The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

The main hall of the Chen residence wasn't packed with guests, but their quality was high, encompassing nearly all the noble and powerful families of Beijing. They sat in ones or twos at long tables where the dishes were few but exquisitely prepared.

When Guo Lingtong led Chen Rui and Xiao Yu into the main hall, the bustling room fell silent in an instant—a show of respect for the Chen Family.

Guo Lingtong held Chen Rui's hand and walked before the crowd, announcing loudly, "This is the legitimate heir of my Chen Family, Chen Rui. After training for ten years at the Xuanwu Sect, he has completed his apprenticeship and returned home today. I hope you will all look after him in the future!"

"Of course, of course!"

"Does Young Master Chen even need our help? In the future, we'll probably be the ones relying on him!"

"Young Master Chen looks so dashing and talented. If I may ask the Lady of the Chen Family, is he betrothed?"

The guests showered them with a wave of flattery.

Although every noble family in Beijing had sent someone to the banquet, they were not the key figures of their respective clans. Guo Lingtong held this birthday feast every year, and the major players had grown tired of attending, so they sent other family members instead. While Guo Lingtong could fully represent the Chen Family, these representatives could not. The disparity in their status and authority made them exceedingly deferential to Guo Lingtong.

However, another powerful family in Beijing had sent key figures today: Zhao Wenxuan and Zhao Hongyu of the Zhao Family.

The two were currently seated at the head table. They were aware that the Chen Family was interested in a marriage alliance with the Zhao Family. Under pressure from their Patriarch, they had no choice but to come and see for themselves. Though they were only here to show the Chen Family respect, it also gave them the opportunity to refuse if the Chens formally proposed the arrangement.

After basking in the flattery and praise with Chen Rui, Guo Lingtong returned to the host's seat.

Soon, song and dance performances began in the center of the hall. Guo Lingtong prompted Chen Rui to look at Zhao Hongyu and asked quietly, "Rui'er, what do you think?"

Chen Rui glanced over and found he couldn't look away. Blushing slightly, he nodded. 'If I could have a wife like her,' he thought, 'I would be incredibly happy, even if it's an arranged marriage.'

Moreover, he felt that Zhao Hongyu was also interested in him, as she kept staring at him intently.

In reality, he had no idea that Zhao Hongyu was only looking at him because she thought he bore a striking resemblance to Chen Dong. She had merely taken a second look.

As the guests watched the entertainment, drinking and chatting merrily, Guo Lingtong rose and walked over to Zhao Wenxuan's table. 'If this marriage alliance succeeds, it will be a great boon for the Chen Family. Besides, it seems there's a problem with the Zhao Family's line of succession. Perhaps in the future, the Chen and Zhao families can become one.'

Brimming with confidence, Guo Lingtong began, "Second Master Zhao, you've seen my Rui'er. His looks and demeanor are impeccable. More importantly, he is only twenty-two and has already reached the Tiangang realm. If he weren't needed to inherit the Chen Family's legacy, the Xuanwu Sect would never have let him go."

Chen Rui's martial talent was Guo Lingtong's trump card. 'No noble family could possibly refuse a son-in-law who is a Tiangang expert,' she believed.

Zhao Wenxuan and Zhao Hongyu were stunned. The words of refusal died on Zhao Wenxuan's lips. A twenty-two-year-old in the Tiangang realm was far beyond his expectations. Such talent was exceedingly rare, even in Beijing.

Zhao Hongyu was now a Grandmaster, but she had been training for a very short time. Only after starting her cultivation did she realize how difficult it was, so she understood the significance of reaching the Tiangang realm at twenty-two. 'Even with the help of my companion Hongyu,' she thought, 'it would be impossible for me to break through to the Tiangang realm in a short time.'

If Chen Dong were here and knew her thoughts, he would surely scold her for being short-sighted. Her potential was far too great to be limited by the Tiangang realm.

"I will return to the family to discuss this before making a decision," Zhao Wenxuan said. Although he wanted to refuse outright, the current state of the Zhao Family forced him to reconsider. The Zhao Family was facing a succession crisis; they had no heir. If they had a son-in-law at the Tiangang level, their future would be much easier.

"Second Master Zhao, there is no need for discussion. My heart already belongs to another. This marriage alliance is off," Zhao Hongyu said resolutely.

With his Tiangang-level cultivation, Chen Rui naturally heard everything clearly. He couldn't believe that Zhao Hongyu, with whom he thought he'd just shared a meaningful glance, would reject him so bluntly. 'Could the look she gave me just now have been fake?'

The sandalwood chopsticks in his hand instantly snapped under the force of his True Qi.

Beside him, Xiao Yu giggled. "Ooh, Senior Brother is getting angry after being rejected!"

Guo Lingtong could hardly believe her ears. She thought that revealing Chen Rui's cultivation level would make everything fall into place, but the negotiations had completely collapsed. A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she sneered, "Originally, had the Zhao Family agreed, you would have married my Rui'er as his wife. But now you've rejected him to his face, leaving my Chen Family with no way to save face. You know, the Liu Family has been inviting my Chen Family to form an alliance for quite some time. I haven't accepted yet, but now I think it's time I did."

The Liu Family was one of the noble houses not in attendance today. At the mention of their name, the expressions of Zhao Wenxuan and Zhao Hongyu changed instantly. The Liu and Zhao families were mortal enemies, and it was highly probable that the Zhao Family's current crisis was the Liu Family's doing. If the Liu and Chen families were to ally, the Zhao Family's situation would become dire.

Guo Lingtong continued, "Little girl, you can still consider marrying my Rui'er as a hidden concubine. If you do, my Chen Family will refuse the Liu Family's alliance. Otherwise, you might not even get the chance to be a hidden concubine later!"

Zhao Wenxuan gritted his teeth, the blatant threat laid bare on the table. "Guo Lingtong, what is the meaning of this!" he demanded coldly.

"It means nothing special," Guo Lingtong said, her true intentions finally revealed. "I don't mind telling you, the Liu Family has already united with three other families. If your Zhao Family is willing to submit to my Chen Family, we will step in and protect you!"

Her plan from the very beginning had been to swallow the Zhao Family whole. With the combined power of her Guo Family and the Chen Family, she had the strength to snatch this prize from the tiger's maw that was the Liu Family. The initial pleasantries were merely a performance she enjoyed.

Just then, a figure walked into the hall and said nonchalantly, "Aunt Guo, why are you pressuring a young lady like this?"