"Young Master, this woman is too insolent. If the Prince learns of this, he will surely be enraged!" Steward Zhao said coldly.
"You cannot touch her!"
Bai Xi continued to shield Chu Ting, his expression serious.
With no other choice, Steward Zhao turned to the Chu Family Head. "The Young Master is of noble status, and no one dares to insult him like this. How does the Chu family intend to handle today's matter?"
"Please rest assured, sir. I will discipline her well!" the Chu Family Head said repeatedly. "I will not disappoint you!"
"That would be for the best!"
Steward Zhao said coldly, "Since she is someone the Young Master fancies, I will not pursue this with her. But if she dares to offend the Young Master again, the Eighth Prince's Manor is not to be trifled with!"
"Naturally, naturally!"
The Chu Family Head nodded quickly, his heart greatly unsettled. Offending the Eighth Prince's Manor, his Chu family might as well be tired of living.
"I have already secured the best accommodation at the Drunken Immortal Tower. Please, sir and Young Master, go there first. We shall host everyone at the Drunken Immortal Tower tonight!" the Chu Family Head said.
Steward Zhao nodded slightly and left with Bai Xi, feeling somewhat displeased with the day's events.
After Steward Zhao departed, the Chu Family Head went to Chu Ting's side and slapped her. "You dare to offend the Young Master? Do you know that if things go wrong, the entire Chu family will be buried with you!"
As he spoke, Chu Ting cried, "Did you already know that the Eighth Prince's Manor's Young Master is an imbecile!"
"If the Eighth Prince's Manor's Young Master were a normal person, how could the Chu family possibly ascend to such a position?" the Chu Family Head said coldly. "If you can't even see through this, when will you ever grow up!"
"I would rather not grow up than see through such things!"
Chu Ting sobbed and left the discussion hall. She had never imagined that the person she was to marry was an imbecile.
"Family Head, what should we do?"
The clan elders frowned, their expressions solemn. They had not expected things to turn out this way.
"We are hosting the Eighth Prince's Manor's people tonight. All you clan elders shall accompany me. As for this matter, we cannot let it slide!"
The Chu Family Head said coldly, "From ancient times, a parent's command is not to be defied!"
The clan elders exchanged glances, unsure of what to do. They could tell that the Chu Family Head was determined this time.
Chu Ting left the discussion hall, only to be bumped into by Long Yi and others. Seeing the scene before them, they didn't know how to react.
They had heard about what had just happened and could not believe that the Chu Family Head would marry Chu Ting to an imbecile just to climb the social ladder.
"The Chu family's handling of this is rather questionable!" Han Feng frowned. "Given Chu Ting's personality, she might prefer death to submission!"
"You know him well!"
Li Ziming said with a wry smile, then headed towards the Chu family's discussion hall. He wanted to ask the Chu family what they were thinking.
Upon reaching the discussion hall, Li Ziming clasped his hands. "I am the Young Master of the Li family. I pay my respects to all elders!"
"So it's Ziming!"
The Chu Family Head smiled. "Why be so polite? You have suddenly come to the discussion hall; may I ask the reason for your visit?"
"Uncle Chu, when the Chu and Li families set the marriage engagement, many people were witnesses. Does that no longer count?" Li Ziming asked directly.
"Chu Ting is unwilling, and I am helpless!"
The Chu Family Head smiled. "When you return, please offer my apologies to your father!"
"So, Uncle Chu is respecting Chu Ting's wishes by canceling this marriage?"
"That is natural!"
The Chu Family Head nodded. "I am quite reasonable. If not, it would not be so easy for me to find a husband for her so quickly!"
"Since that is the case, Chu Ting just told me that she is not interested in the Royal Young Master and hopes Uncle Chu will not make things difficult for her!" Li Ziming stated.
"Presumptuous! The Li family and the Chu family are on good terms, and I did not wish to speak harshly, but you are pushing your luck!"
The Chu Family Head said coldly, "What kind of existence is the Eighth Prince's Manor? How can your Li family compare!"
The expressions of the elders present changed. In Yunzhou, both the Chu and Li families were among the three great families. If they fell out, it would not be a good thing.
"Uncle Chu just said that no matter what, you would respect Chu Ting!" Li Ziming smiled. "I hope Uncle Chu will keep his word!"
"Do not think that just because you are the Li family's Young Master, I dare not act against you!"
The Chu Family Head said coldly, "Chu Ting's affairs are decided by me alone. Why would outsiders need to interfere!"
"I would not dare to disobey Uncle Chu's decision, but I hope Uncle Chu will think twice before acting!"
Li Ziming finished speaking and strode away, carrying an air of arrogance. He was extremely displeased with the Chu family's actions.
"You scoundrel, daring to lecture me!"
The Chu Family Head was furious and extremely dissatisfied. However, since Li Ziming was the Li family's Young Master, the Chu family could not act rashly.
"Family Head, are we still attending the banquet tonight?" one of the clan elders asked.
"Of course, we are!"
The Chu Family Head nodded. "We must not miss this opportunity!"
The clan elders nodded, not daring to voice any objections.
Leaving the discussion hall, Li Ziming went to the Chu family's backyard and indeed found Chu Ting squatting in the sea of flowers, weeping heartbrokenly.
"Come with me!"
Li Ziming said, "Marrying that imbecile will not bring you happiness!"
"The world is vast, yet all is earth. Where can I go?"
Chu Ting gave a bitter smile. "Perhaps this is fate!"
"No, you won't, as long as you want to leave!"
Li Ziming's expression was serious. "Leave the White Dragon Dynasty. The spiritual realm is vast; there is always a place to hide!"
"Are you willing to go with me?" Chu Ting asked.
"Of course!"
Li Ziming nodded. "I know you have no feelings for me, but I cannot stand by and watch you be imprisoned!"
"Alright, we'll leave tonight!"
Chu Ting nodded. She did not want to stay in the Chu family for another moment. She now understood that in the eyes of her family, she was merely a tool for their profit.
There was no meaning in staying in such a family any longer.
Meanwhile, at the Drunken Immortal Tower, the Chu Family Head sat to the side, personally pouring wine for Steward Zhao and the others. "Sir, I hope you will overlook today's matter!"
"I do not mind, as long as the Young Master does not!" Steward Zhao said indifferently.
"I do not mind, I naturally do not mind!"
Bai Xi nodded repeatedly, looking utterly foolish.
"Steward Zhao, this spiritual energy bead is a treasure of the Chu family. It can enhance cultivation and is a rare item!"
The Chu Family Head produced a bead. "I hope you will accept it!"
"You are too kind, Chu Family Head!"
Steward Zhao was quite satisfied. He had received many such items before and did not pay it much mind.
Seeing this, the Chu family elders felt a pang of pain. This was a treasure of the Chu family, and now it was being given away so easily.
Normally, the Chu Family Head was unwilling to even let them absorb a little spiritual energy. Now, he had given away the spiritual bead.
"We will be returning to the capital tomorrow. Please have Miss Chu make her preparations. Once she enters the Eighth Prince's Manor, your Chu family will also prosper!" Steward Zhao stated directly.