201: Rejection of marriage

Mo Yuhan didn't accuse her from a high horse, nor did he offer false sympathy; instead, with an almost cold rationality, he analyzed the root cause and then gave her understanding and… direction.

An unprecedented emotion, like a seedling breaking through the soil, quietly sprouted in her cold and proud heart.

Was it gratitude? Was it a feeling of knowing each other?

Or… a deeper, more hazy stirring?

Looking at Mo Yuhan's profile, which appeared especially calm and reliable in the twilight, and feeling the warmth from the black robe on her shoulder, a faint blush quietly appeared on Nalan Yanran's pale face.

Although tears were still flowing, her eyes were no longer despairing; instead, they held a different kind of brilliance.

The two walked back to the VIP seating area.

Nalan Jie had already come to greet them, looking at his granddaughter's dispirited yet strangely bright appearance, then at Mo Yuhan, his old eyes filled with gratitude: "Young Friend Mo… Thank you!"

He knew that Mo Yuhan had not only helped his granddaughter's body, but also lifted her crumbling will.

Nalan Yanran took a deep breath, pulling away from Mo Yuhan's supporting hand, but still wrapped in his black robe.

She turned around, facing Xiao Yan, who was still standing tall in the center of the square, and straightened her back.

Although her face was still pale and her tears were not dry, her eyes now held a sense of resolve and openness.

She bowed deeply in Xiao Yan's direction, her clear voice slightly hoarse but distinctly audible throughout the entire venue: "Xiao Yan! Back then, Nalan Yanran was young and impetuous, acting rashly by coming to annul the engagement, insulting the Xiao Family and you!

This matter is my fault!

Today, I, Nalan Yanran, hereby solemnly apologize to you and to the Xiao Family! I'm sorry!"

Her words were resounding, carrying all her courage.

With this apology, she felt as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, and her entire being felt much lighter.

She straightened up, looking at Xiao Yan with calm eyes, no longer avoiding his gaze or feeling humiliated.

Mo Yuhan's words echoed in her heart—this was the price, and also the beginning of liberation.

Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran's eyes, open in admission of fault, and at Mo Yuhan's robe draped over her.

At this moment, the towering anger and humiliation that had accumulated for three years in his heart strangely dissipated by more than half.

He remained silent for a long time, finally nodding slowly: "Alright, I accept the apology.

The grievances of three years… are now wiped clean!"

He withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Nalan Yanran, but instead took a deep look at Mo Yuhan, his eyes complex and unreadable.

If not for him, today's situation might not have ended so peacefully.

A storm that had swept across the Gama Empire seemed to have concluded here.

"Good! Grievances are settled, good thing! A very good thing!"

Jia Xingtian clapped his hands and laughed, breaking the slightly heavy atmosphere.

He stood up, his eyes shining as he looked at Mo Yuhan, filled with undisguised admiration and fervor.

"Young Friend Mo!"

Jia Xingtian's voice was loud, imbued with the pressure of a Dou Emperor expert, instantly attracting everyone's attention: "Elder Jia observes your conduct; it is steady and measured.

Your alchemy skills are unparalleled among your peers.

Your own cultivation is even more astonishingly brilliant! You are truly a pillar of the Gama Empire, a rare talent in a hundred years, a golden beam supporting the seas! How can such a talent be left obscured?"

He paused, his tone suddenly becoming incredibly solemn, even carrying a hint of imperial dominance, as he threw out a shocking proposal:

"Elder Jia, on behalf of the Gama Empire's imperial family, officially invites you.

If you are willing, Elder Jia will immediately make the decision to betroth the Empire's eldest princess—Yaoye Princess—to you.

Yaoye Princess's beauty, talent, and ability, I presume you are aware, are truly the Empire's pearl.

After your marriage, Yaoye Princess will be your official wife.

And the throne of this Gama Empire… will be yours.

You and Yaoye Princess will jointly govern, establishing the foundation for the Empire's eternal prosperity, how about it?"

Boom—!!!

As soon as these words were uttered, it was as if a meteorite had been cast into a calm lake!

The entire Yunlan Plaza instantly fell into a deathly silence!

You could hear a pin drop!

Everyone was stunned by this sudden and astonishing offer.

Including Fa Ma, Hai Bodong, Yun Leng in the VIP seats, and Nalan Jie and Nalan Yanran, who had just calmed their emotions.

Marry Princess Yaoye Princess?

Inherit the Gama Empire's throne?!

This was simply… a meteoric rise!

Directly becoming the future ruler of the Empire!

Countless gazes instantly focused on Mo Yuhan like spotlights.

There was shock, envy, jealousy, and even disbelief!

To win over Mo Yuhan, the imperial family was willing to pay such an earth-shattering price; it was practically betting the entire Empire's future on him.

Nalan Yanran's pretty face, which had just regained a hint of color, instantly turned pale again.

She subconsciously clutched Mo Yuhan's outer robe draped over her, her amethyst-like eyes fixed on Mo Yuhan's profile, her heart feeling as if an invisible hand had clenched it tightly.

She was so nervous she could barely breathe.

Would he agree? Becoming the Empire's imperial son-in-law, the future emperor… Who could resist such a temptation?

Princess Yaoye Princess herself was also sitting in the VIP seats at this moment.

Her originally cold and majestic pretty face instantly flushed crimson the moment Jia Xingtian's words fell.

It was as if she had been dyed by the most brilliant sunset.

She suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with shock, shyness, bewilderment, and a hint of… anticipation that she herself hadn't even noticed?

She had never expected that her imperial grandfather would, in such a setting, in such a manner, so directly "betroth" her.

And the object was that dazzling Mo Yuhan, who made her feel so conflicted.

She subconsciously looked at Mo Yuhan, her heart pounding like a drum, waiting for his response.

Would it be rejection? Or… acceptance?

A strange look flashed in Hai Bodong's eyes as he looked at Jia Xingtian; this old fellow had really gone all out.

Fa Ma stroked his beard, deep in thought, seemingly not surprised.

Yun Leng's face, however, turned extremely ugly; if the imperial family gained this young man, their future suppression of the Yunlan Sect would be even more terrifying.

Under the gaze of tens of thousands, Mo Yuhan's expression remained calm, as if what Jia Xingtian had offered was not a throne, but an ordinary invitation.

He understood that this was the imperial family's ultimate investment in the value he had demonstrated.

But what he pursued had never been power or wealth.

He bowed slightly to Jia Xingtian, his tone calm but with an undeniable firmness:

"Elder Jia's kindness makes this junior extremely humbled.

Princess Yaoye Princess is a beauty of the highest caliber, possessing both talent and virtue, truly the Empire's pearl; how could this junior presume to aspire to her?

As for the imperial succession, it concerns the Empire's prosperity for thousands of generations and is not a trivial matter.

This junior's ambition lies in the path of alchemy, pursuing the peak of Dou Qi, longing for the vastness of the heavens and earth, rather than a single authority.

I fear I cannot shoulder such a heavy responsibility, nor do I wish to be bound by it, thus failing to live up to Elder Jia's good intentions and Princess Yaoye Princess's lifetime.

I ask Elder Jia to please withdraw your decree."