A Brave Rejection

Translator: Mr Voltaire

Editor: Allenwa

As everyone guessed at his ident.i.ty, Su'Er's body trembled as if she had been hit by a lightning bolt. She suddenly lifted her head and looked towards the white figure standing near the back of the hall. In that instant, her dimmed eyes became misty as tears began to well up.

His voice, and his figure… they were things she would never mistake. In that instant, she felt as if she was in a dream which was too wonderful for reality…

He came… he really came… he had come here, just like in her dreams…

Everyone's attention was focused on the man in white, so no one noticed Su'Er strange reaction. No matter who this man in white was, he had ruined the atmosphere here. Su Hong Cheng's face darkened, but he maintained his bearing. After all, it was him who asked if there was anyone who had objections. Now that there really was someone who objected, he couldn't just explode at him. Su Hong Cheng slowly spoke, "Oh? Haha, if this little friend has any objections to my daughter and Xue Yi being together, please let us know… also, I'm getting old and my memory's getting worse; I simply can't remember this little friend's name. Which family's prince are you?"

Su Hong Cheng spoke extremely courteously- in fact, he was a bit too courteous. However, anyone who wasn't an idiot could hear the fury that was suppressed by the courteousy.

Hearing his words, Ling Chen smirked as he calmly looked ahead. Half of his face was still hidden by the peaked cap… wearing a set of white clothing combined with a peaked cap looked quite strange, and Chao Ying and Chao Xi almost laughed out loud a few times. Ling Chen leisurely replied, "My personal status isn't very important, so I won't bother saying it. If Mayor Su really is interested, you'll find out later on. As for the arranged marriage between Su'Er and Xuanyuan Xue Yi, I have something to say about that…"

Hearing him speak to there, the people in the hall were flabbergasted. More of half of them were thinking… was this young man crazy?! What sort of existence was the Xuanyuan family? What sort of existence was the Su family? Su'Er and Xuanyuan Xue Yi were a perfect match, and both families were completely willing. Even if one of them was a celestial beauty and the other was as ugly as a pig, with how powerful their families were, who would dare to raise objections? Even the Long family wouldn't dare to say anything to ruin the mood.

This mysterious young man… did he know what he was doing?!

Even if what this young man said was completely correct, justifiable, reasonable, logical and sensible, he would have offended two big families, the Su family and Xuanyuan family. The consequences would be incredibly dire.

The man in white disregarded all of that as he continued to talk, "Princess Su'Er is quiet and shy, and looks like a G.o.ddess from the heavens. She's obedient and well-tempered, making anyone want to take care of her. She's incredibly kind, and although she was born into a rich and powerful family, she does not have even a shred of arrogance, nor does she have any evil thoughts. She would rather sacrifice herself than let anyone else be hurt. This sort of girl is simply an angel who reincarnated into a human, and I'm sure there's no girl who is as perfect as princess Su'Er in all of China. Which man wouldn't like a girl like her? Xuanyuan Xue Yi falling for Su'Er is completely normal."

These words of praise caused Su'Er to lower her head again. Her face was flushed red from nervousness and excitement, and the words 'which man wouldn't like a girl like her?' caused her heart to rapidly beat, as if a rabbit had jumped in.

The furious Su Hong Cheng couldn't help but feel a bit pleased. Hearing someone praise his daughter like that, any father would feel happy. Su Yi Cheng's impression of this young man suddenly became much better… That's right! My niece really is that great! This brat's completely right!

Ling Chen continued to speak, "A girl like her is a blessing to the world. I'm sure her family treats her like a precious pearl. For a girl like princess Su'Er, there should be a perfect home for her; I'm sure this is Mayor Su's greatest wish, right?"

"Of course! Which father doesn't want his daughter to be happy forever?" Su Hong Cheng nodded. Most of the suppressed-fury was now gone from his voice.

Ling Chen pulled down the brim of the cap as his voice became softer, "In that case, shouldn't you take such a big matter like marriage more seriously?"

Su Hong Cheng frowned as he replied, "Of course we're taking this marriage seriously! Many years ago, brother Xuanyuan and I already agreed on this. Even if we disregard the Xuanyuan family, Xuanyuan Xue Yi is an extremely remarkable young man, and both parties are willing and agreed to this marriage. Which of us need to take this more seriously?"

