Her second aunt no longer bothered to hide her intentions.
She said directly, "Little Ling, I speak plainly, so please don't take offense! The children of our Lan clan are all exceptional. Whether it's marriage or other matters, we always prioritize matching families."
"Take my eldest son, for instance. He's a seventh-rank deputy lieutenant in the Governor's Mansion. Young and with a boundless future, I've arranged for him to marry the daughter of the Hu family in Tianchu City. They are truly a perfect match, destined for each other!"
"My younger son, Sun Jian, is also a man of great talent and possesses extremely high alchemy talent. In the future, even if he doesn't become a Profound Grade Alchemist, he'll surely be a top-tier Yellow Grade Alchemist!"
"I've already found a suitable marriage for him, a union with another prominent family in Tianchu City."
"Furthermore, like Xiu Yu and Ke Yu sisters, they are both outstanding. Suitors are constantly coming forward, all of them exceptional young men from distinguished families!"
Her second aunt said proudly.
Sun Jian and the Nong Xiu Yu sisters held their heads high, beaming with pride.
"I'm giving these examples to illustrate what 'matching families' means. Little Ling, please don't be upset. I'm not looking down on you; I'm just stating facts."
"Someone like Xue Yi, a peerless prodigy with both talent and beauty, must be given a good home within our Lan clan. We cannot let her talent and potential be wasted."
"Regarding your marriage, your father, the third brother, might not have been as attentive back then. The decision was made hastily without consulting our Lan clan's opinions. However, it's not too late, and there's still room for rectification."
Ling Fan listened and offered a noncommittal smile.
Lan Xue Yi wanted to speak, but he stopped her.
Ling Fan said, "According to you, Xue Yi would be wasting herself by being with me. Aunt, I understand your meaning. What is your opinion, or rather, what is the Lan clan's opinion?"
Her second aunt thought to herself, saying it directly would be too blunt!
She had spent so much time beating around the bush with you, all to make you understand the vast chasm between you and Xue Yi, and to make you retreat voluntarily.
Since you insist on humiliating yourself, I'll oblige!
Her second aunt's tone changed, and she sneered, "My opinion is also the Lan clan's opinion. Let me be blunt: we do not approve of this marriage! We intend for Xue Yi to divorce you and regain her freedom."
Before Ling Fan could speak.
Lan Xue Yi suddenly stood up, her expression turning cold. "Aunt, you've had too much to drink! I will pretend I didn't hear anything you said today, but I want to tell you my stance: I will be Little Fan's woman for life, and no one can change that."
Her second aunt and her younger aunt's faces turned extremely unpleasant!
They thought, why is this girl so foolish?
We are doing this for your own good!
Why don't you appreciate it!
What kind of spell has this good-for-nothing cast on you?
Her second aunt, with a stern face, looked at Lan Tian Xiong and said, "Third brother, Xue Yi is young and doesn't understand. As her father, you can't just let her act out. This is also the Old Madam's wish."
Lan Tian Xiong waved his hand. "The Old Madam's wishes are irrelevant! You want to break up my daughter and son-in-law? Dream on! My daughter's attitude is our couple's attitude. Second sister, don't waste your efforts."
Her second aunt was so enraged she trembled all over.
She felt this family was utterly unreasonable!
"Third brother, you can't make this decision. Just wait and see!"
Her second aunt uttered this harsh threat.
Lan Jun Jie thought she would storm out in anger.
However...
Her second aunt sat back down and began to eat and drink heartily again.
Her demeanor suggested she was venting all her anger onto the delicious food.
Lan Jun Jie inwardly grumbled, "Good heavens, she's not playing by the rules! She can still stay after such a confrontation."
She ate as if no one else was present.
Her thick skin was truly cultivated to perfection.
Sun Jian, sitting next to his second aunt, had likely drunk too much.
He excused himself to the restroom midway, intending to lighten his stomach before continuing the feast. As soon as he returned to the private room, he began shouting boisterously.
His face was flushed with excitement.
"Mom, Mom! Guess who I just saw?"
His second aunt asked curiously, "Who did you see?"
"Alchemist Qian from the Pill Pavilion! He's dining in the adjacent Tingchao Xuan private room!"
Sun Jian exclaimed excitedly.
Her second aunt jolted, exclaiming in disbelief, "What, are you talking about the renowned Alchemist Qian Yuan of Tianchu City!"
"Yes! It's him! When I took the apprentice examination at the Pill Pavilion, he was the chief examiner. He didn't pass me, so I have a very deep impression of him. I would never mistake him."
Her second aunt clapped her hands and laughed heartily, "Haha, son, a golden opportunity has arrived!"
"If Alchemist Qian sees you coming out of the Chunjiangyue private room, he'll think highly of you. Then, seize the chance to beg him to take you as a disciple, and I'm sure he won't refuse."
Sun Jian's eyes instantly lit up like two light bulbs.
It was as if he could already see himself being accepted as a disciple by a famous top-tier Yellow Grade Alchemist, envisioning the glory that would follow.
"Mom, what are we waiting for? Let's go quickly."
Under normal circumstances, her second aunt and Sun Jian would never dare to provoke a distinguished figure like a top-tier Yellow Grade Alchemist.
They wouldn't even have the chance to encounter him.
However, having entered the Chunjiangyue private room today, their confidence gradually swelled.
They felt as if they had been gilded within this private room, their status and prestige soaring accordingly.
Coupled with the fact that her second aunt and Sun Jian were both heavy drinkers, having consumed an unknown amount of fine wine.
Both of them were somewhat intoxicated!
Thus, they reached an agreement.
The two immediately decided to go to the Tingchao Xuan private room to seek discipleship.
Her younger aunt and her two daughters also became incredibly excited upon hearing this.
A top-tier Yellow Grade Alchemist!
This was a truly influential figure whose status was comparable to peak Profound Gang realm or even quasi-Heavenly Origin realm experts.
With a casual refinement of a top-tier Yellow Grade pill, he could stir up a frenzy among numerous top Profound Gang realm powerhouses.
How could they miss such an opportunity to meet a distinguished figure?
Even if they couldn't get acquainted with one or two influential figures, simply accompanying them to broaden their horizons would provide bragging rights in the future.
What if Alchemist Qian, in a good mood.
Bestowed them with a Yellow Grade top-tier pill or two, they would be making a fortune!
"Second Aunt, please, can you take us along to see the world? I've never seen a top-tier Yellow Grade Alchemist before!"
Nong Xiu Yu pleaded.
Her second aunt, full of high spirits, already envisioned herself as a successful disciple even before going. She said:
"Why not? Just follow along! You can all witness the glorious moment of my son becoming a disciple of a top-tier Yellow Grade Alchemist!"
"Second sister, you are truly blessed. Our Lan clan has never produced an alchemist! In the future, when Sun Jian becomes an alchemist, he must look out for us."
"If you could introduce my two daughters to a Yellow Grade Alchemist, that would be even better!"
Her younger aunt fawned.