Douluo Continent: Dark Demon God Biao, inheriting the position of an evil god

As an emperor who controlled the overall situation, Xu Jiawei naturally understood the importance of timing.

Especially the timing of proposing a marriage alliance.

After another round of toasts, he put down his glass, a kind and gentle smile on his face like that of an elder. His gaze swept over Dai Yuntian and Xu Jiujiu, finally settling on Zhu Yun'er, as if he were brewing something.

Zhu Yun'er understood immediately, knowing that the main event was about to begin, but her smile remained unchanged.

Xu Jiawei cleared his throat, his voice gentle yet clear enough for everyone in the hall to hear: "Today's family banquet has been a great success, and I am very pleased to see so many talented young people, especially my nephew Yun Tian. His talent, temperament, and knowledge are all top-notch. It is a blessing for Xingluo and for the soul master community of the continent."

Yes, the opening remarks were very official, but they were full of foreshadowing.

Dai Yuntian put down his chopsticks, pretended to listen, and remained calm.

Xu Jiawei changed the subject, his gaze becoming even more profound: "I understand that the future of the nation lies in its talents, as well as in its heritage and bonds. My Xu family and the Dai family have a deep-rooted relationship, have been on good terms for generations, and have jointly protected Xingluo. In the generation of my nephew Yuntian and Jiujiu, they are all outstanding individuals."

coming!

The room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop; even breathing became much softer.

Everyone's ears perked up.

Xu Jiawei's smile deepened, and he made the suggestion in a "taken-for-granted" tone: "I have observed that my nephew Yuntian and Jiujiu are of similar age and have comparable talents and appearances. Today, they met and had a very pleasant conversation, showing a mutual appreciation. Such a match made in heaven is truly rare."

He paused slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Dai Yuntian, then swept over Xu Jiujiu, who wore a polite smile but whose eyes were slightly lowered, before finally uttering that earth-shattering statement:
"I have the intention to strengthen our kinship by betrothing my most beloved younger sister, Princess Jiujiu, to my nephew Yuntian. Firstly, this will fulfill a beautiful love story, and secondly, it will ensure that the friendship between our two families lasts for generations, together preserving the prosperous era of Xingluo!"

“I know that the Zhu family and Yun Tianding have a marriage agreement, and I can mediate and resolve the matter there.”

"What do you think, my dear nephew? What do you think, Duchess?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Although there had been speculation, the fact that the emperor himself proposed the marriage in such a formal setting still carried immense weight.

This is an olive branch from the royal family, but also an invisible shackle.

Countless gazes instantly focused on Dai Yuntian, some filled with envy, some with jealousy, some with scrutiny, some with anticipation, and even more so with the nervous look in Zhu Lu's eyes.

She kept her eyes downcast for a long time, as if none of this concerned her. Only her slightly trembling eyelashes betrayed her unsettled state of mind.

Zhu Yun'er's smile remained unchanged. Just as she was about to speak to negotiate, she saw Dai Yuntian gently press down on the back of his mother's hand, signaling him to handle the situation himself.

Under everyone's gaze, Dai Yuntian slowly stood up.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, and even when facing an emperor and all eyes in the hall, his expression remained calm and composed.

He didn't look at Xu Jiawei or Xu Jiujiu. Instead, he turned to the side and gave Zhu Lu, who was pale beside him, an extremely gentle and reassuring smile, and gestured to her with his eyes that she should rest assured.

Then, he turned around, faced Xu Jiawei who was sitting in the main seat, and bowed slightly.

The manners were impeccable and impeccable.

Straightening up, Dai Yuntian raised his head, his gaze clear and composed, calmly meeting Xu Jiawei's oppressive stare.

His voice resounded clearly in every corner of the silent hall:
“Your Majesty, Princess Zhu Lu is exceptionally beautiful and talented, but marriage is no child’s play. My sister Zhu Lu and I have been engaged for a long time, and she will definitely be the future wife of the Duke’s family.”

"Therefore, if Your Highness were to be involved in a marriage alliance, how would you conduct yourself? I'm sorry, but I cannot comply."

This statement is already quite clear.

They've already made it clear that they refused.

At that moment, everyone was stunned, including the cunning and calculating worshippers.

They considered that Dai Yuntian might politely decline, make excuses, or even impose harsh conditions...