All of the guests silently nodded. Xuanyuan Xue Yi was excellent in all areas, and apart from Long Tian Yun, there was no one who could compare to him in the younger generation. Adding on how much he liked Su'Er, going so far as to make a vow in front of everyone, how could they not be an ideal couple? How much more seriously did they have to take this? Did they have to take it seriously and wait a few years until Xuanyuan Xue Yi found another woman? Even if they cried and regretted, it would be much too late by then.

"Haha…" Ling Chen chuckled, then continued, "Both parties are willing? How come I can't tell? Both of them agreed to this marriage? I can tell Xuanyuan Xue Yi is quite willing, but as for princess Su'Er… has anyone heard her agree to this marriage? Just then, I only heard Mayor Su say that he was agreeing on behalf of princess Su'Er, but she did not say anything herself. Mayor Su, are you sure your daughter truly wants to marry Xuanyuan Xue Yi?"

"What nonsense!" Su Hong Cheng's anger flared up, "Are you saying you understand my daughter more than me? If my daughter wasn't willing, how could I force her to marry someone she didn't like?"

"Really?" Ling Chen smiled, as his voice became gentle. He looked to Su'Er as he softly said, "Princess Su'Er, your father said that both you and Xuanyuan Xue Yi agree to this marriage… are you truly willing? I want to hear your true thoughts, not your father speaking on your behalf. I hope you can truthfully answer whether you're willing or unwilling… I know that your personality is gentle and meek, and aren't very good at refusing, especially to those close to you. You would rather be hurt than to oppose them. Perhaps you think that by suffering like this, you will make them happy. However, you're completely wrong. Have you considered that if you marry someone you don't love, will you be happy? If you're unhappy, will your family be happy? Also, your friends and good sisters- will they be happy?

"Your family, as well as true friends, just want you to live a happy and worry-free life. They'll be happy if you are happy. If you betray your own heart and simply obey, not only is this not good for you, but it will hurt all of them as well. Something as important as this, which will affect the rest of your life, will cause unimaginable pain. As such, you need to bravely say what you really think… for yourself, your family and friends… as well as the person you truly like… and the person who likes Su'Er…"

Su'Er's eyes trembled. Ling Chen's words caused her to fully wake up, and that last sentence caused her heart to beat incredibly quickly.

Him appearing, and his existence, filled her with immense courage.

She looked up and stared at Ling Chen for a while before turning to her father. She spoke using a solemn voice that she rarely used as she said, "Dad… I… I've only met Xuanyuan Xue Yi a few times, and we've barely talked. I don't like him or want to marry him… dad... uncle… I'm sorry…"

After saying these words, Su'Er felt her entire body lighten. The heavy rock that had been weighing down on her heart had been cast off by her courage. Even the nervousness and worry disappeared as well. At that moment, she had never felt so free and relaxed before.

Su'Er spoke softly and slowly, but it was as if the hall had been struck by a bolt of lightning. The entire hall fell silent, and everyone's expression was simply comical.

The words Su'Er had spoken… clearly rejected the marriage!

If this had happened a day ago, everything would be fine. Even if Su Hong Cheng didn't follow Su'Er's wishes, he would at least prepare her for the engagement party. Perhaps he would respect her wishes, and talk to the Xuanyuan family privately, and settle the matter quietly. However, what was the situation right now? This was the Su family and the Xuanyuan family's big engagement banquet, and they had invited many rich and powerful families to bear witness… not only were the pair not engaged, but the Su family's princess had suddenly rejected this marriage.

How was the Xuanyuan family supposed to prepare their dignity after being rejected like this in front of so many members of the upper-cla.s.s society? The heir of the Xuanyuan family had been rejected in public- how would he maintain his dignity if this news was spread? The entire Xuanyuan family would become a laughingstock.

This was more humiliating than publicly slapping the Xuanyuan family hundreds, if not thousands, of times.

Of course, the Su family that had caused all of this had inadvertently offended the Xuanyuan family. Even if the Xuanyuan family didn't immediately fall out with them, and remained calm, they would definitely seek revenge.

 Xuanyuan Sheng and Xuanyuan Xue Yi's faces twisted, while Su Hong Cheng and Su Yi Cheng were completely dumbfounded. Their faces completely stiffened, and they were unable to utter a single word.