Chapter 186: Marriage Contract
"Princess."
This beautiful young woman was none other than the current imperial princess, Duan Wuyu's younger sister, Duan Xinye.
Not only was she beautiful, but she also held a prominent status. More importantly, Duan Xinye currently had no one she favored, which naturally made countless noble sons in the imperial city covet her. If they could win her hand, how wonderful would that be? Their status would become even more illustrious, and they would have more say within their own families.
After all, many of them were born into large families with numerous brothers, making power struggles inevitable.
Duan Xinye walked straight forward, arrived at the main seat, and sat down quietly.
Duan Wuyu also sat down beside her and said with a smile, "Xinye, you've met most of the people here. Let me introduce someone to you."
With that, Duan Wuyu pointed at Lin Feng and said, "Lin Feng, a disciple of the Heavenly One Academy. He has extraordinary talent and, at a young age, possesses the strength to defeat Nie Yan."
Duan Xinye raised her head and glanced indifferently at Lin Feng. However, when she saw his tattered clothes, she couldn't help but pause for a moment.
Among the young men in this pavilion, every single one was of distinguished status, handsome and extraordinary, dressed impeccably. Yet Lin Feng's clothes were even torn, making it hard not to notice him.
But soon, Duan Xinye averted her gaze and did not look at Lin Feng again.
"Xinye, look, many of the talented young men of the imperial city are here. Drink a cup of Longing Wine and see if any catch your fancy."
Duan Wuyu said with a smile. Duan Xinye raised her head and glanced at him, shaking her head as she said, "Second Brother, what are you talking about?"
"Haha, Xinye, I prepared this gathering specifically for you."
Duan Wuyu laughed heartily. Duan Xinye lowered her head and remained silent. She had yet to meet anyone who could move her heart.
At that moment, Yue Tianchen stood up, raised his wine glass, and extended it forward, saying, "Xinye, it's been many days. Are you well?"
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Tianchen. I am well." Duan Xinye was clearly acquainted with Yue Tianchen, but her expression remained indifferent. She raised her glass and took a small sip of the Longing Wine.
"If you are well, then I am at ease." Yue Tianchen nodded gently and said, "A while ago, Grandfather was asking about the matter between you and me, hoping that I could fulfill his wish soon and carry out the marriage contract."
As Yue Tianchen's words fell, many people turned their gazes toward him, a hint of jealousy in their eyes. Compared to them, Yue Tianchen's birth gave him a greater advantage.
Although the Yue Clan had always acted with restraint, no one had ever dared to underestimate them. Many of them understood that if one were to carefully categorize the families, among the three great clans, the imperial Duan Clan and the Yue Clan were truly on the same level. They both shared a terrifying commonality—a commonality that the Yu Clan of the imperial city did not possess.
When Duan Wuyu heard Yue Tianchen mention the words "marriage contract," he cast a deep look at him. In the depths of his eyes, a sharp glint flashed.
"Brother Yue, that marriage contract doesn't seem to be between Xinye and you, does it?" Duan Wuyu said with a faint smile.
"Your Highness, forgive my bluntness. Grandfather has no sons, only an aunt as his daughter. As for the hidden matters of my Yue Clan, Your Highness should know them better than others. Although I am not Grandfather's direct descendant, the current Yue Clan regards me, Yue Tianchen, as a direct descendant. Naturally, that marriage contract with Xinye should fall on me."
Yue Tianchen looked at Duan Wuyu and spoke frankly, which caught Duan Wuyu slightly off guard. It seemed that Yue Tianchen was getting a bit anxious, bringing up such matters in public.
"Perhaps the Yue Clan has a direct descendant now." A meaningful look flashed in Duan Wuyu's eyes as he looked at Yue Tianchen.
"Impossible. Such a situation cannot happen. Your Highness should understand this better than I do."
Yue Tianchen said with certainty. Duan Wuyu smiled without speaking and said, "In any case, until this matter is settled, Xinye's marriage contract naturally doesn't count. She can choose whoever she likes."
"Come, Brother Yue, let's drink."
Duan Wuyu changed the subject, raised his glass, and smiled.
Yue Tianchen had no choice. He knew this matter couldn't be rushed, so he drank a toast with Duan Wuyu.
Duan Xinye, a member of the imperial Duan Clan's bloodline, had inherited the bloodline power and possessed a bloodline martial soul. Whoever married her would have children who could also inherit the bloodline power and obtain a bloodline martial soul.
