Chapter 274

Chapter 274: You Have Everything, Why Take Hers?

Chen Xin Yue finally stepped into the Hall of Chivalry. She wore a white gauze dress, a silver belt cinching her waist so slim it seemed one could encircle it with a hand. Her simple clothes and light makeup easily won the hearts of many boys and girls in the room. Xin Yue looked so pure and fresh.

People once again felt sorry for Chen Xin Yue.

In the Martial World there were not so many rules, and men and women did not sit apart. Several familiar youths gathered around a round table and waved to her, calling with smiles: “Xin Yue, come sit here!”

Chen Xin Yue smiled and walked over.

Everyone noticed. On the main seat, a middle-aged man with a stern face showed a faint smile and said: “Xin Yue gets along well with these young talents.”

This was Jiang Yu Wei, the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance.

Madam Lin Jing Xuan, the Alliance Leader’s wife, smiled and said: “Yes, Xin Yue has been well liked since she was little.” Then she turned the topic: “But the girl from Second Master’s branch is also very good. In looks, figure, and bearing, she is a step higher. If she is willing, she can get along just as well with these young elites.”

Jiang Yu Wei answered with interest: “Oh? Is she truly that good?”

When Yu Zhi Yi arrived earlier, he had been away on business, so he had not seen her.

Madam Lin replied: “Yes.”

A look of expectation came to Jiang Yu Wei’s solemn face as he said: “Then I must properly meet this niece.”

At last, the herald cried out in a string of reports: “Second Master Jiang arrives! Second Madam Jiang arrives! Second Young Master Jiang arrives! Second Miss Jiang arrives! Fifth Young Master Jiang arrives!”

With the announcements, the figures of a family of four stepped into view.

It had to be said: the Jiang Clan had remarkable looks. Whether it was the Jiang father and sons or Xiao Qing the Mystic, all could be called fine and striking. Even though Xiao Qing had been ill in recent years and her face had grown haggard, one could still glimpse her past grace.

The two young masters needed even less praise. Especially Jiang Liu Yi, ranked among the top three on the Martial World’s list of most handsome men, which showed his standing.

Yet the unfamiliar girl among these outstanding faces did not have her edge dimmed at all. She wore a long, smoke-colored dress. The Martial Alliance’s halls were bright at night, and countless lights fell across the pale skirt hem like layers of rosy clouds.

But she herself shone brighter than any cloud glow. Her bold, beautiful features carried cold distance. The lessened glamour became an untouchable nobility. She was like the sun high above the sky, bright and lovely, yet not to be taken lightly.

The guests fell silent for a moment. No one expected the Jiang Clan’s second miss to be such a rare beauty.

The boys and girls around Chen Xin Yue stared, stunned. Hidden in the shadows, Young Master Fang also froze for a heartbeat. Since ancient times, besides wealth, beauty moves hearts too. Anyone would love what is fair to the eye.

But after that first shock, he soon regained himself. Even if she were a goddess from the ninth heaven, she must not bully Xin Yue or take anything that belongs to Xin Yue. He grew even more indignant for Chen Xin Yue. [With looks like that, what can’t she get? Why come back and steal Xin Yue’s everything?] He clenched his teeth and thought: [Blame yourself for being greedy. Don’t blame me!]

Yu Zhi Yi sensed something, glanced with the corner of her eye toward the source of a venomous gaze, then drew her eyes back. She did not wish to cause trouble. But if someone came to provoke her, whether that person lost face or lost life would depend on their own choices.

When the four of them entered the Hall of Chivalry, people came forward at once to flatter them. Jiang Yu Chuan introduced his daughter to the crowd with pride. Yet most did not know Yu Zhi Yi’s true identity. The family had already decided that, inside the Martial Alliance, their daughter and sister would only be Jiang Si Jin. As for her rank as a third-class prefect of the Imperial Court, that would wait until they returned to the Imperial Court.

After the elders finished greeting one another, they wanted their sons and daughters to go speak with Second Miss Jiang. But after calling around, only a few youths from small families stepped forward. The top sects and great clans did not move. The air turned awkward.

At last, as if unable to bear it, Chen Xin Yue sighed and said to the youths beside her: “You should go greet sister. Otherwise Second Master Jiang will lose face, and your families will be angry. When you go home, you might get scolded.”

In those boys’ and girls’ ears, her words became: do not make sister feel embarrassed. Xin Yue was just too kind.

They were about to get up when the herald called again: “The Young Lord of Heavenly Domain Manor arrives!”

Everyone was shocked. The Young Lord of Heavenly Domain Manor?

The Martial Alliance had even invited him?

In recent years Heavenly Domain Manor had risen like a storm, its strength nearly rivaling the Martial Alliance. Its Young Lord, Li Chang Huai, and the Jiang Clan’s second young master, Jiang Liu Yi, were even praised together as South Yi and North Huai.

Li Chang Huai was famously proud. Ordinary people could not even enter his eyes. He had not even come two years ago when Jiang Si Ying of the Martial Alliance held her coming-of-age. Why would he come today?

Chen Xin Yue’s heart was in chaos as she whispered: “Young Lord Li is here.”

The youths looked at one another. After a moment, someone thought he had guessed the truth and said: “He must be here for Second Young Master Jiang. Last time in the Earthly Ranking fight, Young Lord Li narrowly lost to Second Young Master Jiang and took second place. He is probably giving Second Young Master Jiang respect.”

Chen Xin Yue felt a little better. But she was still jealous. [Jiang Si Jin, you are only leaning on your good brother! If Jiang Liu Yi were my brother, Young Lord Li would surely look at me too.] She remembered how, whenever she passed by Li Chang Huai, he stayed cold and distant, too lazy to spare her even a glance. Her jealousy burned.

Then a clear voice rang out before its owner appeared: “Second Miss Jiang, long time no see.”

Soon, Li Chang Huai in a blue robe strode into the Hall of Chivalry and headed straight toward Yu Zhi Yi. He did not so much as glance at Jiang Liu Yi beside her. His bold greeting slapped many faces, and his steps matched his words. He was openly telling all that he had come for Yu Zhi Yi, not for Jiang Liu Yi.

Chen Xin Yue’s pretty face went pale. The boys and girls traded looks. Li Chang Huai and Jiang Liu Yi were the leaders of their generation, the ones they bowed to in admiration. But Jiang Liu Yi was indifferent to fame and gain, kept to himself, and rarely showed up beyond what was necessary. Li Chang Huai, however, traveled around often and could be courted.

Now a problem stood before them. The person they had tried to flatter was going to please the one they had looked down on. What should they do?