"My Lord, this woman is too insolent. If the Prince learns of this, he will surely be enraged!" Steward Zhao said coldly.
"You cannot touch her!"
Bai Xi continued to protect Chu Ting, his expression earnest.
With no other recourse, Steward Zhao turned to the Chu Family Head. "The Young Lord is of noble status, yet no one dares to insult him like this. How does the Chu family intend to handle today's matter?"
"Rest assured, sir, I will discipline her properly!" the Chu Family Head said repeatedly. "I will not disappoint you!"
"That is for the best!"
Steward Zhao said coldly, "Since she is someone the Young Lord fancies, I will not haggle with her. But if she dares to offend the Young Lord again, the Eighth Prince's Estate is not to be trifled with!"
"Naturally, naturally!"
The Chu Family Head nodded quickly, thoroughly frightened. Offending the Eighth Prince's Estate would be akin to the Chu family courting death.
"I have already secured the finest accommodations at the Drunken Immortal Tower. Sir and Young Lord, please proceed there first. I will host everyone at the Drunken Immortal Tower tonight," the Chu Family Head said.
Steward Zhao nodded slightly and left with Bai Xi, feeling somewhat displeased with the day's events.
After Steward Zhao departed, the Chu Family Head went to Chu Ting's side and slapped her. "How dare you offend the Young Lord! Do you know that if things go wrong, the entire Chu family could be buried with you!"
With these words, Chu Ting cried, "Did you know all along that the Eighth Prince's Estate's Young Lord is an imbecile!"
"If the Eighth Prince's Estate's Young Lord were a normal person, how could the Chu family possibly ascend to such heights?" the Chu Family Head said coldly. "If you cannot see through this, when will you ever grow up!"
"I would rather not grow up than see through such things!"
Chu Ting cried and left the assembly hall. She had never imagined that the person she was to marry was a fool.
"Family Head, what should we do?"
The clan elders frowned, their expressions grave. They had clearly not anticipated the situation turning out this way.
"Tonight, we will host the people from the Eighth Prince's Estate. Elders, please accompany me. As for this matter, it cannot be allowed to stand!"
The Chu Family Head said coldly, "Since ancient times, parental orders are not to be defied!"
The clan elders exchanged glances, unsure of what to do. They could see that the Chu Family Head was resolute this time.
Chu Ting left the assembly hall but was encountered by Long Yi and others. Seeing the scene before them, everyone was at a loss.
They had heard about what had just happened and could not believe that the Chu Family Head would marry Chu Ting to a fool just to climb the social ladder.
"The Chu family's actions are indeed rather questionable!" Han Feng frowned. "Given Chu Ting's personality, she will likely resist to the death!"
"You understand him quite well!"
Li Ziming gave a wry smile and headed towards the Chu family's assembly hall. He wanted to ask the Chu family what they were thinking.
Upon arriving at the assembly hall, Li Ziming cupped his fists. "I am the young master of the Li family. I pay my respects to all elders!"
"So it is Ziming!"
The Chu Family Head smiled. "Why be so formal? You have suddenly come to the assembly hall, what is the matter?"
"Uncle Chu, when the Chu and Li families established the engagement, many people were witnesses. Does that no longer count?" Li Ziming asked directly.
"Chu Ting is unwilling, and I am helpless!"
The Chu Family Head smiled. "When you return, please convey my apologies to your father!"
"So, Uncle Chu is respecting Chu Ting's wishes and canceling the marriage?"
"Naturally!"
The Chu Family Head nodded. "I am quite reasonable. If not, I would not be able to find a husband for her so quickly!"
"Since that is the case, Chu Ting just told me that she is not interested in the Royal Young Lord, and I hope Uncle Chu will not make things difficult for her!" Li Ziming said.
"Presumptuous! The Li family and the Chu family are on good terms, and I did not wish to speak harshly. Yet, you are pushing your luck!"
The Chu Family Head said coldly, "What kind of existence is the Eighth Prince's Estate? How can your Li family compare!"
The expressions of the elders present changed. In Yunzhou, both the Chu and Li families were among the three great families. If they fell out, it would not be a good thing.
"Uncle Chu just said that no matter what, he would respect Chu Ting!" Li Ziming smiled. "I hope Uncle Chu will keep his word!"
"Do not think that just because you are the young master of the Li family, I dare not act against you!"
The Chu Family Head said coldly, "Chu Ting's matters are decided by me alone. Why should outsiders interfere!"
"I dare not defy Uncle Chu's decision, but I hope Uncle Chu will reconsider," Li Ziming said before striding away, with a hint of arrogance. He was extremely displeased with the Chu family's actions.
"You scoundrel, daring to tell me what to do!"
The Chu Family Head was furious and extremely displeased. However, since Li Ziming was the young master of the Li family, the Chu family could not act rashly.
"Family Head, are we still attending the banquet tonight?" one of the elders asked.
"Of course, we are!"
The Chu Family Head nodded. "This opportunity must not be missed!"
The clan elders nodded, not daring to object.
Leaving the assembly hall, Li Ziming went to the Chu family's backyard and found Chu Ting squatting amidst a sea of flowers, weeping bitterly.
"Come with me!"
Li Ziming said, "Marrying that fool will not bring you happiness!"
"The world is vast, yet it is all just earth. Where can I go!"
Chu Ting gave a wry smile. "Perhaps this is fate!"
"No, as long as you are willing to leave!"
Li Ziming's expression was earnest. "Leave the White Dragon Dynasty. In this vast Spirit Realm, there is always a place to hide!"
"Are you willing to go with me?" Chu Ting asked.
"Of course!"
Li Ziming nodded. "I know you have no feelings for me, but I cannot stand by and watch you fall into despair!"
"Alright, we will leave tonight!"
Chu Ting nodded. She did not want to stay in the Chu family for another moment. Now, she finally understood that in the eyes of her family, she was merely a tool for their gain.
There was no point in staying with such a family any longer.
Meanwhile, at the Drunken Immortal Tower, the Chu Family Head personally poured wine for Steward Zhao and the others. "Sir, I hope you will be understanding regarding today's matter!"
"I do not mind, as long as the Young Lord does not," Steward Zhao said indifferently.
"I do not mind, I naturally do not mind!"
Bai Xi nodded repeatedly, appearing foolish.
"Steward Zhao, this Spirit Energy Bead is a treasure of the Chu family. It can enhance cultivation and is a rare item," the Chu Family Head said, presenting a bead. "I hope you will accept it."
"You are too kind, Chu Family Head!"
Steward Zhao was quite satisfied. He had received many such items, so he did not pay it much mind.
Seeing this, the Chu family elders felt a pang of pain. This was a treasure of the Chu family, and now it was being given away so readily.
Normally, even when they wanted to absorb a little spirit energy, the Chu Family Head was reluctant to provide it. Now, he had given away the Spirit Bead.
"We will be returning to the capital tomorrow. Have Miss Chu prepare herself. Once she enters the Eighth Prince's Estate, your Chu family will also prosper," Steward Zhao stated.