'Did I hear it correctly?'
Ye Tian Yun frowned and looked at the Fang Couple in bewilderment.
'Since when did Fang Chen ever get married? This guy didn't wish to create any attachments because that would be his weakness….'
'And the Fang Clan and Gao Clan never had such a deal… what in the world is going on….'
He was confused and even slightly panicked.
Since he was in Fang Chen's disguise, he was now at the center of this mess.
The Fang Couple had not noticed Ye Tian Yun's reaction and were still discussing among themselves.
"Gao Kang doesn't have much political influence, but he has a lot of connections. This is the reason why even though the Gao Clan is still considered one of the big fours even though there are clans which are more powerful than them." Prime Minister Fang Yuan said.
Gao Kang was the current Clan Head of Gao Clan.
Madam Xin frowned while asking, "When is my brother planning to send the scions of big clans to war?"
"One and a half months from now."
"Oh?" Madam Xin thought and said, "So that means we only have about one month. Chen'er is already an adult now. What about that Gao Clan lass?"
"She's the same age as Fang Chen." Prime Minister Fang replied.
"Hm, let's start preparation then." Madam Xin nodded and stood up.
Ye Tian Yun, who was speechless from the sudden development, felt that this would be the last and only chance he had to avoid the incoming troublesome days.
"Uh.. wait a minute!" He stood up from his seat, attracting the Fang Couple's attention.
Madam Xin asked, "What happened, Son?"
Ye Tian Yun replied, "That's my question. What's happening? What are you both planning?"
Fang Yuan frowned, "Keep that tone of yours in check, lad. And why are you acting surprised? Didn't you get the news when you were in the Gracious Sword Sect?"
"What news?" Ye Tian Yun was confused even more.
Madam Xin shook her head, "Ah, you have lost a bit of your memory. It's alright. I did send a letter to you regarding the decision we made regarding your marriage."
"My marriage!?" Ye Tian Yun had already gotten the hunch, but the confirmation still came as a surprise.
'I ran away from one marriage, only to fall in another one?'
'Damn it; even the NSN didn't mention anything about this….'
'Wait... Gao Xuan was warning me not to enter the Capital City….'
'Oh man, one more troublesome person on the way….'
"Why have you spaced out?" Madam Xin tapped on Ye Tian Yun's shoulder.
Ye Tian Yun frowned and said, "You are taking my life decisions, and you didn't even consider discussing it with me?"
Madam Xin pursed her lips, "Son, this is for your own good."
"How is it for my own good?" Ye Tian Yun asked, "It's quite clear you're doing this to get your hands on the Gao Clan."
"Brat!" Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes, "Think before you speak. And as for discussing with you, do you think you're worth it?"
"What?" Ye Tian Yun asked.
Fang Yuan put down the quill from his hand and stared at him while saying, "Fang Chen, your talent is the worst among all your peers, but your social standing is one of the highest. You have the authority, but you don't have the power to back it up."
"This is why I planned to do things for you - one would be that you join the war, and the other would be your marriage."
"And the reason why we decided with the Gao Clan is that no one else is willing to give their daughter to marry you."
"What made Gao Clan agree?" Ye Tian Yun asked.
Fang Yuan shrugged, "Gao Clan is currently the weakest among the big four. Gao Kang wants his daughter to have a good future, and by marrying you, she will become the future madam of the Fang Clan, while you will get Gao Clan's support."
"This is a win-win situation for both parties and the best way to secure your future."
Ye Tian Yun replied, "But didn't I show you my cultivation realm?"
"You did, but it's too late." Fang Yuan shook his head, "And your talent is still not the best in the capital city."
Ye Tian Yun shook his head, "I don't want to go ahead with this marriage. We need to cancel it."
In just three days, this was the second marriage he wanted to cancel.
"That's impossible." Fang Yuan denied, "This marriage is a must."
"Why is it?" Ye Tian Yun frowned, "You said something about Gao Clan being in a bad state, but why does the Fang Clan need to take advantage of the Gaos?"
Fang Yuan let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead, "Brat, who do you want to marry then? Don't you know your own reputation?"
Ye Tian Yun took a deep breath, and after a long silence, he said, "I will take part in the Grand Spirit Hunt for the position of 'Young Dragon'."
"Oh.. wait- what!?"
Fang Couple's eyes and mouth widened in shock.
"Absolutely not!" Madam Xin reflexively denied, "You are not allowed to marry that bratty princess! And have you forgotten what I just said? She's your goddamn cousin!"
While Madam Xin was snarling at him, Prime Minister Fang had the opposite expression on his face.
"Fang Chen, let me make this very clear. Don't even think about taking part in that competition. The whole deal is more complicated than you think. Xin Royal Clan is a huge mess, and I don't want to see my son entangle in it."
Glancing towards her husband, she added, "Why are you silent? Say something. He can't marry anyone else if he marries the princess. You should be the clearest about this fact."
Prime Minister Fang let out a sigh, "I know, I know.. But I don't think Fang Chen said anything about marrying Xin Xiao Qing."