Chapter 131: Chapter 128: Coercion? Sibling Reunion

From the other end of the wooden bridge, several figures walked over together.

They were the elders of the two families, talking and laughing. The leading elder from the Li Family was Li Qingyun’s father, Li Tongguang, who was also Ning Yu’an’s maternal grandfather.

From the Huangfu Family was an old man named Huangfu Lv. He was Huangfu Xiao’s grandfather and of the same generation as Li Tongguang.

This celebratory banquet at the Golden Cauldron Lotus Garden was, on one hand, to celebrate Huangfu Xiao’s breakthrough to the Innate Limit. But more importantly, it was to finalize the marriage alliance between the two families.

An alliance between two behemoths of Golden Cauldron City was a major event, one that would cause a considerable stir even in the entire Jiangnan Region.

Both families considered this matter to be of the utmost importance.

"Grandfather, Elder Li."

Huangfu Lv, Li Tongguang, and the others walked into the pavilion, and Huangfu Xiao greeted them.

"A hero emerges from the young generation. Soon we’ll be one family, so there’s no need to be so formal by calling me Elder Li."

Li Tongguang looked at Huangfu Xiao with satisfaction.

A member of the younger generation at the Innate Limit possessed immense potential. Any faction would expend great effort to win over such a person, not to mention that Huangfu Xiao was backed by the Huangfu Family, a renowned and prestigious clan.

"Haha, Xiao, we have already settled the matter between you two children. In one month, we will hold a grand wedding for you," Huangfu Lv said with a smile.

"Thank you, Elder Li, for making this happen."

Huangfu Xiao quickly cupped his hands in a salute toward Li Tongguang. Although he had long known this matter would be settled as a matter of course, he still felt a pleasant surprise upon hearing the wedding would be held in just one month.

Ning Yu’an’s pretty face turned ugly, her eyes filled with rage. ’These people decided my marriage with just a few words. Have they ever once asked for my opinion?’

By rights, a marriage should be decided by one’s parents. But her parents, Ning Changfeng and Li Qingyun, were both imprisoned within the Li Family estate and had no way of getting out tonight.

’In other words, I’m being treated as a mere tool for a marriage alliance, a puppet with no will of my own.’

"I object."

Just as the atmosphere between the Li and Huangfu families was growing harmonious, Ning Yu’an’s sharp, resolute voice rang out. Instantly, everyone frowned.

"Object to what?"

Li Tongguang looked at Ning Yu’an, displeased. His eyes were like a hawk’s; a single glance from him exerted immense pressure, making it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze.

"I will not marry Huangfu Xiao."

Ning Yu’an met Li Tongguang’s gaze and spoke with determination.

Today’s events concerned her happiness for the rest of her life. No matter what, she had to resist.

And as for Li Tongguang, this so-called grandfather of hers, she felt not a shred of affection.

Back when Li Qingyun married Ning Changfeng, it was Li Tongguang who had desperately tried to stop it, vehemently opposing the union and later severing ties with Li Qingyun.

After she was born, this so-called grandfather had never once come to see her, nor had he ever shown her any familial affection.

Now, this very same person was about to sacrifice her happiness again to gain benefits for the Li Family.

Toward Li Tongguang, her heart held only sorrow and grief.

"Nonsense! This is a major strategy decided upon by our two families. Your objection is useless."

Li Tongguang’s voice suddenly turned stern. He was a man who centered everything on his family’s interests.

Although Ning Yu’an was his granddaughter, she was, after all, a member of the Ning Family. She was the product of a marriage he had never acknowledged, a stain in his eyes. Therefore, he didn’t hesitate to use her to secure a marriage alliance with the Huangfu Family.

Ning Yu’an opened her mouth to speak again, but Li Tongguang let out a cold snort, giving her no chance to talk. "Enough. There’s no need for further discussion. I assume you don’t want anything to happen to your father, do you?"

Ning Yu’an’s expression changed. He was threatening her with Ning Changfeng’s safety.

Rage filled her heart and her lips trembled, but she couldn’t utter a single word. A sense of powerlessness washed over her.

Faced with the oppression of the Li and Huangfu families, her own power was simply too weak.

Ever since she entered the Li Family, she had been cultivating desperately day and night. Her cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching the Innate Middle Stage.

She had worked so hard because she wanted to change everything with her own strength.

But even now, she was still not strong enough to stand against these two behemoths.

’If my little brother were here, he would never let me suffer such an injustice, would he?’

Ning Yu’an subconsciously clenched her delicate fists, pangs of anguish gripping her heart.

"Heh, this child is just ignorant. Please, everyone, don’t mind what she just said. Once their feelings for each other develop, she’ll realize how fortunate she is to be able to marry into the Huangfu Family."

Li Tongguang said to the members of the Huangfu Family.

"If she continues to be this ignorant, it won’t be a good thing. In all of Golden Cauldron City, the number of women who want to marry our Xiao is countless."

Huangfu Lv said, slightly displeased. Ning Yu’an had opposed the marriage alliance to their faces; if word got out, wouldn’t the Huangfu Family lose face?

"Brother Huangfu, rest assured. The Li Family will discipline her properly when we return."

Li Tongguang shot a knife-like glare at Ning Yu’an.

"Indeed, the Li Family should discipline her properly."

Just then, Young Master Floating Snow, Cheng Hanshan, also spoke up, his words laced with coldness.

