"I knew you old bastard had ill intentions, eyeing my Ranran," Bai Zhantian’s expression soured as he listened, glaring angrily at Qin Mu.
"Oh, Old Bai, don't be so rigid. Matters of the young should be decided by the young. What are you getting so agitated about?" Qin Mu retorted impatiently.
Qin Mu Bai, standing beside them, wished he could dig a hole and disappear. He did like Bai Ran, but he never expected his grandfather to be so direct!
Without waiting for a reply, Qin Mu directly addressed the Emperor: "Your Majesty, my Qin family wishes to form a marital alliance with the Bai family. We request Your Majesty's imperial decree for the marriage."
Bai Ran watched the Qin family patriarch's seamless maneuver, utterly stunned. Wait, did no one even need her consent?
"Oh? Young Qin? This is indeed a joyous occasion! Ran'er, what are your thoughts?" Murong De looked towards Bai Ran.
Before Bai Ran could even speak, Murong Chen also chimed in, "Father, this humble subject also admires the fourth daughter of the Bai family. I hope Your Majesty will grant us your blessing."
Why are you adding to the chaos? Bai Ran shot Murong Chen a look.
"Relax," Murong Chen returned her gaze.
In truth, Murong Chen harbored his own subtle intentions. If Bai Ran didn't reject him, he wouldn't mind waiting for her.
A gasp swept through the grand hall. What was going on? Was Bai Ran that popular?
But then again, she was powerful, beautiful, and talented. If she wasn't well-received, who would be?
Long Jinhan's fingers tightened on the armrest of his chair, almost crushing it. Watching the two exchange glances, the strings of his reason suddenly snapped.
Flirting with his woman right in front of him? Did they think he was dead?
His aura erupted, and a terrifying, potent pressure emanated from him. Instantly, everyone collapsed to the ground in pain, trembling as they looked at the man in black.
He particularly focused his 'attention' on Murong Chen and Qin Mu Bai.
Even the Emperor was not spared. Only Bai Ran and Bai Zhantian remained seated as if unaffected.
"Esteemed Venerable, what… what is the meaning of this?" Murong De asked, struggling to lift his head.
"Nothing. I just found you all displeasing," he said, retracting his pressure. He saw the girl glaring at him.
Everyone in the hall looked at Long Jinhan with lingering fear.
At this moment, Bai Ran walked to the center of the hall, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject currently has no intention of getting engaged. I hope Your Majesty will grant my wish."
Still recovering from the upheaval, the Emperor glanced fearfully at Long Jinhan and said nonchalantly, "Yes, yes, as you wish."
Meanwhile, the most unfortunate Murong Chen and Qin Mu Bai were still lying on the ground, gasping for breath.
They felt as if they had just stepped into the gates of hell!
After the recent calamity, Bai Ran's engagement matters were overshadowed.
As she passed Murong Chen, she secretly flicked a pill towards him. The plan couldn't be affected by this interlude.
Long Jinhan almost lost control again, but a glare from Bai Ran made him settle down.
The Eldest Princess smoothed her hair, sat up straight, and cautiously glanced at Long Jinhan. Had he been angry just now? But why?
Following Long Jinhan's gaze, she saw him looking at Bai Ran. Could it be that his anger was also because of her?
Eldest Princess Murong Yun'er was elegantly beautiful and intelligent. Murong De doted on her greatly.
Because of this, the Eldest Princess had never experienced hardship and had always lived a life of luxury and carefree joy.
Bai Ran observed her surroundings and suddenly met Murong Yun'er's gaze. She smiled at Murong Yun'er before looking away.
Murong Yun'er's face instantly flushed crimson. How could someone be so beautiful that it made her shy?
The banquet proceeded to the gift-giving portion.
"Noble Consort Xian, this is the Dragon Horn Pearl from my Liu family."
"Noble Consort Xian, this is the third-tier Youthful Radiance Pill from my Zheng family."
...
"Noble Consort Xian," a gentle, coquettish voice rang out. Bai Luohan moved to the center of the hall and presented a sword. "Noble Consort, this is a divine artifact that Luo Han has searched for a long time. I present it to you specially."
A divine artifact? Bai Ran looked at the sword in Bai Luohan's hand with confusion.
Why couldn't she sense that it was a divine artifact?
"This sword is not a divine artifact at all," Shi Tian transmitted from within the spatial realm. "The sword's scabbard is the divine artifact."
Bai Ran glanced at the scabbard discarded on the floor, her lips twitching.
Mistaking a pearl for a pebble.
"A divine artifact? The Bai family's intentions are well-received by this consort…"
Before the Noble Consort could finish, Bai Luohan interrupted, "Noble Consort, Luo Han does not represent the Bai family, but Luo Han herself."
Represent herself?
Didn't this statement imply that Bai Luohan wanted to sever ties with the Bai family and leave them?
Bai Zhantian's expression turned grim, while Bai Ran remained indifferent.
"But aren't you a daughter of the Bai family?" the Noble Consort asked, confused.
"The Bai family killed Luo Han's father! This is an irreconcilable hatred! Therefore, Luo Han has decided to leave the Bai family!" Bai Luohan declared firmly.
A murmur erupted throughout the hall.
"Indeed, not long ago, the head of the Bai family personally killed his own son. How cruel," someone commented.
"Precisely. Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs, yet Bai Zhantian turned out to be such a person."
Listening to the discussions in the hall, Bai Ran's expression darkened. She didn't care about outside criticism, so she didn't hesitate to kill. However, she never expected her grandfather to take the blame for her.
By the time Bai Ran discovered it, her grandfather had already spread the news, leaving her no room to maneuver.
She didn't mind being criticized, but she minded those who were criticized because of her.
"So, whether you live or die from now on has nothing to do with the Bai family, is that it?" Bai Ran stared into Bai Luohan's eyes and said in a deep voice.
Bai Luohan shivered under Bai Ran's gaze. Then, she thought again. She already had the protection of the Second Prince, so nothing would go wrong.
She then mustered her courage and glared at Bai Ran: "That's right! I will be marrying the Second Prince soon, and I am the Second Prince's person. I don't need the Bai family's pretense!"
"Indeed, Luo Han and I will be married soon. The Bai family need not interfere," Murong Jin chimed in, following the atmosphere, but his eyes kept darting towards Bai Ran's stunning face.
Bai Ran, if you were to kneel before this Prince now and beg me, I would marry you and Luo Han together, forgetting the past.
After all, he was quite pleased with that face, and Bai Ran's strength was also formidable.
Who knew that Bai Ran would show no reaction at all?
"Fine. From this moment on, Bai Luohan is no longer affiliated with my Bai family. I wish the two newlyweds a happy union," she said in a low voice, pausing. "Unwavering devotion."
Shi Tian, within the spatial realm, heard Bai Ran's words and recalled something she had said long ago:
"If Bai Luohan loses the Bai family's protection, will her beloved Second Prince overcome all obstacles to protect her, or will he abandon her without hesitation? I'm quite looking forward to it."
Shi Tian's skin crawled instantly.
So their actions were all within Bai Ran's control!
Their perceived bright future was already leading to a dead end under Bai Ran's manipulation!
No one broke free, nor did anyone escape.