4: Chapter 4 My son, Emperor Teng, is guaranteed to win.

The next day, as dawn was just breaking, the Zhuge Family was already crowded with guests.

A large troop of men and horses carrying flags with the character "Wang" appeared at the Zhuge Family's entrance.

Relying on his family's vast wealth and power, the second young master of the Wang family, Wang Teng, didn't even bother to pay his respects to the elders of the Zhuge Family.

Instead, he turned toward the side courtyard with practiced ease.

There, he gathered with several disciples from the Zhuge Family's side branches whom he had previously caroused with.

He left only his mother behind to boast to the Zhuge Family elders about how much her son, Wang Teng, possessed the bearing of a Great Emperor.

Most of the Zhuge Family elders were furious but didn't dare to speak up.

Great Wei occupied the most prosperous land of the Nine Provinces Continent, and its national strength was formidable.

Meanwhile, the original orthodox immortal dynasty, Great Qian...

...could only shrink back into the southwest corner, barely holding on by relying on geographical advantages.

Not to mention the Great Wei imperial family...

...even the Wang Family's private army was likely stronger and better equipped than the soldiers of Great Qian.

As Wang Teng strolled around, he eventually led several people to the main hall of the Zhuge Family.

He then found the gilded chair that only the family head was permitted to sit in and plopped himself down.

He fanned himself with a gaudy gold-inlaid folding fan and raised his voice deliberately, afraid that others wouldn't hear him.

"To think the dignified Heavenly Secret Zhuge Clan has now fallen so low that they must rely on marrying off a concubine's daughter to save face?"

"Oh, I heard that Zhuge Jinyu is a 'jinx' who brought death to her own elder brother?"

"Marrying into my Wang clan as a concubine can be considered putting her to good use."

Although the fair-weather friends by his side were members of the Zhuge Family, their hearts had long since defected to the other side.

Moreover, this Wang Teng was a genius with a Golden Core Great Perfection cultivation level; how could these side-branch disciples afford to offend him?

They could only hurriedly offer fawning smiles and agree.

"Young Master Wang is right. Aside from having some good looks, how could that little girl be worth even one-ten-thousandth of you, Second Young Master Wang?"

"Great Qian is currently plagued by internal troubles and external threats. The Old Emperor is senile, and the young emperor... heh, they say he's a bit slow. Only the Zhuge Family still treats them like they're someone important."

"In my opinion, the unification of the world must ultimately belong to the Great Wei Dynasty!"

Wang Teng raised his chin smugly, his words becoming even more biting.

"If it weren't for my father valuing the Zhuge Family's remaining reputation in the Heavenly Secret Arts, I'd find it bad luck even if a woman like her were given to me for free as a foot-washing maid!"

Someone also reminded Wang Teng to make other preparations.

After all, the Zhuge Family had a tradition of a Three Arts Competition.

If Zhuge Jinyu really managed to beat him, the Wang Family's reputation might be hard to uphold today.

Hearing this, Wang Teng grew even more furious.

"Does the Zhuge Family have anyone worth looking at besides the deceased Zhuge Liang?"

"During the ceremony later, just watch how I handle her. I'll make sure they suffer a crushing defeat and lose everything!"

At this moment, in the adjacent room...

Only a single wall separated her from Wang Teng. Zhuge Jinyu heard every word he said in the next room clearly.

Before a bronze mirror, Zhuge Jinyu was tidying her clothes and hair.

Today, she wore a relatively formal dress.

Dressed in a white brocade robe, her black hair was simply pinned up with a hairpin.

Her charming phoenix eyes, paired with her cold and peerless face...

Although she was only fifteen, she already had the aura of a Prime Minister who looked down upon the world.

Upon hearing the maid's report, the hand she used to wipe the mirror paused slightly.

"Did you hear that?"

Su Chen gave a lazy smile, his voice carrying a hint of mockery.

"This is a classic case of a villain jumping out from a storybook. If you don't slap his face until it's swollen, a character like this will never know what pain is!"

Zhuge Jinyu took a deep breath. As she wiped the mirror, the faint mist on the surface dissipated a bit more, and the hazy figure behind it seemed to become slightly clearer.

Her gaze became firm once again.

"Rest assured, Teacher. Jinyu understands."

...

The family grand ceremony was held in the square in front of the ancestral hall, solemn and dignified.

