The Lord of Void and Real

Chapter 295: Chapter 291: Forced to Marry

In the drawing room of Shen Mansion, a middle-aged man with frosty temples and a raised brow, was sitting next to a table on the left. He rested one hand on the armrest of his chair and the other on the table next to him, appearing at ease.

Next to him was an imposing, burly man in a purple robe, who was looking around the room with a hint of mockery tugging at the corners of his mouth, seemingly finding the furnishings crude.

Across them sat Shen Yuange, maintaining a solemn demeanor but his gaze involuntarily kept drifting towards the main seat.

As the head of the Shen family, he wasn’t occupying the main seat as that position had been claimed by a white-haired old woman in crimson brocade.

As soon as the group had announced their identities upon entering the hall, the old woman took the main seat without uttering a word or giving Shen Yuange a single glance.

The stooped old woman with a purple walking stick of unknown material clutched in her hand, had neatly combed silver hair tied up into a bun behind her head. Her face was a lattice of wrinkles that made her look like a stern matron.

From the moment she sat down, her eyes remained closed, as if she had no intention to speak.

At this moment, the Second Madam personally brought in tea and entered the hall.

Until now, she was unaware of the true intentions behind the Nie family’s visit to Chunhua County, believing that they were here for the marriage alliance. Therefore, her face was filled with genuine warmth and cordiality.

After she had served everyone tea, she was about to speak but saw Shen Yuange sending her significant glances, whereupon she immediately sensed an uneasy atmosphere in the hall. Feeling rather disheartened, she took her place next to Shen Yuange.

“Brother Shen, I understand that our request might seem unconventional, but this childhood betrothal was arranged privately by the women of our families. Neither you nor my older brother, as the heads of our families, were involved in this agreement, so it can’t really be considered a proper marriage contract. If you are willing to cancel this betrothal, the Nie family is prepared to offer a thousand taels of gold as compensation for our mistake,” said the middle-aged man with the raised brow.

Upon hearing this, the Second Madam’s expression changed significantly, and she looked at Shen Yuange in surprise.

“I’m fully aware of your intentions. But this marriage was arranged by my late wife, and now Shen Luo and Cai Zhu are due to honor it. I can’t make the decision on their behalf. They should be the ones to decide,” said Shen Yuange gravely, not looking at her. After a moment’s hesitation, he responded.

“In our traditions, marriages are arranged by parents and matchmakers. Where’s the logic in letting them decide for themselves? Isn’t this just an excuse, Head of the Shen family?” The burly man challenged.

“Our marriage was arranged by our parents. What’s there to evade?” A clear voice suddenly echoed from outside the hall.

Everyone turned to look at the entrance.

Shen Luo and Nie Caizhu walked in together, making a fine-looking pair as they stepped in unison.

The stern old woman, who had been sitting in the main seat with her eyes closed, finally opened her eyes, the glint in them cold as she watched Shen Luo.

Shen Luo met her gaze without fear, a spark igniting where their eyes met.

“Luo’er, show some respect. Come, greet the elders,” Shen Yuange said, standing up.

Shen Luo withdrew his gaze, paid his respects to the elders and managed to maintain a calm expression.

The burly man and the middle-aged man nodded slightly at Shen Luo without uttering a word, while the old woman remained stoic, ignoring him.

“Cai Zhu pays her respects to Uncle Nie and Uncle Huo Kun,” Nie Caizhu pressed her lips together before speaking and respectfully greeted the two men.

“She is Granny Long from the Governor’s Mansion. Come, pay your respects,” the middle-aged man softened his expression and stood up.

Nie Caizhu then bowed to the old woman in the main seat.

“Nephew is indeed remarkable. Now that you’re back, let’s discuss this matter with you directly,” Nie Renbei initiated.

“Uncle Nie, I’ve heard about this matter from my cousin. The issue isn’t whether our Shen family is backing out of the marriage, but rather that Cai Zhu doesn’t like the governor’s son and doesn’t wish to be linked to him. Why are you insisting on this?” Shen Luo said. On the way in, he had learnt from Nie Caizhu that this man was her Uncle Nie Renbei, whose influence in the Nie family was significant and his opinions essentially echoed the family’s stand.

“Cai Zhu barely knows Young Master Ma, how can she judge his character? Moreover, marriages should be between equals. It would be a blessing for Cai Zhu to marry into the Governor’s Mansion. Why are you standing in her way?” Nie Renbei challenged, clearly displeased.

Shen Luo laughed scornfully. He could tell that what Nie Renbei was implying was that the Shen family was not of equal standing to the Nie family, and therefore, they should not aspire to such heights.

Before Shen Luo could say anything, a mocking laugh echoed from the main seat.

“The young miss of the Nie Family, Nie Caizhu, I wonder what kind of taste she has to pick this bumpkin from this backwater town over our Second Young Master?” The white-haired Granny Long suddenly struck the ground with her walking stick, and scoffed sarcastically.

As the walking stick hit the ground, the entire hall trembled.

“Oh!” The Second Madam gasped as she knocked over the teapot on the table.

She had already sensed the formidable presence of the three guests, and seeing a good situation turning bad, she was frightened.

“Indeed a cultivator…” Shen Luo took hold of Nie Caizhu’s wrist and stood firmly, grounded like Mount Tai, unaffected by the earlier tremors.

All the tremors were blocked by Shen Luo, so Nie Caizhu remained uninjured. But when his hand closed around hers, an inexplicable warmth enveloped her heart, and she couldn’t help but look at Shen Luo.

Granny Long narrowed her eyes as she looked at Shen Luo, a murderous intent creeping into her gaze.

Huo Kun, seeing this, voiced in a low tone to Nie Renbei,

“It seems that the information we received was correct. This young man is indeed a cultivator with a cultivation level not inferior to mine, at least at the middle stage of Qi refining. Considering his age, he’s doing quite well.”

Before coming here, they had indeed gathered a lot of information about Shen Luo and knew that he had joined the Spring and Autumn Pavilion. However, they knew nothing about what had happened to Shen Luo after the collapse of the pavilion.

“Nephew, I heard that your sect has been destroyed. Do you have any plans?” Nie Renbei paused slightly before asking.

“I have my own arrangements, so you need not be concerned,” Shen Luo responded promptly.

“Even though I don’t know much about cultivation, I know that without a mentor and guidance from a sect, it’s impossible to succeed. If you’re willing, I can use Nie family’s influence and even ask the governor to help you join an Immortal Sect within Yunzhou. What do you think of it?” Nie Renbei continued unperturbed.