Song Xiufeng maintained an indifferent expression throughout, as if nothing around him could stir his emotions.
"Even if you're strong as an individual, do you really think you can overpower the entire Northern Wilderness?"
Song Xiufeng didn't get angry, his tone remained even.
The more he acted this way, the more oppressive he seemed, making it hard for Song Ningyan to breathe.
Sitting to the side, Chen Qingyuan watched the spectacle, beginning to understand Song Ningyan's plight and why her character was so cold and aloof, preferring not to mingle with others.
I'm glad my elders aren't so strict, just the thought of it gives me a headache.
Chen Qingyuan suddenly felt that his Senior Brothers and Sisters at the Mystic Azure Sect were too kind to him.
"I just want to give it a try, is that not allowed?"
Song Ningyan's voice trembled as she spoke.
"No, it's not."
Song Xiufeng said coldly.
"I am not only the daughter of the Song Family but also the disciple of Zhao Yichuan from the Academy. If you want to arrange a marriage with the Piaomiao Palace, the Song Family needs to discuss it with the Academy."
Song Ningyan had already obtained Zhao Yichuan's permission. If she really decided to go against the rules set by the Song Family for countless years, she had to be prepared to face all the difficulties.
At the critical moment, Song Ningyan could bring up the name of the Academy.
Since Zhao Yichuan had taken Song Ningyan as his disciple, he would definitely protect her with all his might. However, since this was an internal conflict within the Song Family, Zhao Yichuan couldn't intervene directly and could only have Chen Qingyuan accompany her.
Why have Chen Qingyuan accompany her?
Of course, it was because of the karma associated with Chen Qingyuan. With his company, Song Ningyan's safety could be somewhat shielded.
If some of the old fellows in the Song Family weren't blind, even if they couldn't deduce Chen Qingyuan's Mystic Azure background, they would know better than to create bad karma with him and would be somewhat restrained in their actions.
"You've been out for a few years and now you want to use the name of the Academy to pressure me? You've got guts!"
Song Xiufeng remained unmoved, his tone laced with a hint of mockery.
Song Ningyan's lips turned pale, unsure of how to handle the situation. If even the backing of the Academy couldn't suppress the situation, what else could she do?
"If the head of the Academy intervenes, your father won't say another word and will let you do as you wish." The vast Academy, the Song Family only feared one person: "Zhao Yichuan still has a long way to go before he can sit in the head's position. Right now, he's not capable of making the Song Family bow."
Hearing this, Song Ningyan's face turned deathly pale.
Song Xiufeng, who could sit firmly in the position of the family head and deal with the top forces of the Northern Wilderness, was far superior to Song Ningyan in both tactics and temperament. With just a glance, he saw through Song Ningyan's little schemes and manipulated her at will.
Although Song Xiufeng said those words, he definitely didn't think that way in his heart.
That was Zhao Yichuan, whose strength was so formidable that even more than half of the old fellows in the Song Family were far inferior to him. Given some more time, Zhao Yichuan was bound to become the head of the Academy.
Offend the future head of the Academy? Song Xiufeng wasn't foolish enough to do that.
His previous remarks were just to throw Song Ningyan into disarray and make her obediently follow the family's arrangements.
If Zhao Yichuan were really standing here, Song Xiufeng wouldn't dare to say such words to his face, and the Song Family would have a hard time finding peace. With Zhao Yichuan's temperament, he wouldn't stop until he had given the older generation of the Song Family a good beating.
"Girl, you can't win against your father."
The clan elders, wise as mirrors, thought to themselves, knowing that Song Xiufeng was just bluffing.
Not taking Zhao Yichuan seriously? What a joke. If they really didn't care about Zhao Yichuan, the Song Family would have gone to the Academy to capture him long ago.
Chen Qingyuan, an outsider, could see that Song Ningyan was in a state of extreme tension, probably because the seeds of fear rooted in her soul from childhood were beginning to sprout, leaving her at a loss.
"Cough." Chen Qingyuan coughed softly, breaking the heavy atmosphere in the hall.
"Does Young Master Chen have something to say?"
Song Xiufeng glanced at Chen Qingyuan, and an invisible pressure followed.
Although Chen Qingyuan didn't have much affection for Song Ningyan, his Master, Yu Chenran, had instructed him to protect her as much as possible and not let her be bullied.
If it had been before, the Academy definitely wouldn't have interfered with the Song Family's internal affairs. But now that Song Ningyan was a disciple of the Academy, they couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
"It's nothing, I just had a sore throat." Chen Qingyuan met Song Xiufeng's gaze without fear, calm and composed: "I came to the Song Family to watch the excitement, and after everything is settled, I will return and report everything to the elders."
