Chapter 73: I Do Not Agree to This Marriage

The visitor was none other than Zhong Qizhen.

He entered the main hall with a warm smile, carrying a large box of gifts.

"Uncle Chen, Auntie."

Chen Yuqiu nodded slightly in satisfaction, looking at the dignified Zhong Qizhen.

Liu Qinmin, full of joy, said, "Husband, didn't I tell you Young Master Zhong was excellent? He's handsome, modest, and polite—clearly a true gentleman. And his family background, cultivation, and sect are all top-tier choices."

Zhong Qizhen feigned modesty. "Uncle and Auntie are too kind. May I ask which one is Sister Siling?"

Following Liu Qinmin's gaze, a beautiful young woman in a pink dress, wearing a pear blossom hairpin, with black hair cascading like a waterfall, caught his eye. Her delicate and lovely face, her supple, flawless skin, and the alluring curves that even her dress couldn't conceal, all brightened Zhong Qizhen's expression.

He had initially been very resistant to this marriage arrangement. Now, however, he wished to accept it immediately. Such a beautiful woman was rarely seen.

Liu Qinmin asked expectantly, "Young Master Zhong, what do you think of my daughter?"

Zhong Qizhen secretly swallowed, not stinting on praise. "Sister Siling is an unparalleled beauty, gentle and serene. Your nephew is very fond of her."

Internally, he didn't think the Chen family was worthy of him at all. Who was he? A disciple of Qingyun Peak, with boundless potential. How could a mere Chen family be fit to marry into his? But since the Chen family was offering such a beautiful daughter for him to enjoy for free for a few days, it would be a waste not to. Once he tired of her, he would simply kick her aside. What could the Chen family do to him then?

Hearing this evaluation, Liu Qinmin secretly rejoiced, knowing that the marriage could now be settled. As for Chen Siling's opinion, she completely ignored it. In a large family like the Chen's, children's marriages were not decided by themselves.

She winked at Chen Yuqiu, signaling him to make the final decision. However, Chen Yuqiu looked at Chen Siling with a hint of shame. Seeing her with her head bowed, biting her red lips, unable to make up her mind, he turned to Jiang Fan and asked, "Young Master Jiang, what do you think?" Before making a decision, he wanted to hear Jiang Fan's opinion. If Jiang Fan approved of this person and deemed him worthy of a lifetime commitment, then Chen Siling would likely give up hope.

Liu Qinmin slightly frowned, wondering why her husband had invited Jiang Fan to be an evaluator. Did he, a mere son-in-law of the Xu family, really have such authority? She said expressionlessly, "Young Master Jiang, please judge impartially. Do not join my daughter in foolishness simply because you have a personal acquaintance with her." She was very confident that if he judged fairly, Zhong Qizhen would pass. How could Jiang Fan find fault with such an outstanding person?

Chen Siling, however, raised her head, biting her red lips slightly, and looked at Jiang Fan with pleading eyes. Unfortunately, Jiang Fan disappointed her. He calmly wrote a note: "I will evaluate fairly and objectively."

It was only then that Zhong Qizhen finally noticed Jiang Fan and Xu Youran. He was startled. "Jiang Fan? You, why are you here?"

Chen Yuqiu looked at the two in surprise. "Oh, Young Master Zhong, do you know Young Master Jiang?"

Zhong Qizhen's heart pounded. He quickly interjected before Jiang Fan could speak, "I met him once, when I accompanied my master to the Xu family." He subtly shot Jiang Fan a fierce glare, signaling him to keep quiet and not speak carelessly.

Then he asked with a bewildered expression, "Uncle Chen, isn't today my arranged meeting with Siling? Why is he here?"

Since he asked, Chen Yuqiu didn't hide it. "Young Master Jiang has excellent judgment and extraordinary abilities. I invited him to vet Siling's potential partner, to see if he truly is her ideal husband."

What? Jiang Fan was vetting this meeting? His face gradually showed panic and deep regret. If he had known this, why would he have teased Xu Youran earlier and made an enemy of him?

Unaware of his distress, Chen Yuqiu smiled and patted his shoulder. "However, you are so outstanding, Young Master Jiang will surely be full of praise. Isn't that right, Young Master Jiang?"

