The whole thing happened so swiftly that it wasn't until Ye Jingyu spoke that everyone else snapped back to reality…
The Crown Prince, Qin Yunxiao, along with the two Grandmasters flanking him, wore expressions of utter confusion. They had witnessed the duel between Ye Jingyu and Bing Ming firsthand. Whether staged or not, it demonstrated Ye Jingyu’s formidable strength. How could he fail to evade Xiao Geng’s sneak attack, given his skill? Especially since Xiao Geng had only displayed the strength of a mere Master moments before?
Even if he hadn't evaded it, with his supposed power, he shouldn't have been harmed! How could he be spitting up blood?
Luo Ruofeng, however, simply tilted his head aside. Knowing Ye Jingyu's nature deeply, he immediately understood that Ye Jingyu was staging another performance of sympathy…
Indeed, it was a calculated act of pathos. At least those princesses and county mistresses who had just moments ago defended Xiao Geng and accused Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling'er of collusion now viewed Xiao Geng with sharply altered gazes…
Every young woman yearned for her future husband to be a heroic figure of integrity, fostering a strong positive impression of those who conducted themselves with forthright honor. Xiao Geng had always projected the image of an upright, virtuous gentleman in their eyes. Yet now, he resorted to a cowardly sneak attack, a move that instantly shattered his standing in the hearts of these maidens…
And Ye Jingyu? He had coughed up a great mouthful of blood yet insisted he was fine—a display that instantly won the sympathy of the majority of the young women…
In that moment, the maidens forgot Ye Jingyu's earlier provocations. All they saw was that Xiao Geng could not defeat Ye Jingyu in an open fight and had to resort to such an underhanded maneuver…
Their gazes fixed upon Xiao Geng were now filled with undisguised contempt…
Feeling the chill of those scornful looks, Xiao Geng’s inner fury intensified. He stared at Ye Jingyu, who was being supported by Luo Ling'er, and could no longer suppress the rage boiling within him…
“I challenge you to a duel…” A cold vow escaped Xiao Geng’s lips…
“Brother Xiao, Little Ye is already injured by you. Isn't it forcing his hand to demand a duel right now?” Before Ye Jingyu could even respond to the challenge, Luo Ling'er immediately objected…
Now, most people weren't even questioning why she would side with an outsider. In the minds of those princesses and county mistresses, the one who attacked from behind was clearly the villain, and what Luo Ling'er said perfectly mirrored their own thoughts…
“If you win, I, Xiao Geng, will immediately petition His Majesty to dissolve the engagement. If you lose, you will immediately commit suicide before me as atonement. Do you dare accept the challenge?” Xiao Geng ignored Luo Ling'er, his icy eyes locked onto Ye Jingyu, and a chilling killing intent radiated outwards, sweeping over the entire area…
His words were venomous. If he lost, the worst outcome was the dissolution of an engagement. But if Ye Jingyu lost, he forfeited his life. Under normal circumstances, perhaps no one would have batted an eye, given Xiao Geng’s status…
However, every person present possessed noble lineage. Especially those princesses and county mistresses who had already taken a strong dislike to Xiao Geng. Hearing him utter such shameless terms now, they instantly began chattering indignantly on Ye Jingyu’s behalf…
In an instant, Xiao Geng’s popularity plummeted to its lowest point. Even the Crown Prince hesitated to step forward and say anything, feeling it inappropriate…
Faced with such harsh terms, Ye Jingyu took a determined step forward and nodded firmly: “Good. I accept your challenge!”
“Ah, how can this be? Earl Ye, you were just sneak-attacked by a villain and injured first. Even if you must fight, shouldn't you wait until you recover?” At this moment, Princess Xiyue, who was friendly with Luo Ling'er, spoke up…
“Yes, yes, Lord Ye, perhaps you should fight another day?” another county mistress added…
The scene was immediately filled with the voices of these women defending Ye Jingyu. Just then, Luo Ruofeng, who had remained aloof from the proceedings, also stepped forward and spoke with deep sincerity: “A'Yu, I know you and Ling'er are deeply devoted, but this is, after all, His Majesty’s decree. Do not throw away your life over this! You are too severely wounded; you are simply no match for General Xiao!” Luo Ruofeng’s face was etched with genuine regret…
His intervention made the image of Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling'er appear even more noble. They were already in love, and here was Xiao Geng trying to steal the beloved by leveraging his family’s power to petition the Emperor…
The crowd looked at Xiao Geng with renewed disdain, while their gaze towards Luo Ling'er and Ye Jingyu was filled with increased support and sympathy…
They were all daughters of the realm, pampered since birth, yet they felt like birds caged in ornate cages, never truly free. Even decisions regarding their marriages were dictated by their parents. They all yearned to find someone with whom they shared a true connection. They deeply understood Luo Ling'er’s predicament of being unable to be with the one she loved…
Initially, they had only been uncertain, but now that Luo Ruofeng had confirmed the relationship between her and Ye Jingyu, there was no reason not to support them…
The Crown Prince shot Ruofeng a surprised glance. He truly hadn't expected his third brother to involve himself in such a matter. Wasn't he afraid of thoroughly offending the Xiao family? If the Xiao family committed fully to supporting him, even if the Emperor’s mind shifted, how could he possibly contend with the Crown Prince?
But the Crown Prince failed to grasp that Luo Ruofeng had staked everything on Ye Jingyu, treating him not just as a future brother-in-law, but as a true brother. He wouldn't hesitate to challenge the entire Southern Cloud Empire, let alone just the Xiao family…
Feeling the immense support from so many, and seeing Luo Ruofeng’s expression of sorrow, Ye Jingyu was inwardly ecstatic, though his face remained sternly composed…
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. However, this concerns not only my life but also the eternal happiness of the Princess. I, even unto death, would not bear to see the Princess married to someone she dislikes. For the sake of the Princess’s happiness, I would gladly be utterly destroyed,” Ye Jingyu declared with tragic resolve, needing only two tears to complete the scene…
Hearing this, Luo Ruofeng was almost choking with silent laughter, but many of the gathered princesses and county mistresses began wiping their eyes upon hearing Ye Jingyu’s words. They each mused how wonderful it would be to find a man who loved them so deeply. This tenacity—to accept a challenge while suffering such severe wounds—was truly moving and worthy of song…
Several princesses, particularly Princess Xiyue, looked upon Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling’er with expressions that had fundamentally shifted, now mixed with envy, admiration, and a faint sense of wistful resignation…
“Hmph. Since you insist, I shall grant you that final journey then…” At this moment, Xiao Geng let out a cold sneer. With a flick of his hand, a translucent longsword materialized in his grip. The blade was veined with faint crimson lines, resembling human capillaries, and at the hilt, two archaic seal characters were intricately carved: “Reverse Soul” (Ni Hun)!