Chapter 392 A Sister Only Feels for Her Brother
“Junior Brother Shi, since the lady has invited you, we won’t disturb.”
One of the heirs spoke first when he saw the newcomer.
“Forgive my poor hospitality, honored guests.”
Shi Xuan offered polite words.
The heir exchanged glances with the other princes’ disciples, then withdrew.
Once they were gone, Shi Xuan fixed his eyes on Zhao Zhiruo, his expression cold. “What business do you have with me?”
Zhao Zhiruo’s face turned pitiful, her tone filled with grievance. “Brother Xuan, I am soon to become your wife. Can you not treat me with some kindness?”
Shi Xuan’s lips lifted slightly. “Wife? Are you truly willing to marry me?”
At these words, Zhao Zhiruo’s eyes flashed with surprise. She spoke softly, “Brother Xuan, how can you think that way of your sister? Zhiruo is sincerely willing to marry you, unlike those other sisters who, even before your eyes, flirt with other men.”
As she spoke, her gaze swept deliberately toward a corner.
Shi Xuan followed her eyes and saw three beauties of varying ages surrounding a handsome young man, drinking and laughing together.
Zhao Zhiruo watched his expression closely. To her surprise, Shi Xuan showed no anger at all, only a faint, unreadable smile.
“Brother Xuan, there are others as well.”
She pointed tentatively to another corner of the banquet.
Shi Xuan said, “You are doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
???
Zhao Zhiruo was stunned. This Shi Xuan was unlike the rumors. Wasn’t he supposed to be obsessed with face, moody and unpredictable? How could he, upon seeing his fiancées with other men, not be enraged, but instead question whether she was intentional?
“No, absolutely not. Little sister only feels for her brother.”
Shi Xuan chuckled. “You are quite the clever girl. But this prince has seen every kind of woman. Best you put away your shallow tricks, and do not bring trouble to me.”
“Zhiruo wishes only to marry Your Highness. She will never bring you trouble.”
She was no fool. From his single remark, she already understood the meaning beneath.
“Oh? Are you certain that on the day of your marriage, your former fiancé will not come knocking?”
Shi Xuan asked with amusement.
Thud.
Zhao Zhiruo fell to her knees before him, hurriedly explaining, “Your Highness, Zhiruo has nothing to do with that man. I already broke the betrothal.”
Shi Xuan casually helped her up. “Enough. I will not pursue the matter’s roots. Everything will be decided on the day of the engagement feast. You may withdraw for now.”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, Zhao Zhiruo finally relaxed, the weight in her heart lifted. She had only wanted to leave a good impression on him before the feast. Even if rumors said this prince was neglected at Wendao Academy and might one day fall, the Shi family, though in decline, was still far beyond her Jinchuan Kingdom.
After she departed, Shi Xuan turned his gaze toward the other fiancées present.
They had not disappointed him. Right under his eyes, they flirted with other men, showing clearly they did not regard him at all.
What tricks will you play next?
Will it be fleeing the marriage?
Or was it a marriage raid?
That would truly be something to anticipate.
Every movement of Shi Xuan was closely watched by the Northern Abyss royals.
“Chengjie, is Shi Xuan blind? Can he not see his fiancées flirting with other men?”
Xu Chengjie, the leader among the royals this time, had crossed paths with Shi Xuan many times before. He knew Shi Xuan’s temperament well—arrogant, quick to anger, and intolerant of even the smallest slight.
Now, seeing him turn a blind eye, what exactly was Shi Xuan planning?
Xu Chengjie shook his head. “I cannot see it either. I don’t know what Shi Xuan intends.”
“Shall we add fuel to the fire?”
A princess spoke with a sly smile.
They had not come to Shi Xuan’s engagement merely to deliver gifts. More importantly, they hoped to see the Shi clan’s hidden dragon lose his fortune—or better yet, perish.
The Shi clan had already produced one Saint. The Northern Abyss Holy Dynasty would never allow a second. Any sign of another Saint appearing in the Shi family would be crushed in the cradle by the Great Abyss Holy Dynasty.
Xu Chengjie smiled. “Wanshun, you little girl are full of tricks. Let us do as you say. I, too, wish to see just how much patience this hidden dragon of the Shi clan possesses.”
A nearby heir said, “Do you think there is a chance Shi Xuan still has some trump card he has not revealed?”
“Hmph!”
Xu Wanshun sneered. “What card could he have? Do you really think Wendao Academy would intervene for him? A man who has spent three years there without a single achievement? Most likely the academy’s mighty ones have long since abandoned him.”
“Sister Wanshun, such bitterness. Do you still resent the time Shi Xuan refused your marriage proposal, leaving you humiliated?”
A beautiful young woman chimed in, her tone sharp with mockery.
“Wanling, if you cannot speak, then hold your tongue. Do not think I don’t know you once fancied Shi Xuan yourself. Now that you are not among his fiancées, you must feel sour as well.”
Xu Wanshun snapped back. What had been light-hearted among the royals suddenly turned sharp and hostile.
Xu Chengjie had not expected these two girls to quarrel at such a time. He wanted to scold them harshly, but in the end, he swallowed the words. Though he was the leader this time, he did not hold the kind of authority Shi Xuan had in the Shi family. Even if he rebuked them, it would make little difference.
He forced a smile. “Cousins, let us focus on the matter at hand.”
“Hmph.”
Xu Wanshun gave Xu Wanling a cold snort. “For Cousin Chengjie’s sake, I will not stoop to your level.”
Xu Wanling said nothing, only smiling sweetly at her, her manner in stark contrast.
The banquet lasted until nightfall before finally dispersing.
Shi Xuan did not linger. Accompanied by the guard captain, he left the Imperial Garden. Moments later, as he boarded his carriage, he froze and nearly fell to his knees instinctively.
Inside sat a figure who merely shook his head, motioning with his eyes for Shi Xuan to sit.
Shi Xuan nodded and respectfully seated himself beside the man. “Grandson greets Ancestor. Why has Ancestor appeared here today?”
This was one of the Shi clan’s Great Sages, who normally remained stationed in the ancestral temple.
To appear in this manner left Shi Xuan astonished.
“Those royals had a Great Sage shadowing them. I did not wish him to notice my movements, so I left the palace this way.”
The Shi Ancestor spoke calmly.
Shi Xuan was no fool. Hearing this, he immediately sensed something was amiss. Narrowing his eyes, he asked,
“Ancestor, you mean the situation we face is something the Northern Abyss Holy Dynasty is deliberately permitting—or even scheming behind?”
“Correct.”
The Ancestor’s tone grew heavy. “To act under our very eyes with so many tricks—who else but the Great Abyss Holy Dynasty?”
Shi Xuan said nothing, choosing silence. His face showed deep thought.
If the Great Abyss Holy Dynasty was truly involved, would that implicate his master as well?
The two remained silent as the carriage returned to the Changsun estate.
Before the Ancestor could step down, the sounds of uproar came from within the residence.
He instinctively turned his gaze to Shi Xuan. “Xuan’er, what is this?”
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