Chapter 4 Trouble Is Brewing

• "Ahh!" Lingxi screamed and sprang back like an animal in fear. Her eyes flew open as she touched her lip, and her neck turned scarlet red. "You… you kissed me!"
• "What's with the huge reaction?" Xiao Che continued with an innocent and slightly wounded expression, "We used to do this all the time when we were kids. Whenever I kiss you now, though, you look like you are in shock!"
• "T-That was back when we were young!" Lingxi was flushed as she spoke, "We're grown-ups now. We can't play this kissing game anymore. Moreover, you… you're getting married! You can only kiss your wife from now on!"
• "Why?" Xiao Che asked.
• "Because I'm your aunt!" Lingxi stomped her feet angrily.
• The man held on to his chin and smiled. "Well, what happens if I think about kissing you all the time?" He found it amusing that the sweet fifteen-year-old in front of him appeared frazzled and lacked the authority of an aunt.
• "Hmph! You should marry me then," the girl scoffed.
• "But you're my aunt! How could I marry you…" Xiao Che's eyes widened as he lowered his voice.
• "I'm glad you remember that I'm your aunt. Stop your foolish acts or I'll complain to your wife, Qingyue. I'll get her to teach you a lesson. Hmph!" Lingxi looked at her nephew triumphantly.
• Just then, Xiao Hong's voice interrupted their conversation, "Are you ready, Young Master Che? We need to head to the Xia residence."
• "All right, we'll be out in a jiffy." Xiao Che took one last look at his attire and began making his way out of the room. Before he could step out, Lingxi grabbed hold of his arm and said solemnly, "Do you remember our conversation yesterday, Xiao Che? Repeat it before you leave the house. I'll not allow you to step out of here if you forget any words."
• Xiao Che thought briefly about the pact they made yesterday. He replied sheepishly, "All right. After I married Xia Qingyue, I promise not to forget about my aunt. I promise not to spend less time with my aunt. I promise to be at my aunt's beck and call. Have I got all the words right?"
• "Haha! Great that you remember," Lingxi commented happily. She continued as she held on to Xiao Che's hand, "I want to add another line to the pact. Even though Qingyue is now your wife, she cannot hold a higher place in your heart than I do. Hurry, repeat the pact once more. Quick!"
• Xiao Che glanced at her and said, "I'll agree if you kiss me."
• "Will you… marry me then?" the girl replied.
• Xiao Che remained silent, not knowing what to say.
• "Are you ready, Young Master Che? It's inauspicious to miss the timing," Xiao Hong urged once again.
• The man, who was already holding on to the doorknob, whispered to Lingxi, "I can't promise you that because you have a special place in my heart. Qingyue can never match up to you, not in a hundred years. I'll never put her up against you." He then pushed open the door and exited, leaving Lingxi alone in the room.
• Lingxi remained motionless for a moment, astonished by Xiao Che's words. The corners of her mouth then curled in a joyous arc, and she sprang out from the room like a little girl who had just received her favorite toy.
• Xiao Che noticed his wedding procession patiently waiting outside the mansion; it was appropriately elaborate for the occasion. "Please get on the horse, Young Master Che. I'll be responsible for your safety throughout this journey. My service should be of no use on this big day. It's such a joyous occasion!"
• "Thank you, Uncle Hong." Xiao Che smiled.
• A warm voice called out from his left shortly after he mounted the horse, "Looks like we made it just in time. Are you heading to your future wife's house, Xiao Che? Congratulations!"
• Xiao Che arched his brow and turned to see who had come to see him; he noticed two men approaching him leisurely. One was a well-built, medium-height man in his twenties with refined features and large expressive eyes. He also had a brilliant smile on his face. The other was a younger man with a sharp jawline and a boyish face who kept his distance behind the other man.
• "Hello, Yulong and Xiao Yang. Have you come to send me off?" Xiao Che said gleefully.
• Xiao Yulong was the son of the current Xiao family leader, Xiao Yunhai. He was known to be one of the most outstanding members of his generation due to a combination of attractive looks, powerful arcane powers, charisma, and intelligence. At the age of twenty, he was already at the 3rd level of Arcana stage. Not only was he Yunhai's source of pride, but the entire Xiao family was also counting on him to be their next leader. Despite being lauded by many, the man never demonstrated arrogance. He was courteous to everyone, even Xiao Che, the useless family member. Yulong made no disparaging remarks about the man's ability; instead, he often encouraged Xiao Che and offered moral support. Thus, the then-Xiao Che was respectful and appreciative of Yulong's compassionate attitude.