"What’s going on?"

Li Tongguang’s expression changed. Young Master Floating Snow was ranked fifth among the Nine Great Young Masters, his might shaking Cyan Cloud. ’Could Ning Yu’an have offended him?’

"Hmph. Just now, when Brother Huangfu and I were discussing the White Head Sword Sect, she dared to confront me and insult me, calling my character despicable."

Cheng Hanshan’s gaze was like a sword. As he spoke, the very air seemed to sharpen. "I never spare those who dare to insult me. Someone from your Li Family is truly audacious!"

"This—!"

Li Tongguang’s expression changed drastically. Any Innate Limit Strong Person held a noble status and could not be insulted.

Moreover, for someone like Cheng Hanshan, who was on the Innate List and one of the Nine Great Young Masters, his immense potential meant that even prestigious clans wouldn’t dare to offend him.

If such a Top Level figure were to blame the Li Family, they would absolutely suffer for it.

"Young Master Floating Snow, rest assured, I will make her give you an explanation."

Li Tongguang stared at Ning Yu’an with an ugly expression and demanded sternly, "I’m asking you, did you or did you not confront Young Master Floating Snow earlier?"

"Yes, but he insulted my younger brother first, saying—"

"Shut up! I have no interest in your explanation!" Li Tongguang roared, ruthlessly cutting her off. "Apologize to Young Master Floating Snow right now and beg for his forgiveness."

At his words, Ning Yu’an’s face turned pale, and her heart filled with desolation.

’This is my grandfather. He feels no affection for me and won’t even distinguish right from wrong, yet he wants to force me to apologize to Cheng Hanshan.’

Nearby, Cheng Hanshan watched all this with a cold sneer, quietly waiting for Ning Yu’an to apologize.

Huangfu Xiao also remained silent. Ning Yu’an’s refusal to marry him had angered him, and he, too, felt that her temper needed to be properly disciplined.

"Ning Yu’an, it’s not your uncle nagging you, but who do you think Young Master Floating Snow is? Is he someone you can afford to offend? Hurry up and apologize to him." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

A middle-aged man behind Li Tongguang spoke up. He was one of Li Qingyun’s older brothers and thus Ning Yu’an’s uncle.

But this uncle’s eyes held not the slightest trace of familial affection as he looked at Ning Yu’an, only disdain and indifference.

"Hmph. She’s from a small place like the Ning Family, after all. That’s why she’s so ill-mannered and doesn’t know her place, daring to offend Young Master Floating Snow," said another middle-aged woman, one of Ning Yu’an’s maternal aunts.

"I imagine if Young Master Floating Snow wasn’t giving face to the Li and Huangfu families, you would already be dead. And you still dare to refuse the marriage alliance with the Huangfu Family? You truly don’t know what’s good for you," a third person added.

Ning Yu’an bit her lip tightly, her heart feeling as if it had plunged into a bottomless ice cellar.

These people before her were all her relatives, yet to her, they were complete strangers.

’Where is there even a hint of family affection in their eyes?’

"You wretched girl, what are you standing there in a daze for? Apologize already!" Li Tongguang reprimanded again.

Ning Yu’an’s delicate body trembled, her eyes filled with despair. A bitter smile touched her lips. At this moment, how she wished Ning Jiang could be here.

’With Ning Jiang’s personality, he would die fighting before letting her suffer the slightest grievance...’

"I..."

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a voice suddenly came from behind her:

"Sister An."

Hearing this voice, Ning Yu’an froze completely.

’How could I ever forget that voice?’

’Am I so heartbroken that I’m starting to hear things?’

She thought in disbelief, her heart pounding with apprehension as she turned around. When she saw Ning Jiang standing there, her delicate body was struck as if by lightning.

"Little Brother... it’s you, it’s really you..."

Ning Yu’an’s lips began to tremble, her voice filled with immense, joyous surprise.

Ever since she had been taken by the Li Family, she had missed Ning Jiang day and night, constantly worrying about his injuries.

Now, just as she was feeling despair and sorrow, suffocating as if she were drowning, Ning Jiang had arrived.

"Sister An, it’s me. I’ve come for you."

Ning Jiang walked forward and, under everyone’s astonished gazes, wrapped his arms around Ning Yu’an’s waist, gently pulling her into his embrace.

"Sister An, I made you worry. It’s all my fault. I was in a coma for too long and failed to protect you, letting the Li Family take you away."

Ning Jiang gently held the woman in his arms.

Just as in the past when he was afflicted by the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, Ning Yu’an had held him just like this, never leaving his side.

"*Sob*... Little Brother, I missed you so much. I knew you would come for me. I’ve been waiting for you."

Ning Yu’an hugged Ning Jiang tightly, as if afraid he would vanish before her eyes. A stream of clear tears slowly trickled down her lovely face.

She had been held by the Li Family for half a year and had been strong enough not to shed a single tear. But now, at the moment she saw Ning Jiang, all her strength crumbled into vulnerability. All the grievances and suffering she had endured couldn’t help but burst forth.

In front of Ning Jiang, she didn’t have to struggle so hard to be strong.

She knew her little brother would protect her.

"Sister An, don’t cry. I promised you I would never let you suffer any more grievances."

Ning Jiang’s voice was firm and icy, each word deliberate. "I heard everything they just said. Since they dared to bully you, I will make every single one of them kneel and apologize, begging for your forgiveness!"