But I never expected him to refuse so decisively and so mercilessly!
They didn't even give us a chance to negotiate.

This was tantamount to a slap in the face, especially to Emperor Xu Jiawei and Princess Jiujiu!

His eyes, which had been lowered for a long time, suddenly lifted up.

She stared intently at Dai Yuntian, her once cool and beautiful face gradually losing color and turning pale. Beneath her meticulously applied eye makeup, her beautiful eyes, which always carried wisdom and composure, were now filled with disbelief, shock, and a surge of immense embarrassment and...grievance.

She had expected to be rejected, but she hadn't anticipated it in this way, in this setting, so directly, so thoroughly! "Dai Yuntian!"

After a long pause, his voice trembled slightly, and he suddenly stood up.

Her eyes reddened almost instantly, tears welling up, but she held them back tightly, refusing to let them fall.

She looked at Dai Yuntian, her voice rising, filled with the pride of a princess, but also mixed with anger and resentment at being rejected in public:

"What is it about me that I'm not good enough for you? Did you have to... did you have to reject me so ruthlessly right there and then?!"

There are clearly many ways to do this!
You can agree first, and then talk about it privately. You can be more tactful. You don't have to do it this way!
How dare you make us... how dare you leave our royal family's reputation?!
She was furious and extremely embarrassed.

From childhood to adulthood, she had always been a princess doted on by everyone. She had never been rejected so bluntly and without any room for negotiation.

Dai Yuntian finally turned his gaze to her, his eyes still calm, even with a hint of apology, but that apology was polite rather than emotional.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with being worthy or unworthy, nor with the face of the royal family. Marriage is about mutual affection and keeping promises, and you are not the one my heart belongs to."

Zhu Lu treated me with sincerity, and I should repay her with sincerity in return. The position of my principal wife belongs to her alone. If I have offended you, please forgive me, Your Highness.

"It is not what my heart desires"...

These five words were like a knife piercing Xu Jiujiu's heart.

All the pride, all the planning, all the grievances, seemed to become a joke at this moment.

Respect? Honesty? What a fine word, "respect"!
What honesty!
This was far more embarrassing for her than any insincere perfunctory response!

"You... are good, very good!"

She bit her lower lip tightly, trying her best to hold back her tears.

"Your Majesty, I am feeling unwell and must take my leave now!"

Before she finished speaking, she turned around abruptly, disregarding etiquette, lifted her skirt, and under the complicated gazes of everyone, she ran out of the main hall without looking back.

"For a long time!"

The Empress exclaimed in surprise and tried to get up to chase after him, but Xu Jiawei stopped her with a look.

Inside the main hall, the atmosphere plummeted to freezing point.

The smile on Xu Jiawei's face had vanished, replaced by a suppressed gloom.

His hands, resting on the armrests of the dragon throne, were clenched into fists.

This is a blatant slap in the face!
Xu Jiawei, the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, personally proposed marriage, only to be rejected without hesitation by a twelve-year-old boy in his own palace, in front of so many people!
Even his sister, the most beloved princess, was driven away by anger!

How can I swallow this insult?
Anger surged within him, but Xu Jiawei was, after all, the emperor, a man of great composure. He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his rage.

Anger? A complete falling out on the spot? Questioning the Dai family? And then what?
Dai Yuntian's value is immense. The potential of three 100,000-year spirit rings, the terrifying sect behind him (Shrek Academy is just the visible one), and the Dai family's influence in the military... Turning against him now would be too costly and pointless, only pushing the Dai family to the opposite side completely.

Don't let the small lose the big.

In a flash, Xu Jiawei had made his decision. He forced a slightly stiff smile back onto his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes:

"Hehe... Young people are straightforward and loyal, which is a good thing, a good thing."

He chuckled twice, trying to ease the tension: "Since my nephew Yuntian has someone he loves, I cannot do the thing of breaking up a loving couple. This matter... let's just drop it and not mention it again."

He waved his hand, as if the embarrassing "proposal and rejection" scene had never happened.

After this incident, the banquet could not proceed.

Before long, one by one, the royal family members present made excuses to leave.

After all, who would dare to offend the emperor at this time?

Perhaps they're tired of their own monotonous life.

They didn't have Dai Yuntian's confidence. (End of Chapter)