire Canglan Island and even the many islands in the East China Sea. Where can our princess find such a person?

wrong……

Su Ying suddenly frowned. Just now, a blush had flashed across her princess's face. Even if the princess wanted to choose a true husband for her, there was no need for her to be so shy.

hiss!
Su Ying gasped. She realized that her princess had also fallen for Lin Chen.

Young people should avoid meeting someone too amazing when they are young.

When you meet someone who is too amazing, it becomes difficult to be attracted to anyone else.

This is a folk proverb that has been passed down in the Yan State.

My silly princess!
Su Ying was helpless. Putting aside the relationship between Lin Chen and the Sixth Princess, given Lin Chen's current status, her own princess had no chance at all.

However, that's not the time to think about those things; the real issue is how to resolve the Cai family's problems.

As the guardian who has cared for the princess since she was a child, Su Ying always considers things from the princess's perspective. Right now, the only way is to get the Cai family to give up on their own initiative. Otherwise, once the news reaches Canglan Island, His Majesty will definitely agree.

“Princess, if you really don’t want to be engaged to that young master of the Cai family, then you must make it clear to his face and cut off this matter. Otherwise, when the news gets back, the elders in the clan may have other ideas.”

Su Ying reminded her, and Murong Xin's face turned pale; she understood what Aunt Ying meant.

“I’ll go and explain things to Cai Duan right away.”

Murong Xin was a decisive person, but Su Ying shook her head when she heard this: "Princess, you can't go now. If you say it in front of everyone, the Cai family will lose face. I will go to the front yard and invite the young master of the Cai family to come. I will tell him that the princess wants to talk to him privately and persuade him to let the Cai family leave."

"Okay, then I'll trouble you, Aunt Ying."

"Princess, think about how to talk to the young master of the Cai family without hurting their reputation."

"Yes, I'll think it over."

Su Ying quickly left the courtyard, and in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a handsome young man followed her into the courtyard.

"You should step back first."

Cai Duan watched as Su Ying followed him into the courtyard, his face darkening: "Since your princess wants to speak with me privately, you will stand guard outside the courtyard."

"Young Master Cai, I am the princess's personal guard, I must not..."

"How dare you! Do you think I would harm your princess?!"

Cai Duan's expression instantly turned cold, and at the same time, he released his aura as a first-grade martial artist, making it difficult for Su Ying to breathe. "Young Master Cai, please calm down. Aunt Ying did not mean to offend you."

Murong Xin's voice came, and Cai Duan then stopped breathing and let out a soft hum. Su Ying, on the other hand, was panting heavily, as if she had escaped death.

"For Princess Murong's sake, I'll spare your life. Get lost."

"Aunt Ying, you can wait outside the courtyard."

Murong Xin also spoke up. She knew that Aunt Ying was worried about her, but this was the Canglan Guild Hall, and Cai Duan should not do anything reckless.

"Okay, I'll wait outside the gate."

Upon hearing her princess speak, Su Ying turned and walked towards the courtyard gate. However, once outside the gate, she stood still, ready to rush in immediately if there was any commotion in the courtyard.

“Princess Murong, this time I have brought my third uncle to propose marriage in person, which is enough to show my feelings for you.”

Cai Duan spoke first, saying that he would marry Murong Xin. Besides hearing that a princess in the Murong family had an ambiguous relationship with Lin Chen, another reason was that Murong Xin's appearance was excellent even in Linhai City.

Murong Xin, dressed in a yellow dress, with her delicate nose slightly upturned and her lips painted with rouge, had a slender and well-proportioned figure, like a magnolia in the morning dew, possessing both the lightness of a young girl and the nobility of royalty.

“I am just an ordinary woman from an overseas island. How could I possibly deserve Young Master Cai’s kindness? I am truly humbled. I am afraid I cannot bear Young Master Cai’s kindness. Please forgive me.”

Upon hearing Murong Xin's words, Cai Duan's smile froze on his face.

“Princess Murong, there is no need to be modest. I do not care about the princess’s background. With the strength of my Cai family, I do not need to arrange a marriage. My Cai family will also provide assistance to the princess’s family.”

Murong Xin hadn't expected that even after her tactful refusal, this young master Cai would still persist. She gritted her teeth and said in a deep voice, "Young master Cai, to be honest, I already have someone I like, and I really cannot accept your kindness."

Although Aunt Ying told her to refuse tactfully, judging from Cai Duan's behavior, tactful refusal probably wouldn't work, so she might as well be more direct.

This time, Cai Duan's smile vanished, and he stared at Murong Xin: "Princess Murong, my Cai family has come to our door in such a grand manner that more than half of the martial artists in the city probably know about it now. If we are rejected like this, my Cai family will have nowhere to put our face."

“I know the princess and I haven’t had much contact, but I believe that after we get engaged, as long as we get to know each other better, the princess will understand my character.”

Do you have someone you like?
Cai Duan sneered inwardly. He figured that Murong Xin must have a man she liked on Canglan Island, but those men on Canglan Island were no match for him. As a princess of Yan, Murong Xin couldn't possibly have an affair with a man in private, and she must still be a virgin. That was enough.