• The man behind Yulong was also no ordinary member of the Xiao clan. He was Xiao Yang, the second grandmaster's youngest grandson. The boy reached the 9th level of the Nascent Arcana stage at the age of nineteen. Since he was a child, Xiao Yang had always remained loyally at Yulong's side. His attitude toward Xiao Che, however, was subpar in comparison. Although they were both grandsons of the grandmasters, he often looked down on the man. When Xiao Che made the effort to speak to him, he always delivered half-hearted responses or entirely disregarded him.
• As the grandson of a grandmaster, Xiao Che had been given his own residence with a courtyard. However, apart from Xiao Lie, Lingxi, and his best friend, few had stepped foot into the place. Therefore, Xiao Che deduced that Yulong and Xiao Yang had come to congratulate him on his marriage.
• "Haha! Of course!" Yulong laughed heartily before continuing, "You're about to marry the most beautiful girl in Cloud City. It isn't just a matter of celebration for the Xiao family, but the whole Cloud City. I'm thrilled for you, but also a little jealous. Perhaps a little self-ashamed as well. Haha!"
• Xiao Che chuckled. "You must be joking, Yulong. A talented man like you will undoubtedly have plenty of females waiting to be your bride."
• "Let's go, Young Master Che," Xiao Hong interrupted.
• "Hurry on, Xiao Che. We'll wait for you to return with the prettiest and most talented lady in Cloud City," Yulong said merrily.
• Xiao Che nodded his head and adjusted himself in the saddle. He then made his way to the Xia residence, amidst deafening gongs, drums, and firecrackers.
• When Xiao Che disappeared from sight, Yulong's smile was exchanged for a menacing one. He spun around and gave Xiao Yang a forceful slap on the cheek, and roared, "Useless fool!"
• Despite his sore, red left cheek, Xiao Yang hurriedly knelt before Yulong and muttered fearfully, "I… I added the Wicked Heart Poison and he fainted after consuming it. I… I've no idea what happened…"
• "Hmph!" Yulong's brow furrowed as he yelled, "I went through so much trouble to get the poison. Not even the great physician, Situ Yun, could detect it. Yet, you messed everything up! Am I supposed to watch Xia Qingyue marry a useless fool like Xiao Che?"
• Xiao Yang replied eagerly, "He's on his way to the Xia residence, so we still have a chance to disrupt his marriage. Since we are unable to be present, we can rely on the wealthy men of the city or the Yumen family. Given their admiration for Xia Qingyue, they must despise Xiao Che. So long as we instigate all of them to take action, we can…"
• "Why would I need to spend so much time and effort to get the Wicked Heart Poison if things were that simple?" Yulong interrupted coldly. "Even though Xiao Che is useless, his grandfather is at the 10th level of the Soul Arcana stage. No one in Cloud City is his match. Xia Qingyue's father also dares not openly voice his dissatisfaction, for fear of offending Xiao Lie and the Xiao family. Even if the young lads from rich families are thinking of fouling the marriage, their families would definitely do whatever it takes to stop them. Also, didn't you notice that Xiao Hong is accompanying Xiao Che to the Xia residence? Who dares to cause trouble with him around?"
• Yulong laced his fingers together and cracked his knuckles as he spoke. He was taken aback by her ravishing beauty the moment he laid his eyes on Qingyue for the first time; it was the only time he lost his calm and composure. From then on, he swore to make Qingyue his woman. Yulong was infuriated when he learned that she was about to become the wife of the most useless member of the Xiao family.
• "Well… I don't think you need to worry so much." Xiao Yang peered at Yulong and said cautiously, "Qingyue doesn't even care about the rich and talented men in the city. Why would she like a nobody like Xiao Che? She's marrying him because of the pact between the families sixteen years ago. Even when they get married, she'll probably insist that Xiao Che maintain his distance from her. Once she joins the Xiao family, you'll have a lot more time to interact with her. It won't take long for Qingyue to fall in love with you given your skills and attractiveness. When the time comes…"
• Upon hearing Xiao Yang's advice, Yulong's expression softened. He tapped his nose and his eyes narrowed. "That sounds logical. Seems like it wasn't such a bad thing since that useless fool wasn't poisoned."