Jiang Fan smiled and raised his pen, writing on a note: "His appearance, cultivation, family background, and sect are all impeccable and top-tier."

Upon seeing this evaluation, Chen Yuqiu nodded slightly. It was as he expected.

Liu Qinmin's face lit up with joy, and she thought to herself, "At least this Jiang Fan knows his place and didn't spoil the Chen family's good fortune."

Chen Siling's delicate body trembled slightly, her rosy cheeks visibly paling, her eyes empty and glazed over. She felt utterly disheartened, as if all hope was lost. Jiang Fan had mercilessly crushed her only chance to turn things around. This pierced her heart like a knife, causing immense pain.

Zhong Qizhen, whose heart had been in suspense, breathed a sigh of relief. He cast a disdainful glance at Jiang Fan, thinking, "Useless trash, I knew you wouldn't dare oppose me! But do you really think I'll let you off the hook? Unless you're sensible enough to send Xu Youran to my bed for my pleasure, don't expect me to go easy on you during the competition!"

Chen Yuqiu chuckled. "Since Young Master Jiang has said..."

However, he suddenly paused. Jiang Fan had produced another note, startling everyone. "However, his character is extremely poor, a complete scoundrel!"

Xu Youran, who had been holding her breath, finally let it out. She had genuinely thought Jiang Fan had given a passing evaluation. As Chen Siling's best friend, she didn't want to see her harmed by a shameless scoundrel.

Chen Siling's empty gaze gradually refocused, and her face quickly lit up with surprise. She cast a look of profound gratitude towards Jiang Fan.

Liu Qinmin's face darkened. "Young Master Jiang, what is the meaning of this? Things were about to be settled, and then you pull this stunt?"

Jiang Fan picked up his pen, his face expressionless. "It means exactly what it says! In summary, Zhong Qizhen is gilded on the outside but rotten within! If Chen Siling marries him, it will ruin her life."

Chen Yuqiu was stunned. He knew Jiang Fan's identity. As a respected three-star Soul Master, with his status, there was no need to slander a stranger. His gaze towards Zhong Qizhen became filled with suspicion.

Liu Qinmin, however, couldn't accept it. "Nonsense! Zhong Qizhen's reputation in Green Willow City is excellent. How can he be so terrible when it comes to you? Young Master Jiang, it's better to tear down ten temples than ruin one marriage. Please don't casually slander others!"

Jiang Fan couldn't help but shake his head with a sigh. He wrote: "Slander? Madam Chen, why don't you ask how the 'golden turtle' you see him as, in the shop we just passed, flirted with and insulted my wife? He even used me to threaten and coerce her! Do you still dare to accept such a person?"

What?

Chen Yuqiu was shocked to hear this. "Is this true?"

Xu Youran stood up, her pretty face flushed with slight anger. She bowed slightly and said, "Uncle Chen, if you don't believe Xiao Fan, you should at least trust Youran's character, right? I stake my reputation that everything Xiao Fan said is absolutely true."

Even Liu Qinmin was surprised now. As her daughter's only close friend, she knew Xu Youran's character very well. She was well-educated, sensible, pure, and noble, and would never stoop to lying, especially not on matters of such grave importance concerning one's integrity.

Xu Youran continued, "If you truly don't trust me, you can summon the shopkeeper and the assistant from that shop to confront them in person."

With words spoken to this extent, what more could be questioned? Chen Yuqiu was furious. "Young Master Zhong, you flirt with other women even while at a match-making meeting? Who do you take my daughter for? What kind of place do you think my Chen family is? This marriage is off! See him out!"

Liu Qinmin also stared at Zhong Qizhen, full of disappointment. "You have disappointed me greatly. Leave at once, and never come to our Chen family again!"

Zhong Qizhen never imagined this. The marriage that was almost his had been ruined by Jiang Fan! He had intended to obstruct Jiang Fan's entry into the Qingyun Sect. Instead, his own marriage prospects had been shattered by Jiang Fan first!

"Wait!" Zhong Qizhen suddenly roared coldly, startling the approaching servants away. He glared furiously at Chen Yuqiu. "This isn't over yet!"