"Hey! You two poor kids, get out of the way, don't block Master Fu Que's path!"
The Li family members leading the way saw that Yan Shouyi and his companion were dressed ordinarily, not like people of any status, so they didn't bother to inquire and simply pushed them aside.
Yan Shouyi and his companion were still stunned when a group of people surged into the Li mansion. By the time he reacted, the Li family's gates, which had been open moments before, were closed again.
Long Feicheng slapped his forehead, "What's going on?!"
Yan Shouyi also felt puzzled. Didn't the Li family say they weren't receiving guests? Then who was that so-called Master Fu Que?
He could sense that the elderly Master Fu Que did possess some skill, but his abilities were inferior to Chen Dawei's. How had he become a master?
Moreover, the Li family was a prominent clan of ghost kings. Yet, they treated Master Fu Que as an honored guest. Were they truly foolish, or simply clueless?
"Perhaps the Li family is truly indisposed today. We should come back another time," Yan Shouyi sighed.
But Long Feicheng disagreed, "Don't say that. We're here to break off the engagement, not to get engaged. What's there to choose a date for? Besides, you might be willing to wait, but is your sister-in-law willing?"
Yan Shouyi considered it and felt Long Feicheng made sense. He hadn't heard of needing a special day to break off an engagement.
Furthermore, he wanted to shed this burden soon so he could propose to the Lin family without any lingering concerns.
Thus, Yan Shouyi knocked on the Li family's door again.
This time, it wasn't the butler who opened the door, but a Li family member who appeared somewhat younger.
The Li family member sized up Yan Shouyi and his companion, then his face immediately darkened, "What do you want?"
"To break off the engagement," Yan Shouyi stated righteously.
The other party was clearly taken aback by Yan Shouyi's response, appearing momentarily stunned. He then asked, "Whose engagement?"
"Wait a moment, let me check the name."
Yan Shouyi took out the bamboo slip of the marriage contract, glanced at the name of the bride inscribed on it, and replied, "Li Qinger."
The Li family member was stunned again, and this time his dazed silence was even longer and more profound.
Subsequently, the Li family member burst into laughter, "Are you crazy?"
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Long Feicheng couldn't stand it, "What kind of language is that?"
"Look at how you two are dressed. You have the nerve to claim an engagement with our Li family's eldest daughter? If that's not crazy, what is? Scram, scram, scram! Get out of here quickly. We have distinguished guests at the Li family today, don't block our entrance and bring us bad luck! If you don't leave, I'll have someone beat you up!"
Since the other party had spoken to this extent, Yan Shouyi could only say, "Remember, my name is Yan Shouyi. I am currently the security captain at Shanghang Art School. Whenever your Li family remembers this engagement, you can come find me at Shanghang Art School."
"Crazy."
The Li family member paid no mind to it, letting the words go in one ear and out the other, and promptly closed the door.
Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng exchanged a look. They couldn't do anything about the Li family. They couldn't exactly kick the door open and shout about breaking the engagement.
Although Yan Shouyi had a poor impression of the Li family, breaking an engagement was not a trivial matter. After all, the Li family was a reputable and influential clan. Yan Shouyi hoped to resolve it privately, giving both sides a way out.
Thus, the two abandoned the idea of successfully breaking off the engagement that day and took the bus back home.
...
Inside the Li mansion, in the main hall, a grand statue was enshrined. Before the statue were placed various delicacies and fruits, and incense candles burned year-round.
Below the statue was the seat of the current Li family head, Li Peizong.
At this moment, Li Peizong personally rose to greet them, receiving none other than the esteemed Taoist priests from Miaoyu Temple on Kunlun Mountain, True Person Fu Que and Gao Zizhen.
In front of outsiders, the two assumed their roles again. Gao Zizhen addressed True Person Fu Que as his master, and True Person Fu Que called Gao Zizhen his beloved disciple.
Today, Gao Zizhen had shed his Taoist robe from yesterday and was dressed in casual wear, resembling a handsome and sunny television star.
Upon seeing Gao Zizhen, the Li family members' eyes lit up—after all, who wouldn't admire someone like Gao Zizhen, who hailed from Kunlun Mountain, was young and handsome, and possessed considerable skill?
However, they were unaware that Gao Zizhen's true age was over one hundred and fifty years. Beneath that attractive facade lay a decaying body and an evil heart.
"Esteemed Taoist priests, please take your seats!"
Li Peizong personally welcomed them with great courtesy. Li Qinger stood by, subtly observing Gao Zizhen, finding him more appealing the longer she looked.
After True Person Fu Que was seated, he flicked his horsetail whisk and draped it over his arm. Then, he smiled and said,
"Mr. Li, why are you in such a hurry to invite us? Have you come to a decision?"
Li Peizong chuckled, not answering directly, but instead asked Li Qinger to serve tea to the two guests.