Even the man who was with her could gain great benefits.
With such conditions, how could this woman not make the talented young men of the imperial city flock to her, their hearts racing?
Unfortunately, the falling flowers had feelings, but the flowing water was heartless. Princess Duan Xinye had always been indifferent to this matter, showing no intention of finding a lover, and no one had ever heard of her favoring anyone.
As the imperial princess, Duan Xinye had seen too many outstanding young men. Take her two elder brothers, Duan Wudao and Duan Wuyu, for example. Crown Prince Duan Wudao had peerless talent and was domineering and ruthless, while the Second Prince was also exceptionally gifted, gentle, and considerate. It was hard for anyone to compare to them. For an ordinary person to move Duan Xinye's heart was clearly unlikely.
Lin Feng sat quietly, drinking his wine. He still didn't understand why Duan Wuyu had invited him to this gathering. However, during the banquet, Duan Wuyu had cast several meaningful glances at him, though Lin Feng didn't know what they meant.
"There are beautiful sights here and beautiful women, but it seems something is missing." At that moment, a voice rang out. The crowd turned their gazes and landed on a person beside Meng Chong.
"Brother Feng, what do you mean..."
Meng Chong let out a low laugh and asked.
"We talented young men are gathered here. Why not use martial arts to liven things up and let Her Highness the Princess enjoy a little show?" the man replied.
As his words fell, many people showed interested expressions. Martial arts were always the theme of the martial continent. Showing off one's strength in front of the princess was indeed a good idea.
"How should we liven things up?" someone else asked. The young man surnamed Feng continued, "Of course, through battle. We can choose our opponents and have a sparring match."
"Great idea. Brother Feng's strength is extraordinary; I admit I'm no match for you. I wonder who Brother Feng wants to spar with to entertain Her Highness the Princess." Meng Chong said with a smile. Then, Lin Feng, who was drinking with his head down, clearly felt a gaze land on him. The owner of that gaze was none other than the young man surnamed Feng.
Seeing this, many people turned their eyes to Lin Feng. It seemed the show was about to begin.
"I heard from His Highness the Crown Prince that Brother Lin has the strength to defeat Black Demon. I, Feng Xiao, would like to seek your guidance. Please, Brother Lin, offer me some pointers."
When Lin Feng heard Feng Xiao's words, he raised his head and glanced at Feng Xiao and Meng Chong. Seeing the smile in Meng Chong's eyes, Lin Feng sneered inwardly.
"I concede." Lin Feng replied indifferently, then lowered his head again without looking at Feng Xiao. He, Lin Feng, cultivated martial arts, not to entertain others or curry favor with women.
The crowd's gazes froze. They hadn't expected Lin Feng to concede so readily, and they couldn't help but show contempt. It seemed this guy was just a fraud. The Second Prince had only exaggerated his abilities. Otherwise, how could he not even have the courage to accept Feng Xiao's challenge? He even conceded, losing face.
Duan Xinye glanced at Lin Feng, a hint of surprise in her eyes. A martial artist's desire for victory was very strong. Conceding so easily was not the behavior of someone pursuing the martial path.
"Heh, Lin Feng, today the Crown Prince and the Princess are both here. Brother Feng invited you for a spar, and you refuse so directly. That doesn't seem appropriate, does it?" Meng Chong said with a sinister smile, staring at Lin Feng.
"Are you saying that here, whoever is called out for a spar must agree?" Lin Feng looked at Meng Chong and asked.
"To entertain Her Highness the Princess is our honor. Naturally, it should be so." Meng Chong replied.
"Fine." Lin Feng nodded slightly and looked at Meng Chong. "Then now, I challenge you to a spar to entertain the Princess. How about it?"
"You..." Meng Chong's gaze froze, a cold light flashing. Even if Lin Feng's strength wasn't as good as Black Demon's, it was definitely stronger than his. Seeing the mocking look in Lin Feng's eyes, if he agreed to spar with Lin Feng, he would probably not fare well.
"What's the matter? Didn't you just say that entertaining the Princess was your honor? Why aren't you saying anything now?" Lin Feng looked at Meng Chong's frozen eyes and pressed on, causing Meng Chong's expression to gradually darken.
Lin Feng paid no attention to his gaze. His own expression also turned slightly cold as he said icily, "If you can't do it, then stop spewing foul air in the future."