What surprised Zhuge Jinyu and many of the elders...

...was that not only were all the core members of the Zhuge Family present, but even the Old Emperor of Great Qian, who hadn't left the palace in a long time, and her eldest sister, who was already an Imperial Consort, had actually arrived.

Everyone knew that this was not just a marriage proposal, but a matter concerning politics and the survival of Great Qian.

Great Qian had originally allied with the Great Hao Dynasty in the east to resist the powerful Great Wei.

However, a few days ago, news came from Shashi Prefecture in the east that Great Qian had been ambushed by Great Hao, resulting in lost territory and heavy casualties.

Even the Old Emperor of Great Qian's sworn brother, General Guan Dadao, who had risen all the way from the Qi Refinement Realm, had died there.

The Old Emperor of Great Qian, Liu Xuan, was considered a wise ruler of his generation, but he now appeared much older.

With white hair and beard and a haggard face, he was carefully supported by the eldest sister, Zhuge Ying, as he sat in the seat of honor.

The eldest sister's gaze toward Zhuge Jinyu was complex, filled with concern and an indescribable sorrow, as if she were seeing a reflection of her former self.

Zhuge Jinyu's gaze shifted to her eldest sister's bulging abdomen before looking away.

The Crown Prince of Great Qian, Liu Dou, was truly beyond help. Liu Xuan's health was failing, and Great Qian was teetering on the brink of collapse; it wasn't surprising that they were trying their luck again.

Murong Yue was dressed exceptionally grandly today, the smile on her face almost overflowing as she chatted happily with the Wang Family elder, Wang Zheng.

In her heart, she actually had the intention of finding a way out for the Zhuge Family.

Currently, Great Qian might face national destruction. If they could cling to the Wang Family's support, the Zhuge Family might still have a chance to continue their lineage in Great Wei.

Wang Teng stood behind his family elder, his eyes scanning Zhuge Jinyu flippantly, full of judgment and disdain.

After the tedious sacrificial ceremony, Murong Yue cleared her throat.

She prepared to announce the marriage alliance, pushing Zhuge Jinyu forward like a piece of merchandise.

Throughout the hall, no one objected; only continuous whispers could be heard.

"It would be good if the Wang Family really takes her away. Don't let her stay and bring disaster to our Zhuge Family."

"This Wang Teng isn't a good person either. If she can jinx him to death, it would be a great service."

"It's just a pity for Young Master Liang. Clearly, our Zhuge Family was on the verge of rising, but it was all ruined by a little girl. Sigh..."

Even Zhuge Yuan, who loved Zhuge Jinyu the most, hung his head, looking as if he had already accepted fate.

At that moment, Zhuge Jinyu took the initiative to step out from the crowd.

Her steps were steady as she walked to the center of the square.

First, she bowed respectfully to Liu Xuan and her eldest sister, then turned to Murong Yue and Wang Zheng, her voice clear and bright.

"Mother, Elder Wang, this marriage alliance concerns my entire life, as well as the dignity of the Zhuge Family and Great Qian."

"I, Jinyu, take the liberty to ask for some guidance from the second young master of the Wang Family."

"If the second young master cannot even defeat a mere woman like me, then let's not mention this marriage."

"May I ask, Young Master Wang, do you dare to accept?"

After finishing her bow, Zhuge Jinyu took out the vermilion bird feather fan, lightly covering her smiling face. In her fox-like eyes was an irrepressible mockery.

Her words shocked everyone present!

The area in front of the ancestral hall instantly fell silent. Everyone looked in disbelief at the slender yet ramrod-straight figure in the center.

Everyone in the world knew that the eldest young master of the Zhuge Family, Zhuge Liang, was a genius of heaven-sent talent, but few knew much about Zhuge Jinyu.

When she proposed the challenge, everyone felt...

...has she gone mad?

Wang Teng couldn't help but be stunned, followed by a surge of fury.

To be slapped in the face by a little girl today?

Where would he put his face in the future?

"Zhuge Jinyu, are you mad? Competing with me? In what? Not to mention the first two categories, just speaking of actual combat, aren't you afraid I'll accidentally cripple you, little beauty?"

Hearing this, Zhuge Jinyu only covered her face and smiled slightly.

"Then let's have the combat at the end."

"I'm also afraid that if I kill you right at the start, we won't be able to compete in the other two categories."