Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 158 Standoff in the Council Hall, Jiang Family Suddenly Arrives

Chen Anran could understand the hurt caused by this disparity. He picked up his beer, clinked glasses with hers, and they made a crisp sound.

"The Cloud Hidden Sect may not be able to give you the resources and foundation of the Feng family," Chen Anran said calmly, "but there will always be people there who care about you as if you were Feng Xiaolu herself. Your eldest sister will comfort you when you fail to break through, your second sister will remember to bring you some little things you like every time she comes back, Xiao Ling'er will pester you to tell her stories, and me..."

He paused, looked into her eyes, and said seriously, "I will bring my men to your door just because you send a distress signal."

Hearing his words, Feng Xiaolu's eyes welled up with tears, which finally transformed into a large, tearful smile. She nodded vigorously, her voice slightly choked, "Yes! I know! That's why I absolutely have to go back! What Jiang family of Shu, what great cultivation clan, I don't care! I just want to go back to our little hill, cultivate with my senior sister, bully Xiaoling'er, and enjoy delicious spiritual food..."

She spoke softer and softer until it was almost a mutter, but the expression on her face completely relaxed, a look of peace and contentment at having found true belonging.

Chen Anran saw her eyes light up again and knew that most of her inner turmoil had been resolved. He picked up another controller next to him and handed it to her: "Want to play again? I won that last round."

Feng Xiaolu snatched the controller, her fighting spirit rekindled: "I let you win just now! Let's go again!"

The game sound effects started again, mixed with Feng Xiaolu's shouts and Chen Anran's occasional helpless chuckles.

Outside the window, the eternal spring sunshine shines within the Feng family's protective barrier, while inside, the two sit in front of the screen, drinking beer and playing games, as if all the disturbances of the outside world have been temporarily shut out.

………………

The following morning, at the Feng family's guesthouse, "Tingzhu Garden".

Just as Chen Anran awoke from his meditation, Feng Changyuan's respectful voice came from outside the door: "Fellow Daoist Chen, have you risen yet? The patriarch and elders are waiting for you in the 'Council Hall' and invite you to join them."

Chen Anran opened his eyes, his gaze sharp yet restrained. He straightened his robes and calmly replied, "Thank you for leading the way, Fellow Daoist Feng."

Outside the courtyard gate, not only was Feng Changyuan there, but Qi Lan and Huiming were also waiting. Qi Lan was still dressed casually, her baseball cap pulled low, a blade of grass she had picked from somewhere dangling from her mouth. When she saw Chen Anran come out, she lazily raised her chin as a greeting. Huiming stood silently to the side with her hands clasped together, her breathing calm.

"Let's go." Chen Anran nodded to the two of them, signaling Feng Changyuan to lead the way.

As the group passed through the misty, bird-filled, and fragrant Feng family estate, the Feng family members they encountered along the way all turned to look at them with complicated expressions.

The events that happened on the bus yesterday have obviously spread. The way people look at Chen Anran and his two companions is less of the initial contempt and more of a sense of apprehension and scrutiny.

The council hall, located in the heart of the valley, is a magnificent ancient palace. The doors were open, but the interior was dimly lit and the atmosphere solemn.

Upon entering the hall, one sees a refined-looking, deep-set-eyed middle-aged man seated at the head of the table. Dressed in a dark blue robe, he exudes an air of authority without being angry. This is none other than Feng Wenzheng, the current head of the Feng family and Feng Xiaolu's uncle. To his lower left sits a man whose face bears some resemblance to Feng Wenzheng, but whose temperament is more gentle. This is none other than Feng Wenyuan, who went to the Yunyin Sect to retrieve Feng Xiaolu.

On either side sat more than a dozen elders of the Feng family. Feng Yue, who had suffered a loss yesterday, was among them. The bruises on his face had not yet completely faded, and he was staring at Chen Anran and his two companions with a gloomy gaze. The other elders also had different expressions, some scrutinizing, some indifferent, and some with hidden dissatisfaction.

"Chen Anran of the Cloud Hidden Sect greets Patriarch Feng, Senior Wen Yuan, and all the elders of the Feng family." Chen Anran bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant. Qi Lan and Huiming followed suit.

Feng Wenzheng's gaze fell on Chen Anran, and he spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure: "Young friend Chen, you've come from afar. Did you rest well yesterday?"

"It's alright, thank you for your concern, Master." Chen Anran replied calmly.

After exchanging pleasantries, Feng Wenzheng changed the subject and got to the point: "We already know why you've come, young friend. Regarding the marriage between Xiaolu and the Jiang family, our family has its own considerations. Xiaolu is young and may not understand the elders' good intentions for the time being, but this marriage is the best choice for both her and the Feng family."

Feng Yue couldn't help but snort coldly, and retorted, "The patriarch is absolutely right! Young friend Chen, although you and your junior sister Xiao Lu are deeply in love, this is an internal affair of the Feng family, and a matter of great importance concerning the future of the clan. How can we allow her to act recklessly with her childish nature? Yesterday, you condoned your subordinates' violence and injured my clansmen. How do you explain that?"

His words immediately created a tense atmosphere in the hall.

Before Chen Anran could speak, Feng Wenyuan coughed lightly and said gently, "Fourth Brother, please calm down. Anran is just flustered because she is worried."

As he spoke, Feng Wenyuan looked at Chen Anran, his eyes filled with a hint of apology and helplessness. "Anran, when I brought Xiaolu back, I did promise her that she would be happy. However... family matters are far-reaching and not child's play. The marriage between Xiaolu and Jiang Yunxian's nephew is already an agreement between the two families, and now it's a done deal. If we suddenly back out, not only will we offend the Jiang family, but what will become of the Feng family's reputation?"

Chen Anran remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over Feng Wenzheng and Feng Wenyuan, and slowly said, "Patriarch, Senior Wenyuan, esteemed elders, I have come here not to interfere in the Feng family's internal affairs, nor do I intend to be an enemy of the Feng family. I simply wish to confirm Third Senior Sister's wishes and respect her choice."

He paused, his tone still calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority: "I met with Third Senior Sister yesterday, and she made it clear that she does not wish to accept this marriage. A forced marriage is never sweet; I believe you all understand this better than I do. If we force her to harbor resentment or even damage her Dao heart for the sake of a marriage contract, that is probably not what the Feng family wants, nor is it the original intention of this alliance."

"Hmph, arranged marriages by parents and matchmakers have existed since ancient times! Marriages among cultivators are even more related to the inheritance of the Dao lineage, how can they be based entirely on personal preferences?" An unfamiliar elder said, flicking his sleeve.

"Oh?" Qi Lan suddenly chuckled, a mocking smile curving her lips beneath her hat brim. "What if the other party in the marriage isn't truly sincere, but merely complying out of family pressure? How strong can such an alliance truly be?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

Feng Wenzheng frowned slightly: "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Qi Lan?"

Feng Yue's face darkened further: "Stop talking nonsense! Everyone knows that Nephew Jiang Yun is quite satisfied with Xiao Lu!"

"Is that so?" Chen Anran continued, calmly looking at Feng Yue. "Since Elder Feng is so certain, has he personally asked Fellow Daoist Jiang Yun about his true intentions?"

Before Chen Anran could finish speaking, a series of slightly hurried footsteps came from outside the council hall, accompanied by an announcement:

"Reporting—Patriarch, elders! The Jiang family from Shu has arrived and is outside the hall!"