He married Murong Xin for two reasons: first, because of her beauty, and second, because of Lin Chen. Whether Murong Xin liked him or not was irrelevant. Murong Xin wasn't the only woman he had in his life; he had several women in his household.

Murong Xin was amused and annoyed by Cai Duan's confidence. She had made herself so clear, how could this person still be so shameless?

“Young Master Cai, there is no possibility between us. You can tell the outside world that I have an illness, and that your Cai family decided to give up this marriage after discovering it. In this way, the Cai family’s reputation will be preserved.”

A woman revealing that she has a medical condition can have a huge impact on the reputation of unmarried women.

But Murong Xin had no choice. The Cai family was a behemoth compared to her own. If she didn't protect the Cai family's reputation, they would definitely hold a grudge against her.

"Princess Murong!"

Cai Duan's expression also turned gloomy: "Whether or not the princess is ill is not up to her to decide. If the princess is indeed ill, I do know some medical skills and can take a look at her."

Cai Duan strode closer, and Murong Xin's expression changed drastically. She quickly retreated, saying, "Young Master Cai, this is the Canglan Guild Hall. Please don't act recklessly."

"So what if it's the Canglan Guild Hall? Do you really think the Canglan Guild Hall dares to interfere in the affairs of my Cai family?"

Cai Duan sneered disdainfully: "Since the princess is unwilling to grant my wish, then I will have to grant it to the princess."

Looking at Murong Xin in front of him, Cai Duan's eyes burned with malice. Even if he really did force himself on Murong Xin, the Canglan Guild would not become enemies with the Cai family because of this. In addition, since he would marry Murong Xin, the Murong family would only allow Murong Xin to marry him.

The die is cast, and Murong Xin can't escape now.

"Aunt Ying!"

Murong Xin shouted in a panic, but found that the closed courtyard gate remained silent.

"Don't waste your energy. The people outside can't hear you. Princess, save your energy for later."

Cai Duan chuckled. His aura had already enveloped Murong Xin, preventing any of her words from being transmitted. Moreover, with his second uncle, a Xiantian expert, in the Canglan Hall, he had nothing to worry about.

call out!
Seeing the panicked Murong Xin, Cai Duan's eyes grew even more sinister. He flashed and reached out to grab Murong Xin, but just as he was about to touch her, a terrifying force suddenly slammed into his chest.

puff!
Cai Duan was sent flying backward, his face filled with disbelief, as he crashed into the courtyard wall, smashing a hole through it.

"Princess!"

Such a commotion caused Su Ying, who was guarding the courtyard gate, to immediately push the gate open and rush in. However, when she saw the figure standing in the courtyard, the expression on Su Ying's face changed from anxious to incredulous.

"Young Master Lin...?"

She had seen him from afar at a banquet in the palace last year.

"Throw this guy in the front hall, Senior Brother Chu will handle it. As for the Cai family... if they're not satisfied, let them come and talk to me."

In the courtyard, Lin Chen's face was frosty. If he had returned later, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

If he were to see Murong Yan again in the future, he wouldn't know how to explain it to her.

"I understand."

Su Ying nodded emphatically. She had also seen her princess's pale face, but she knew that with Young Master Lin around, her princess should not have suffered any loss.

Even so, Su Ying was still furious. She dragged Cai Duan on the ground, ignoring the bloody scratches that Cai Duan's face made as it rubbed against the stones.

"Thank you, Young Master Lin."

At this moment, Murong Xin, still in shock, finally came to her senses and saw Lin Chen standing to the side. A tear rolled down her pretty face.

"Fifth Sister, there's no need to be so polite. Given my relationship with your sister, how could I stand idly by and do nothing?"

Upon hearing Lin Chen's answer, Murong Xin smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Did Young Master Lin see Sixth Sister in the Yan Dynasty?"

"Your younger sister went to the Yan Dynasty?"

Lin Chen was surprised. Before he left Canglan Island, Murong Yan had told him that she would also go to Yanhuang Dynasty. However, he originally thought that Murong Yan should wait for a while before going to Yanhuang Dynasty.

"Not long after Young Master Lin left, Sixth Sister also went to the Yan Dynasty, to the main family of my Murong family in the Lihun Domain. Not long ago, Sixth Sister sent back news that the main family's situation in the Yan Dynasty was not good either. However, this has nothing to do with our Murong family. Our Murong family is just a branch of the main family, and it has been separated for thousands of years. The main family doesn't care much about us."

"Sixth Sister said in her letter that she would find a chance to leave the Yan family. I thought she had gone to Canglan Domain to find you, Young Master Lin."

Upon hearing Murong Xin's words, Lin Chen's face showed a thoughtful expression. Based on his understanding of Murong Yan, it was very likely that Murong Yan would go to Canglan Domain to find him, and this woman would definitely not send him a message in advance, which was a surprise for him.

In Murong Yan's own words: Be a charming and sophisticated woman!

Murong Xin had been observing Lin Chen's expression. When she saw the corners of Lin Chen's mouth turn up slightly, she knew that Lin Chen must be thinking about something related to Sixth Sister.

Indeed, Sixth Sister is superior to me in both intelligence and appearance, and only Sixth Sister is worthy of Lin Chen.

It was nothing more than a one-sided, unrequited love on my part.

(End of this chapter)