There's an old saying that one won't strike a smiling face. Although Jin Tiegang, as a servant in Fang Clan Town, has a strong presence that makes Fang Lan detest him, his careful flattery along the trip has somewhat eased her anger. She's no longer staying stone-faced while Jin Tiegang, a powerful cultivator, pleads his case.

"Mr. Jin, I don't hold you responsible for this," Fang Lan finally spoke.

"Miss Fang, your understanding is truly a relief..." Jin Tiegang's face filled with joy. If he can successfully handle this matter, his standing in Jin Ming's heart would significantly increase.

That's just how people are, playing politics according to their position. Jin Tiegang serves at Jin Ming's pleasure, so he naturally has to consider his lord's interests. Simultaneously, this also equals considering for himself.

However, Fang Lan interrupted him: "Mr. Jin, you've misunderstood. I don't blame you because you're simply doing another's bidding for money. You're part of the Jin Family, and naturally, you must work for them. So, in this matter, I don't blame you. However, I will never agree to marry Jin Ming. I already have someone in my heart. He won't give me up, and I won't give him up either."

Though Fang Lan's tone was gentle, her determination was unmistakable.

Jin Tiegang forced a bitter smile, his eyebrows furrowing as he sighed, "Miss Fang, why must you do this? You're still young! Though I, Old Jin, may lack impressive achievements, I've lived long enough to see things more clearly than you. Someday you'll understand the reason behind my words."

"Mr. Jin, I understand reason, but matters of the heart require mutual consent." Fang Lan said softly, "They can't be forced."

As she spoke, Fang Lan pulled back the curtain of the carriage, revealing her stunning face and serene gaze directed at Jin Tiegang.

An ironic smile appeared on Jin Tiegang's face. "Miss Fang, I must counter your point. You say emotions require mutual consent?"

Fang Lan looked at Jin Tiegang, "Isn't that the case?"

"Absolutely not!" Jin Tiegang laughed: "Look at Jinxiu City, full of influential families, including my Jin Family. I can't say for elsewhere, but in Jinxiu City, we're considered a top family, aren't we?"

Fang Lan nodded silently. Just a top family in Jinxiu City? The Jin Family was far more than that.

She had tried all sorts of methods to break from the grasp of Jin Ming who had taken fancy to her, all leading to failure.

However, this made her understand more than anyone else the enormous power that the Jin Family holds in Jinxiu City. She heard rumors of some Jin Family descendants being admitted into the prestigious sects in Spirit Realm. Even more astonishing was a legend about the Jin Family having a Primordial Infant realm elder!

Although it was just a legend, the Jin Family appeared like an insurmountable mountain to her.

Unless she wanted to destroy her family completely, there's no escaping this marriage she's being forced into.

Jin Tiegang went on speaking, "Even a distinguished family like Jin's, its children, especially the legitimate ones, can't make their own marital decisions!"

Fang Lan was slightly stunned. It seemed inconceivable.

Jin Tiegang sighed, "Only if they had choice, our Eighth Young Master would straightforwardly take you as his wife!"

Though Fang Lan didn't like Jin Ming, she was, after all, a woman. Any woman would be moved when a man cared so much about her. So facing Jin Tiegang's words, she could only remain silent.

"This applies to the Eighth Young Master, the Eldest, Second, and Third Masters, and even those daughters who are treated like little princesses in the family. They are all powerless to resist! They must obey family rules. It would be considered a blessing from the heavens to find a spouse they genuinely get along with. Otherwise, they may share little in their life but bound together nonetheless for mutual interests. Miss Fang, are they free? If they could choose, would they choose this?" Jin Tiegang went all out to build rapport with his prospective Young Mistress, revealing all.

Fang Lan was stunned silent after hearing this and became exceptionally still.

He didn't say much else, knowing that she was a smart girl. Although she might be obstinate for now, she would eventually understand.

Would it be better to marry a poor guy from the townships with no prospects? Or would it be better to marry a young master from a wealthy family? People might have different choices, but, from a bystander's perspective, eight out of ten people would choose the latter.

Wedding a rich family's son does not guarantee perfect love. But does marrying a poor guy from the town guarantee love either?

After all, marriage involves more than just love.

Inside the carriage, however, Fang Lan's heart remained as firm as before. She firmly believed that the one she loved would never give up on her, just as she would never give up on him.

Outside the carriage, the Jin's guards were secretly giving Jin Tiegang thumbs-ups, admiring their master's brilliance. Not only was he powerful, but his words could almost bring the dead back to life. He was able to redefine abducting a civilian girl as providing an opportunity of a lifetime. How commendable.

However, Jin Tiegang didn't seem to take much pleasure in it. Back before he joined the Jin Family, he was an energetic young man with a childhood sweetheart just like himself.

His story was, however, more tragic. His sweetheart didn't leave him due to forced circumstances but willingly chose to be with a guy from an influential family in the city. This had a massive impact on Jin Tiegang. Consequently, he dedicated himself to cultivation, and through fortunate circumstances, he joined the Jin Family, starting as a common guard. Recognizing that he was diligent and talented, the family leader provided him with Foundation Establishment materials. He was given the Jin surname and promoted to a caretaker position. Serving under Jin Ming was a big leap in terms of status.

The ambitious Jin Tiegang once thought about what his childhood sweetheart would think if she saw him now. So, he did just that. He returned to his hometown with a large entourage and met with his first love.

Watching her family trembling before him, listening to her beg him not to trouble her husband, he felt no satisfaction from revenge. Instead, a profound feeling of disappointment surged within him, mixed with an absurd sense of monotony.

"If I had been wealthy back then, she wouldn't have left. But back then, I was just a poor guy. She simply chose a better path. Was she wrong?" Jin Tiegang asked himself. If he were in her shoes, he probably would've made the same choice.

So, he didn't trouble her family, shame her husband, or even give her a second look.

He just smiled a bit and took his people away.

Throughout this time, he never looked back at her once.

But he felt her eyes on his back the whole time.

From then on, the naive and simple Jin Tiegang from the small town died, and in his place rose the high-ranking manager of the Jin Family in Jinxiu City.

Soon, the caravan reached a valley, Jin Tiegang, riding on his horse, looked towards the lush mountains in the distance, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

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