"Happiness?" Chang Shisheng said sternly, "If you want happiness, do you not consider our lives? If you do not comply with the Ni family, they will surely vent their anger on our entire clan. Then our Chang family will face utter destruction. Can you bear to see your family die because of you? Can you bear to see the Chang family's blood flow like a river?"
Chang Yuning fell silent.
After a moment, he looked at Mo Qi with eyes filled with inquiry, longing, and hope: "Can you deal with the Ni family?"
Mo Qi smiled, "I don't know if I can deal with them, but I was going to deal with them anyway, including the Immortal King's Palace."
Chang Yuning said with slight disappointment, "I understand."
Turning to his father, he said, "Father, let's go back first. I'll prepare, and then I'll go with you to the Ni family."
"That's my sensible, good daughter!" Chang Shi said with a smile.
The group returned to the main house's courtyard, but the Ni family members were slow to arrive.
In fact, the Ni family was currently engaged in a heated argument or discussion.
Most of the Ni family gathered in the main hall. Prince Zhong, Ni Guang, sat at the head, his expression indifferent, his gaze stern, and killing intent occasionally flashing from his eyes.
His Princess Zhong sat to his left, and his concubine stood behind him.
Below the hall, standing or sitting, were Ni Guang's brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and a few family retainers.
Ni Wei knelt in the middle. He had been standing initially and had truthfully reported everything he encountered at the Chang family.
Yin Wen had already died on the way back.
Ni Guang was furious. He intended to personally lead a few people to wipe out the entire Ni family.
Ni Wei immediately knelt on the ground and begged his father with tears, imploring him to spare the Ni family. He explained that Yin Wen was killed by a beggar, whom he had hired himself, and that the Chang family was not involved.
The crucial point was that the third young lady had recovered from her illness, and he wished to marry her. If that were the case, he absolutely could not move against the Chang family.
Ni Guang was instantly enraged, "Look at your lack of backbone! You're willing to risk your life for a woman. Think about how your two brothers died. As the saying goes, 'A beautiful woman is a disaster,' and it seems to be true. Don't be so stubborn. There are plenty of beauties in the world. I'll have the guards from various posts select a batch for you to choose from."
Ni Wei continued to kowtow like pounding garlic, "Father, I don't want those common beauties. I only want Chang Yuning. Chang Yuning is not comparable to ordinary women. If she is killed, I will go mad."
"They just killed Yin Wen. Can this debt be settled?"
"I've already said that Yin Wen was not killed by anyone from their family. It was that beggar. If Chang Yuning marries that beggar, I will personally lead men to destroy their entire family. But now, that fellow has no relationship with Yuning yet. Frankly, Yuning's stance depends entirely on us."
"They are cursed. Do you want to bring disaster upon yourself?" Ni Guang roared.
At this moment, Luo Shi, the concubine behind Ni Guang and Ni Wei's birth mother, said, "Wei'er, be good and don't be foolish. It's not worth it for a woman. Last time I visited my maternal home, I saw Teng Xiaoyun from the neighboring family. That child has grown into a graceful and beautiful girl. I'll take you to see her someday, and you'll definitely like her..."
Ni Wei said, "The Chang family's curse has been lifted. I personally witnessed the changes in Chang Yuning twice. The first time, she was dying and gravely ill, clearly on her last breath. The second time, when I saw her today, she was like she had been reborn, radiant and full of life, clearly healthier than a normal person."
The curse was lifted? The hall fell into a moment of silence as people pondered the reliability of this matter.
Ni Guang was so angry he couldn't speak.
At this moment, Princess Bi Shi immediately interjected, "Oh my, since the curse has been lifted, I think this marriage can proceed. They are a perfect match, talented and beautiful. I think they were destined to be together, and no one can break them apart."
Luo Shi glared at Bi Shi's nape from behind, wishing she could kill her with her gaze. "You venomous woman, you lost one son and now you wish for others' sons to go to their deaths."
At this moment, another concubine who had lost a son, Wang Shi, also said, "Yes, sister, I think we should fulfill their wishes. Otherwise, with Wei'er's temperament, who knows what he might do."
Luo Shi cursed these two venomous women in her heart, her breathing becoming heavy. However, she was suppressing her anger so much that she couldn't utter a word.
"All of you, be quiet," Ni Guang said, striking the armrest of his chair. "I have already lost two sons. I will not let the remaining ones take any more risks, even though I have eight sons."
Then, Ni Wei's seven brothers took turns trying to persuade him, saying things like "There are plenty of fish in the sea, why pine for just one flower?" and "Go out and explore, you'll find the world outside is more exciting."
Ni Wei, outnumbered, knew he couldn't argue with them and remained silent.
In Ni Guang's eyes, he had been persuaded.
Seeing such brotherly affection, he felt very gratified and nodded with satisfaction.
Since Ni Wei had been persuaded, he decided to end the family gathering and let everyone go to rest.
However, just then, a servant reported that the Chang family had arrived, bringing the third young lady.
Ni Wei's eyes lit up immediately, "Quick, invite them in."
The servant looked to Ni Guang for instructions.
"I don't know why they're here, but it's good to clarify things with them face-to-face. Let them in," Ni Guang said.
The servant bowed and left.
A moment later, Chang Shi entered with Chang Yuning, bringing Lian Hua and Chang Xunhuan.
Ni Wei's eyes widened as he looked at Chang Yuning!
His other brothers (except for the three minors) also stared with wide eyes, their mouths watering.
Ni Guang's three brothers were also moved, secretly praising, "The women of the Chang family truly live up to their reputation."
At this moment, they could understand why Ni Wei was so infatuated.
Ni Guang's eyes also glazed over for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and looked at Chang Shi, "What brings you to my home? You have quite the nerve, killing my people and then daring to come here to provoke me."
Chang Shi immediately knelt down, "Your Highness Prince Zhong, spare my life. How dare I provoke you? We have come first to apologize and second to clarify the rumors in our family."
He then truthfully recounted Chang Xiong's poisoning to Ni Guang.
Lian Hua and Chang Xunhuan also testified separately that his words were not fabricated.
Ni Wei was immediately overjoyed and began to dance in the hall, "Father, see? Didn't I say there was no curse? Now, can I marry her?"
His brothers, Ni Tiansheng, Ni Tianyang, Ni Tianci, and Ni Tianhui, also couldn't sit still. They all stepped forward and said, "Since Father previously betrothed Chang Yuning to the beggar, it means brother's engagement to her is automatically canceled. That also means we all have a chance! Please, Father, betroth her to me."
As Ni Guang listened to Chang Shi's account, he was already contemplating how to refuse the marriage. Although Chang Shi had clarified the matter and the curse had been explained, a shadow lingered in his heart. What if the poisoning and the curse coexisted? Who could bear the consequences?
Now, he saw several of his sons fighting over this woman. This was unbearable! If this woman truly entered the family, would the Ni family ever have peace again?
Thus, he secretly harbored murderous intent.
"Chang Shi, you may rise. You have raised a good daughter!" Ni Guang said, looking at Chang Shi.
Chang Shi, hearing Ni Guang praise him, was overjoyed and immediately stood up, shaking his head and saying, "Your Highness is too kind. Actually, there were three before, but alas... alas, heaven envies beauty."
In his heart, he thought that as long as he could climb onto the Ni family's great tree, one was enough.
"You may return now. This marriage is considered settled. As for which son I will let marry her, I will consider it carefully," Ni Guang said indifferently.
"Father!" Ni Wei shouted indignantly.
Ni Guang glared at him, his gaze like a sword, piercing him into silence.
"Alright," Chang Shi said, beaming, and pulled Chang Xunhuan and Chang Yuning out. "This maid, Lian Xin, is at Your Highness's disposal."
Ni Guang waved his hand, and the maid exploded on the spot!
Chang Shi's legs went weak with fright, and he was pulled out by Chang Yuning.
Chang Yuning remained silent throughout, her expression frozen.
She had already decided that to avoid implicating the Chang family, she would marry into the Ni family first and then find an opportunity for a "natural" death, so that the Ni family would not vent their anger on the Chang family.
All she needed to do now was to go through the motions with her father.
Although she didn't want to see any of the Ni family, she still endured the discomfort in her eyes and walked through the Ni residence.
She almost vomited as she left the Ni family.
After they left, Ni Guang first appeased his sons, saying that he would hold a martial arts competition, and whoever won would marry Chang Yuning. All his sons agreed. Then he dismissed everyone.
He then summoned his retainers Bi Huan, Hao Xintong, Wu Gui, and An Sai, saying, "You will split into two groups. One group will go and slaughter the Chang family; the other will pursue the three people who just left and kill them. That beggar must also be found and killed. Do it cleanly."
The four men accepted their orders and left.
At this time, Mo Qi was waiting on a mountaintop for Chang Yuning and the others to return.
To be honest, he couldn't help but be moved by a vixen like Chang Yuning.
However, since she was willing to sacrifice herself for her family, what could others say?
Most of a person's life is spent making choices, but making choices is also the most difficult thing!
He knew her choice was difficult, but she had also clearly stated that she didn't like him, so he had no sufficient reason to interfere with her lifelong affairs.
Yet, he felt that this matter was not over, so he couldn't bear to leave just yet.
Perhaps, when she was once again adorned in a phoenix coronet and robes, it would be time for him to leave.
He knew she wouldn't be happy, but it was all her own choice.
A moment later, Chang Shi, Chang Yuning, and Chang Xunhuan returned.
Lian Hua did not return. He did not ask, because he felt she was not worth pitying.
Chang Shi had a beaming smile, Chang Yuning's face was frosty, and Chang Xunhuan looked like he had lost all will to live.
Mo Qi seemed to understand everything at once.
The Ni family had forgiven them and agreed to the marriage again.