Is this kid threatening me?
Song Xiufeng's eyes narrowed slightly, catching the implication in Chen Qingyuan's words.
The clan elders all looked at him with surprise and admiration, impressed by Chen Qingyuan's courage.
"How does Young Master Chen intend to report to the elders of the Academy?" Song Xiufeng asked without changing his expression.
"Truthfully." Chen Qingyuan said.
Whatever happened, that's what he would report.
At that moment, Song Xiufeng's mood became heavy.
If Chen Qingyuan really relayed their conversation back to the Academy, Zhao Yichuan's reputation would be slightly damaged, and that would be a legitimate cause for action. Then, if Zhao Yichuan decided to sit at the Song Family's doorstep, things would get even more lively.
Looking at the entire Song Family, there were fewer than three old fellows who could suppress Zhao Yichuan.
And that did not include the current family head, Song Xiufeng.
If Song Xiufeng were to compete with Zhao Yichuan, he would undoubtedly lose.
"Is Young Master Chen not afraid of offending the Song Family?" Song Xiufeng's words carried a hint of threat.
"Not afraid." Chen Qingyuan's lips curled slightly: "I'm just going to tell the elders of the Academy exactly what happened. That's my mission here. If the Song Family wants to deal with me, please do as you wish!"
A newborn calf is not afraid of tigers.
Although everyone wanted to teach Chen Qingyuan a lesson, they didn't dare to act. If they dared to oppress Chen Qingyuan today, Yu Chenran would dare to level the Song Family to the ground tomorrow.
Don't doubt the strength of the Academy's Vice Dean; that would bring big trouble.
What a headache!
After pondering for a moment, Song Xiufeng said softly, "Young Master Chen, please stay as a guest at the Song Family for now. After the Song Family and Piaomiao Palace have completed their marriage alliance, you can return to the Academy to report."
The alliance between the two families was a union of strengths, and Song Xiufeng didn't want to give it up.
After this matter was settled, Song Xiufeng decided to personally visit the Academy to apologize and give the Academy due respect. As for now, Chen Qingyuan would have to be inconvenienced.
In other words, Chen Qingyuan was to be placed under house arrest, his surrounding space sealed off, preventing him from using two-world sound transmission talismans or other means to communicate.
"Alright, then I'll shamelessly enjoy the wedding feast."
Chen Qingyuan understood his situation and showed no concern, his face full of smiles.
"Of course, you may."
Song Xiufeng smiled slightly.
"Junior Sister, actually, the marriage alliance between the two families is a good thing. Why don't you just agree to it?"
Chen Qingyuan looked at Song Ningyan and teased.
"Who are you calling Junior Sister?"
Song Ningyan slowly turned her head to meet Chen Qingyuan's gaze.
"I entered the sect before you, so naturally, you are my Junior Sister."
Technically, that was indeed the case.
"Hmph! I don't acknowledge it."
Song Ningyan argued with Chen Qingyuan, and the pressure in her heart lessened a lot.
"If you don't acknowledge it, then forget it. I actually had a nice item for you. But since you don't consider me your Senior Brother, there's no need to give it to you."
Chen Qingyuan pretended to be mysterious.
"An item?" Song Ningyan frowned.
The people of the Song Family also became curious, feeling that Chen Qingyuan was an unpredictable factor not to be underestimated.
"When I came here, Elder Zhao gave me something and entrusted me with a message. If you can't resolve this matter, I'm supposed to take it out."
Zhao Yichuan was well aware that Chen Qingyuan was a cunning fellow. Having Chen Qingyuan assist would reduce a lot of trouble.
If the item were in Song Ningyan's hands, it might only make the situation more severe. After all, the Song Family was the head of the Ancient Clans in the Northern Wilderness and needed to save face; they couldn't just bow their heads easily.
But if the item was given to Chen Qingyuan, the situation could be quite different.
"Did Master really give you something?"
Song Ningyan seemed to have caught a lifeline, a glint of hope in her eyes.
"Why would I lie to you?"
Chen Qingyuan said.
"You…" Song Ningyan hesitated for a moment. It was just a title of Senior Brother, and it wouldn't cost her a piece of flesh. After thinking it through, Song Ningyan whispered to Chen Qingyuan, "Senior… Senior Brother, please take out the item!"
"That's more like it."
Chen Qingyuan smiled with satisfaction.
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, Chen Qingyuan took out the item from his Sumeru Ring.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas