Chaotic World Book-Chapter 440 - 427

In fact, when Old Cui brought up this matter, he did not have much confidence.

Everyone in the world believed that once Zhao Changhe made it onto the Human List, the marriage would naturally fall into place, and even Cui Yuanyang himself thought so. Only the two people involved in the garden pavilion conversation that year knew that this was not completely the case.

Back then, it was Cui Wenjing’s craftiness and rhetorical manipulation that led to the three-year agreement. If he had not played his tricks, Zhao Changhe would actually have refused.

Yes, Zhao Changhe intended to refuse. It wasn’t the story that outsiders understood, where Zhao Changhe went to propose and faced difficulties.

But, he got wound around by old fox’s cunning and ended up establishing a three-year pact, originally with Yangyang’s reputation in mind and also because the old fox thought this guy could be the Crown Prince. Having a fallback was a win-win.

The old fox’s calculations were too clear; Zhao Changhe was green at the time, but he wasn’t completely unaware. He had said at the time, "Three years later, who’s to say I won’t be the one to break the agreement, letting it drift away without ailment?"

That would be a reasonable explanation to the world—why marry someone insistent on being difficult? I’ve broken through on the Human List, let them regret it. Perfectly normal.

After all, there’s really no pride in it. After so long being the talk of the town and being known as the "Hidden Dragon with the most down-to-earth spirit" seems friendly, but in reality, it’s quite embarrassing. I’m not shamelessly insisting on marrying your daughter, so why should I be the butt of jokes...

So this seemingly natural marriage agreement could just as naturally come to nothing without incident. It’s far from solid.

If Zhao Changhe were like any other common person, seeking worldly power, wanting to be an Emperor, then Old Cui could rest easy. The Qinghe Cui’s full support was coveted by many, and the Tang family couldn’t compete. The marriage agreement would face no mishaps.

But Zhao Changhe sought none of that. Even Cui Yuanyang could see her biggest advantage here was almost meaningless, let alone Old Cui.

Fortunately, Zhao Changhe valued relationships and would not easily abandon Yangyang... Otherwise, Cui Wenjing really wanted to, like Tang Wanzhuang, go back to more than a year ago and slap her former self in the garden pavilion who thought she had cleverly calculated everything: "That’s what you get for being scheming!"

In summary, now they weren’t so certain. They were actually counting on Zhao Changhe’s sense of loyalty... Cui Wenjing couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

Give up? To be honest, Old Cui couldn’t bear to.

Such a martial arts prodigy, such a fulcrum of converging forces, any competent Family Head would not just watch him slip away—that would be truly a matter for self-chastisement.

So no choice but to swallow some pride, shamelessly rush to solidify the deal.

Well, the Human List is still a list, and this could also be called "catching a suitor from the list," which is traditional, not a loss of face.

After all, the foundation had been laid; I don’t mind your having multiple wives or concubines, and if you’re to be Emperor, then it’s even less likely you’d have only one. As long as the Empress is from my family, that’s enough.

Zhao Changhe was well aware of what Old Cui was thinking, sitting cross-legged at the bedside watching him, while Cui Wenjing was leaning against the door jamb, glaring.

The two stared at each other for a good while, and seeing that Zhao Changhe did not respond, Cui Wenjing finally sighed, "I never thought you would rise to such heights today. The Qinghe Cui family actually hasn’t contributed much. Asking for the principal wife right off the bat is essentially taking advantage of your young romance... so go ahead, make any demands if you have them."

Zhao Changhe shook his head: "I have no demands."

Cui Wenjing was taken aback, then heard Zhao Changhe continue, "Maybe we from the Zhao Mansion see things differently from the rest of the world, especially from Aristocratic Families... I’ve never been comfortable with bargaining over these matters as if they were transactions, but it seems you’re quite accustomed to it."

Cui Wenjing said, "Fundamentally, this is a transaction. The marriages of the main heirs of Aristocratic Families must carry significant meaning. It just so happens that Yuan Yang and you have feelings for each other, so everyone is happy. Even if not, this matter still needs to be discussed."

Zhao Changhe sighed: "I understand, but I don’t like it this way."

"It doesn’t matter, you just need to decide whether to marry or not," Cui Wenjing maintained his dignity, "Keep in mind my Cui Family doesn’t have to cling to you. If you’re unwilling, then we can part ways."

"That’s said as if you’re asking someone to marry you."

Cui Wenjing raised the door jamb.

"No, no, no..." Zhao Changhe surrendered with raised hands: "I am truly in love with Yangyang and am determined to marry her. If you don’t let me, I’ll be the one getting upset."

Cui Wenjing let out a sigh of relief: "Is there another meaning behind your words?"

"Uncle, if we think in your business mindset... what if I say I truly don’t want to be Emperor, and in fact, I can’t be one... and in the end, Yangyang is just going to roam the world with a man from the Worldly Society like me, what would you think?"

Cui Wenjing froze for a moment, then frowned.

Zhao Changhe said, "That’s why I said I didn’t want to use this business perspective... My feelings for Yangyang are our own affair. I hope that when I traverse the ends of the earth, I have Yangyang by my side. Perhaps this isn’t quite what Uncle might have in mind."

Cui Wenjing frowned at him, but the old fox also discerned another implicit meaning in Zhao Changhe’s words.

If it were just a matter of a man from the Worldly Society traveling the world, there really wouldn’t be any talk of a primary wife, much less a matter of sequence by age...

But if you were merely a wanderer of the Worldly Society, on what basis could you entertain the thought of having a harem? Never mind if I would agree; would Tang Wanju?

Eh, perhaps Cui Yuanyang, that simpleton, would agree himself.

Headache.

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but want to smile at old Cui’s expression, "Uncle... Are we still setting a wedding date?"

"Set," Cui Wenjing replied expressionlessly. "This old man does not believe you would wander the world aimlessly."

Zhao Changhe slowly said, "I would actually like to persuade Uncle... The world is changing, and perhaps the old way of thinking of Aristocratic Families has to change as well. With the God Demon approaching, focusing on petty household squabbles seems shortsighted, and I’m afraid you might not be able to keep up with the times."

Cui Wenjing squinted at him for a long time, suddenly saying, "Some things are unchangeable... In an age of God Demon, there will be God Demon families. No matter how much of a rogue one might be, in the end, one must have a home."

Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment, "Perhaps."

Cui Wenjing said, "Yangyang came home and told me about the Sea Race situation in the Wang Family, what do you think?"

"The Wang Family might not have realized the infiltration of the Sea Race before, or perhaps they thought it was controllable even if they did notice. But their recent brazen use of the Yin energy to try to control the Lianshan Sword means they’re undoubtedly aware of its harm, yet they still proceeded. Does Uncle think that Wang Daoning has been controlled by the Sea Race, or is there another reason?"

Cui Wenjing said, "This old man has known Wang Daoning for decades, and I find it hard to believe that someone like him could be easily controlled. Perhaps it’s not that simple. But his overt actions in joining the fray are equally baffling to me, especially while the Empress is still present. It’s incomprehensible."

Zhao Changhe nodded, "The affairs of the Wang Family are not something I can afford to pay much attention to, so I will have to trouble Uncle to be more vigilant. I need to enter a Secret Realm, and the journey might take a long time... I hope the landscape will not have changed beyond recognition when I return."

Cui Wenjing said, "Then let’s set the wedding date for after you return."

Zhao Changhe agreed readily, "Okay, as Uncle arranges."

Anyway, he had made his position clear regarding the issue of primary and secondary, it was their business what they thought about it.

Old Cui’s face also revealed a smile, becoming more benevolent, "There were a few occasions before when you asked me to seek clues for certain items, and we did eventually find them, but it seems Ying Wu beat us to it, which is a bit embarrassing."

Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but be amused, "Is that kind of face-saving really worth fighting over..."

"It is. He’s on the Heavenly List, am I not? His Bandit Brothers are useful, and my Cui Family is useless?"

"Emmmm..."

Cui Wenjing said slowly, "I do not know which Secret Realm you plan to visit this time, but I can guess it must be directly related to the recent Maitreya battle that’s been on your mind ever since your injury. You are anxious to go."

Zhao Changhe said, "Uncle is astute, there indeed is a connection."

"Related to witchcraft? His use of Corpse Puppet Technique, along with Possession, all hinge on the use of Gu. But this guy has been holed up in a Secret Realm for so long, he hasn’t been able to cultivate more types of Gu Insects, which is why he has few patterns."

"Exactly..."

Cui Wenjing nodded, "Ying Wu specializes in Secret Realms and may understand these matters better than us, but his resources are still limited. He might know about many things but lacks any substantial items... Take this. It will be very useful in your endeavor."

Saying this, he tossed over a small trinket resembling a Heart Shield, "With Purple Qi vast and encompassing, running through mountains and rivers, it can protect against the harm of Witchcraft. Of course, it can’t grant immunity, but it aids in defense and can reveal unseen Gu... Well, is it useful to you?"

Zhao Changhe was ecstatic, "Useful, incredibly useful!"

Cui Wenjing walked away leisurely with his hands behind his back, "Relying not on power? Wandering the world? Heh... The naivety of youth. Best prepare yourself earnestly to return and get married."

Zhao Changhe: "..."

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