A palm-sized black token.
The crowd paused for a moment, temporarily unable to discern what it was.
Song Ningyan was also puzzled, her eyes filled with confusion.
However, Song Xiufeng, who was seated at a higher position, couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up abruptly, his face changing dramatically as his pupils contracted.
Clearly, Song Xiufeng recognized what Chen Qingyuan was holding.
Zhao Yichuan's identity token, representing his personal will.
What shocked everyone the most was that this token was forged by the Academy's Dean, rumored to contain one of the Dean's life-bound attacks, making it extraordinarily significant.
"Zhao Yichuan actually brought this thing here, this…"
Song Xiufeng was dumbfounded, the previous look of control completely vanished, his expression rich and varied.
Some of the more knowledgeable core Elders seemed to have guessed the origin of the token, their faces changing drastically, a hint of horror flashing in their eyes.
"What's wrong with the Clan Leader? Could it be that this token has an extraordinary origin?"
Most of the Elders who were unaware of the situation noticed Clan Leader Song Xiufeng's unusual demeanor, secretly exchanging sound transmissions, looking utterly baffled.
After a while, Song Xiufeng closed his eyes briefly, forcibly suppressing the agitation in his heart.
Then, with a wary look in his eyes, he focused on Chen Qingyuan and pondered aloud, "Young Master Chen, do you understand what this token signifies?"
"Not very clear," Chen Qingyuan admitted truthfully. "Elder Zhao only left me with a few words, saying that if anyone bullies his disciple, I should present this token. He also said that as long as the Song Family isn't completely blind, they would surely be willing to sit down and negotiate properly."
Zhao Yichuan, you really don't give my Song Family any face!
Song Xiufeng took a deep breath, feeling a headache coming on.
Originally, Song Xiufeng planned to resolve the marriage alliance between the two families first, then personally visit the Academy to apologize. As the head of the Song Family, a personal apology would save face for the Academy, surely preventing the situation from escalating.
However, Song Xiufeng never expected that Zhao Yichuan would entrust his identity token, symbolizing his own will, to Chen Qingyuan to bring along.
Headache, such a headache!
Song Xiufeng found the situation particularly tricky to handle.
If the Song Family allowed Song Ningyan to act recklessly, it would not only damage the Song Family's reputation but also encourage other young members to follow suit. If that happened, wouldn't the entire Song Family be thrown into chaos?
This precedent could not be set.
Yet, if the Song Family didn't give face to Zhao Yichuan, the situation would also become very troublesome.
A dilemma indeed.
Not only was Song Xiufeng feeling irritable about this, but even those old fellows accustomed to great storms were also suffering from splitting headaches, unsure of what to do.
The Academy did not involve itself in the mundane affairs of the Northern Wilderness, holding a special status. Otherwise, with Zhao Yichuan doting on Song Ningyan so much, if she didn't make any mistakes in the future, she would surely be able to stand firm in the Academy without needing a marriage alliance.
"Elder Zhao entrusted the token to Young Master Chen, so how do you plan to handle the Song Family's domestic affairs?"
After much thought, Song Xiufeng pushed the problem onto Chen Qingyuan. When he said this, he deliberately emphasized the words "domestic affairs."
If Chen Qingyuan mishandled the situation, it would give the Song Family an excuse not to fear offending the Academy. Thus, the Song Family's face would remain intact, and they wouldn't have to invite trouble.
Truly a Clan Leader, regaining control and leaving the young Chen Qingyuan to take the blame.
A very few old fellows glanced at Song Xiufeng, their eyes shimmering with admiration.
"Actually, this matter is not difficult," said Chen Qingyuan, whose age was not even a fraction of any elder present, yet his cunning was on par with an old fox.
"Oh?" Song Xiufeng was intrigued, eager to see what Chen Qingyuan would say next: "I am all ears for Young Master Chen's wisdom."
"A marriage alliance between two families is a joyous occasion, and it's best if it can be achieved. However, whether it succeeds or not, we must consider the opinions of the parties involved. When Young Master Changsun Fengye arrives from the Sacred Ground in a few days, let him get to know my junior sister and spend some time alone together. If they develop feelings for each other, all will be well. If fate does not bring them together, we cannot force it."
Chen Qingyuan expressed his view.
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
From Chen Qingyuan's words, the Song Family could not find much fault.
It preserved the Song Family's face by allowing the two parties of the marriage alliance to interact, leaving it all to fate. It also did not diminish the dignity of the Academy, providing certain protection for Song Ningyan.
If Song Ningyan and Changsun Fengye took a liking to each other, it would benefit all parties involved. If the two were not destined to become Dao Companions, the Song Family would have an explanation and would not lose face.
"This Chen Qingyuan fellow, he's quite capable!" Song Xiufeng squinted his eyes, murmuring to himself.
Chen Qingyuan had once entered the Sky Abyss, but to the Song Family, that was insignificant. Everyone has secrets and their own fortunes. Moreover, the Song Family had even more secrets.
In a few days, when Changsun Fengye arrived, Song Ningyan could simply brush it off, saying she didn't like him. If the Song Family still tried to force Song Ningyan after that, they would be disrespecting the Academy.
With this move, Chen Qingyuan put the initiative in Song Ningyan's hands. As for the Song Family, if they didn't want to offend the Academy, they could only hope that Song Ningyan and Changsun Fengye were fated for each other.
When Chen Qingyuan first joined the sect, he thought of taking the opportunity to curry favor with Zhao Yichuan.
Later, Zhao Yichuan secretly investigated Chen Qingyuan's life and understood him very well, trusting him enough to hand over the identity token.
With Chen Qingyuan's capabilities, he would surely not suffer a loss and would handle the matter properly.
If Song Ningyan held the token, she would probably directly demand her freedom. For the sake of face and clan rules, the Song Family, even knowing they would make an enemy of the Academy, would have to grit their teeth and refuse.
No matter what, the Song Family was the leading Ancient Clan of the Northern Wilderness, and face was not to be taken lightly.
"What does the Song Family think?"
Chen Qingyuan noticed that Song Xiufeng had not spoken and asked.
"Let's follow what Young Master Chen has said; whether the marriage alliance is successful depends on the fate between the young people."
Song Xiufeng had never thought he would be outmaneuvered by a young man, and the feeling was quite uncomfortable, like having something stuck in his throat that he couldn't swallow or spit out.
"Clan Leader Song, your profound understanding is admirable," Chen Qingyuan said as he put away the token and bowed with his fist.
After a deep look at Chen Qingyuan, Song Xiufeng left with a flick of his sleeve.
An Elder arranged a guest room for Chen Qingyuan, not daring to neglect him.
Under everyone's gaze, Chen Qingyuan left the great hall and headed to the guest room.
"Did my father agree to this?"
Although Song Ningyan didn't understand the ways of the world, she could tell that the Song Family had compromised, feeling like it was all a dream.
"What else?" Chen Qingyuan gave Song Ningyan a look and chuckled: "In the world, if you don't have absolute strength, you must leave some face for both sides and not let things get too stiff. Junior Sister Song, if you weren't born into the Song Family, with your straightforward nature, you'd easily offend others."
"And you? Have you never offended anyone in your life?"
Song Ningyan was grateful to Chen Qingyuan, but that was a separate matter. She wasn't too fond of Chen Qingyuan's preaching and retorted.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas