「Lingjin City's North District.」

The Lingjin River flowed through this part of the city, with Yunluo Mountain at its back. Flanked by mountains and facing the water, the location was not only picturesque but also an auspicious place to live according to feng shui.

As expected, this area had become an affluent district in Lingjin City.

Just two kilometers from Yunluo Mountain was a small, quaint courtyard. It stood in stark contrast to the neighboring high-rises, almost seeming out of place, yet it blended perfectly with the natural surroundings.

The Sun Family Mansion was located within this courtyard.

Today, the Sun Family was much livelier than usual. Not only had the direct descendants of the main family returned, but they had also welcomed the key members of the Leng Family, one of the four great super-clans.

Today was for the engagement, but it was primarily a preliminary meeting for the two families to chat, discuss details, and finalize a date for the official engagement banquet. Therefore, aside from the two families, no other relatives or friends had been invited.

Sun Yuli's mother, Du Jun, was dressed with particular elegance today, her face wreathed in smiles. From the moment the Leng Family members stepped through the door, she personally escorted them to the rear garden, where tea and fresh fruit had already been prepared.

The usually haughty and rebellious Sun Wen had also lowered his stance today. While interacting with the Leng Family, he even showed hints of fawning and flattery. In truth, it wasn't just Sun Wen; many members of the Sun Family adopted the same posture.

Although their Sun Family was one of the eight major families, they were still insignificant before a super-clan like the Leng Family.

The Patriarch of the Leng Family, Leng Aotian, was seated in the seat of honor. Dressed in a black brocade suit, he was full of vigor, his eyes like torches. He commanded an imposing presence without showing any anger. Although he leaned on a cane, one would never guess he was a man past sixty.

Seated with him was Sun Yuli's grandfather, the Family Head of the Sun Family, Sun Lihua. Though also dignified, he still fell quite short when compared to Leng Aotian.

Leng Lingyun stood quietly to the side, appearing humble and gracious.

"Where is Yu? Why haven't I seen her?" Leng Aotian asked.

Sun Lihua glanced at Du Jun, who hastily replied, "She was on the phone. She'll be here shortly."

Leng Aotian nodded, then changed the subject. "Since we are all here today, we should discuss everything, whether pleasant or not, to avoid any irresolvable misunderstandings in the future."

"Yes, of course!" Sun Lihua nodded repeatedly, as this was what he had hoped for.

"Then I will begin," Leng Aotian said flatly. "You must all know that Lingyun is the heir to the position of Patriarch of the Leng Family. Soon, this commercial empire of ours will be under his control."

"Given his social standing and the customs of our Leng Family, he will certainly marry more than one wife. I trust you can accept this?" Leng Aotian didn't look at the other members of the Sun Family, his gaze fixed solely on Sun Lihua as he spoke.

As he said this, the expressions of the Leng Family members, including Leng Lingyun, remained unchanged. For them, such a thing was as normal as eating or drinking. Take Leng Aotian himself, for example. The number of women he had formally married was already more than five. If one included his mistresses, he probably couldn't count them all on both hands.

For the Sun Family, however, this was a massive shock. A visible change came over all their faces, their gazes turning strange.

In this day and age, they still maintain such a backward custom of polygamy? And they call it a family tradition... hah...

Unsettling as it was, no one dared to voice their dissent. It was not their place to speak.

Facing Leng Aotian's direct gaze, Sun Lihua forced an awkward smile. "Since it is a Leng Family tradition, we will naturally respect it. As long as Yu becomes the principal wife after she marries into your family, it's not a major issue."

"Principal wife?" Leng Aotian frowned. "I cannot guarantee that. It will primarily depend on Yu's performance after she marries into the Leng Family."

Sun Lihua was left speechless.

Does that mean after Sun Yuli marries over, she might just be a concubine with no official standing? This...

After all, his Sun Family was one of the eight great families of Lingjin City, and Sun Yuli herself had considerable achievements in the Martial Department. Yet after joining the Leng Family, she couldn't even be guaranteed the position of principal wife? This, he had to admit, was truly excessive.

Seeing Sun Lihua's silence, Leng Aotian quietly sipped his tea and said nothing more.

Sun Wen leaned toward Du Jun and whispered, "Mother, were you able to contact the Zhennan Prince?"

"No. They say the Zhennan Prince hasn't been at the Martial Department recently," Du Jun replied helplessly, shaking her head. "Besides, your grandfather said that the Zhennan Prince is someone our Sun Family could never hope to associate with. He told us to abandon such unrealistic ideas sooner rather than later."

"Alas, it seems my sister will have to be wronged." Sun Wen sighed but showed no sign of indignation or displeasure. In his view, since his sister could not aim for the Zhennan Prince, marrying Leng Lingyun was a must. Only through this union could the Sun Family's status soar and allow them to suppress the other local families in Lingjin City.

After a moment, Sun Lihua forced a smile. "Regarding this matter, I still think it's best if we can confirm it now."

"It cannot be confirmed," Leng Aotian declared bluntly.

Throughout the entire exchange, his expression remained as placid as an ancient well, completely unperturbed, not showing the slightest ripple of emotion.

Arrogant! Just as his name, Aotian, implied, his arrogance reached the heavens. He gave off the impression that no one in this world was worthy of his notice.

Sun Lihua gave a wry smile. He couldn't believe this old man would not give him even the slightest bit of face.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the garden grew heavy.

Of course, the oppressive feeling was only felt by the Sun Family. In contrast, the members of the Leng Family leisurely sipped their tea, many of their lips curled in blatant disdain and mockery.

The insignificant Sun Family dares to negotiate terms with us, the Leng Family? They truly don't know their place! Our presence here today, and our agreement to let Sun Yuli marry into the Leng Family, is already a tremendous gift.

"Confirm what, exactly?"

Sun Yuli walked over, her arms crossed in front of her chest, her face a mask of disdain. She hadn't made any special effort to dress up today. She wore a simple casual outfit with flat shoes, and her makeup had not been carefully applied.

Sun Lihua frowned. "Yu, what kind of tone is that?"

"What kind of tone is that?" Sun Yuli laughed, then pointed at Leng Aotian. "Why don't you ask him about his tone? What's there to be so arrogant about? Does he even see our Sun Family as people?"

"Family customs? Isn't that just an excuse to take more wives? It's one thing to be shameless, but to be so proud of it?" Sun Yuli scoffed.

"You..." Sun Lihua's face darkened.

The expressions of the others present turned grim. Her words were utterly outrageous!

Leng Aotian glanced at Sun Yuli, slowly set down his teacup, and turned back to Sun Lihua. "With a temperament like that, she will never be the principal wife of my Leng Family."

"As if I'd want to be! Besides, have I ever said I wanted to marry into your Leng Family?" Sun Yuli shot back with a laugh. She was not one to tolerate such insults, and her temper flared. She continued, "I already have someone I love! And compared to him, your pathetic Leng Family is nothing!"

SLAP!

Sun Lihua slammed his palm on the table, shot to his feet, and roared at Sun Yuli, "Yu, shut your mouth!"

"Ah, no need to get angry," Leng Aotian said, stopping Sun Lihua with a gesture. He smiled with great interest. "Let her speak. I am very curious to see who, in all of Lingjin City, can possibly rank above my Leng Family."

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