Leng Aotian seemed unassuming, but his sharp arrogance was on full display. It was an arrogance and dominance that came from his very bones. He picked up his teacup again and took a gentle sip, his demeanor calm, composed, and brimming with confidence.

Beside him, Leng Lingyun frowned. The moment Sun Yuli finished speaking, his mind immediately flashed to Chen Yang. The brief encounter at Zang Xiang Pavilion had left an indelible impression on him.

Could it be him? The mere thought sent an involuntary shudder through his body. Though they claimed to be just 'martial friends,' feelings were another matter entirely…

Leng Lingyun couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.

Stepping forward, he whispered to Leng Aotian, "Grandfather, Yu, she…"

"Shut up! You have no say here!" Leng Aotian interrupted him bluntly, his tone indifferent. "You don't need to say anything. Although this is about getting you a wife, it concerns the honor of our Leng Family."

"But…"

Leng Aotian's head whipped around, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "I told you to shut up. Are you deaf?!"

Meanwhile, Du Jun hurried over to Sun Yuli, trying to dissuade her anxiously. "I know you're talking about Chen Yang, but let me tell you, that guy has serious character flaws! I invited him for tea, and he bought the entire teahouse just to show off in my face!"

"He flaunted a mere few tens of millions in front of me. Can you imagine how low-class a person has to be to do that? What is he compared to our Sun Family? And how could he possibly compare to the Leng Family?"

With that, she leaned closer to Sun Yuli and lowered her voice. "I may not be able to help you land a top-tier man like the Zhennan Prince, but Leng Lingyun isn't bad either! Besides, you're already marrying up by joining the Leng Family."

Sun Yuli couldn't help but laugh. So, in her quest to climb the social ladder, my own mother actually tried to contact the Zhennan Prince?

Taken aback, she retorted, "Mom, you have the nerve to bring up the teahouse? Weren't you the one who insulted him first? You call him low-class, but how high-class is your own behavior?"

Du Jun was rendered speechless by the comeback.

Beside them, Sun Wen quickly spoke up to back up Du Jun. "Sister, why can't you tell what's good for you? Even if that guy has some money, he's just an upstart with no class. What gives him the right to be compared to the Leng Family?"

"To put it bluntly, in front of the Leng Family, he's less than nothing!"

Sun Wen's tone gradually softened as he continued, "Sister, we're only thinking of you! In all of Lingjin City, could you find a better man than Leng Lingyun?"

"Thinking of what's best for me? How can you say that without blushing?" Sun Yuli's face flushed red, and tears welled in her eyes. "For your own petty schemes, you're willing to let me become someone's concubine?"

"Hah! Are you really my family?!" Sun Yuli's gaze swept across every member of the Sun Family as she questioned them sharply.

At first, she hadn't really cared about the arranged marriage. If she truly refused, she could have involved the Martial Department. Who would dare force her then? But after hearing their words, her heart was truly wounded, and a chill spread through her entire body.

"Sister, you're just being stubborn! The Patriarch of the Leng Family said you have a chance to become the main wife if you behave yourself! Besides, even in the absolute worst-case scenario, isn't being a concubine still better than what others could hope for?" Sun Wen pressed on, unmoved. "They're one of the four great super families. Don't you understand what that means?"

"What is all this noise about?" Leng Aotian raised an eyebrow and pointed at Sun Yuli. "Tell me, who is this person who can stomp the Leng Family under their feet?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a young figure appeared not far away, approaching at an unhurried pace while looking around.

"Why the hell is that bastard here?" Sun Wen grumbled, instantly furious.

Sun Yuli's face, however, lit up with joy. She turned to Leng Aotian and said, "You want to know? Go ask him yourself!"

The newcomer was, indeed, Chen Yang.

Instantly, every eye in the room focused on Chen Yang, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Chen Yang smiled awkwardly and waved a greeting. "Hello, everyone. I'm Yu's martial friend. My name is Chen Yang."

He was humble and polite. But for that very reason, many of them immediately looked down on him.

He looks so ordinary, the kind of person you could find anywhere on the street. How could he possibly compare to Young Master Leng Lingyun?

As Chen Yang got closer, he noticed Sun Yuli's red-rimmed eyes, still brimming with tears. He paused. "Why are you crying?"

"It's nothing!" Sun Yuli wiped at her eyes and broke into a wide smile.

It was obvious she was genuinely happy. She smiled so broadly her eyes narrowed into crescents, her two deep dimples making her look utterly adorable.

"HUMPH!"

Seeing Sun Yuli beam at another man, Leng Aotian snorted coldly. "Yu tells me that because of you, my Lingyun isn't good enough for her? And that my entire Leng Family means nothing in your eyes?"

"It's just childish nonsense, Old Mr. Leng. Please don't take it to heart!" Du Jun interjected hastily, shooting Chen Yang a glare so vicious it was as if she wanted to devour him whole. If only I knew this would happen, I should have listened to Sun Wen that day and used some other means to take care of him!

Unable to control his trembling, Leng Lingyun collapsed onto a nearby chair, nearly falling to the ground.

Leng Aotian frowned. "Lingyun, what are you doing?"

"I... I..." Cold sweat poured down Leng Lingyun's face. His mind felt like a stampede of ten thousand beasts. How could this guy possibly be here?!

The crowd frowned. What's wrong with this kid?

Leng Aotian grew even angrier. As the Young Family Master of the Leng Family, he was supposed to be mature and steady, a commanding presence. What was this pathetic display?

His anger immediately shifted to Chen Yang. "Boy, I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?"

"And who are you?" Chen Yang raised an eyebrow, annoyed at being targeted by unprovoked hostility the moment he arrived.

Leng Aotian stated grimly, "I am the Patriarch of the Leng Family, Leng Aotian!"

"And?"

The corner of Leng Aotian's mouth twitched. "Kid, are you provoking me?" he snarled.

Chen Yang's anger flared. "Who the hell do you think you are? Do I even know you?"

Leng Aotian was speechless.

The rest of the crowd was stunned into silence.

What is with this guy?

"How dare you speak to Old Mr. Leng like that?" Sun Wen roared. "You ill-mannered trash! I order you to get on your knees and apologize to Old Mr. Leng this instant!"

It would be one thing if this guy brought disaster upon himself, but this was happening at the Sun estate. If they got dragged into it, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Leng Aotian stared at Chen Yang with a sinister expression, saying nothing more.

It was Leng Lingyun who, scared out of his wits and pale as a ghost, dared not delay a second longer. He stammered frantically, "Grandfather, he... he's the Governor I told you about before!"

"Wha-what?!"

Leng Aotian froze, then shot up from his chair. His deep-set eyes went wide, flashing with utter horror and astonishment.

He... he's the Nine Gates Admiral, the Zhennan Prince?!

Leng Lingyun's voice trembled. "I was trying to tell you earlier, but you wouldn't give me a chance to speak!"

Leng Aotian was once again left speechless.

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