Li Qinger held the teapot with graceful poise and poured tea for True Person Fu Que. True Person Fu Que stared at the rare beauty, a lecherous glint in his eyes.
This gaze was noticed by Li Qinger, and she instinctively took half a step back.
True Person Fu Que immediately sensed a killing intent from behind him. Without turning his head, he knew it was Gao Zizhen. He quickly concealed his gaze and acted as if nothing had happened.
Li Qinger composed herself, thinking she must have misread the situation, and thus thought no further. She then went to pour tea for Gao Zizhen.
Gao Zizhen smiled and praised Li Qinger, "Miss Li, your appearance today is like a lotus emerging from water, captivating the soul."
If any other man had praised Li Qinger like this, she would have likely responded with a roll of her eyes. But coming from Gao Zizhen, the praise made Li Qinger feel delighted.
Indeed, handsome men could say anything.
As Li Qinger accepted the tea, Gao Zizhen casually touched her soft, tender hand. Li Qinger did not refuse; instead, she cast a flirtatious glance at Gao Zizhen.
Gao Zizhen accepted the tea, a cold sneer in his heart:
Truly a naturally alluring little enchantress. I only touched her once, and she seems eager to give me everything. It seems this resurrection ritual will soon be successful!
Feeling that things were proceeding smoothly and easily, Gao Zizhen was overjoyed, his lips involuntarily curving into a smile.
But these scenes, when viewed by Li Peizong, left him feeling uneasy.
Regardless of Gao Zizhen's status, as a father, Li Peizong did not wish to see his daughter marry a man she had only met the previous day.
Only parents truly consider their children's well-being. Although Li Peizong was a businessman, he never used his family for business.
Therefore, Li Peizong smiled and said to True Person Fu Que,
"Esteemed Daoist, I personally admire Zizhen greatly, but as a father, I still wish for my daughter to have a marriage without regrets. Therefore, regarding Qinger's marriage to Zizhen, we can first draft a marriage contract and allow them to spend more time together to get to know each other. During this period, I will promptly find the original party with whom Qinger has an engagement and discuss the annulment. Once the annulment is successful, Qinger and Zizhen can be married immediately."
"Of course, our Li family always values its commitments. If you find this arrangement acceptable, we can write the marriage contract immediately. And for Qinger's sake, perhaps you could first help us restore West Lake to its original state, as a good omen. What do you think?"
This was the purpose of Li Peizong's invitation to True Person Fu Que today. The marriage could be delayed, but the matter of West Lake could not.
However, the smile on True Person Fu Que's face gradually disappeared.
Finally, he let out a cold snort, his face hardening as he said, "Whether the Li family values commitment or not is irrelevant to this matter. My beloved disciple is talented and of extraordinary status. It is your Li family's fortune that he has taken an interest in your daughter. Not only do you fail to express gratitude, but you also seek to profit without investing anything. Do you truly think our Miaoyu Temple on Kunlun Mountain is easy to bully?!"
Seeing True Person Fu Que's anger, the Li family members grew somewhat flustered.
West Lake's water was intrinsically linked to the Li family's Feng Shui and destiny. A few days of disruption was one thing, but what if it took months or even years to recover? What would become of the Li family?
If Li Peizong insisted on linking this matter to the phantom fiancé, and if he couldn't find the engaged party for years, what about West Lake? What about the Li family?!
Thus, before Li Peizong could speak, a Li family member couldn't help but say,
"Patriarch, I believe Master Fu Que's words are reasonable. Being favored by Master Gao is Qinger's fortune, and a destined encounter ordained by heaven. Let us not concern ourselves with that so-called engagement and let Qinger marry first!"
"Yes, Patriarch. Master Gao is talented and of extraordinary status, and he is the successor of Miaoyu Temple on Kunlun Mountain. Our two families marrying would undoubtedly make us soar like a tiger with wings, and we would be able to suppress the Bai family in the future!"
"I believe this matter should respect Qinger's own wishes. Qinger, are you willing to marry Master Gao, or the fiancé you've never met?!"
Li Qinger blurted out, "Naturally, Master Gao!"
Li Peizong looked helplessly at Li Qinger.
His daughter, why are you so... Alas!
Marrying off Li Qinger was now the consensus of the family. Even though Li Peizong was the current head of the Li family, and even though he was Li Qinger's father, his words seemed to carry little weight at this moment.
However, Li Peizong's intuition told him not to agree so easily, at least not until True Person Fu Que had restored West Lake to its original state.
Thus, Li Peizong had to reveal his final trump card.
He sighed softly, shaking his head, and said, "Esteemed Daoist Fu Que, it is not that I do not trust you. However, Qinger's fiancé is also of considerable background. If I rashly disregard the engagement, I fear it may invite retaliation from the other party!"
True Person Fu Que frowned, "Tell me, then, what is the other party's identity?"
The Li family members and Li Qinger were also very curious, as Li Peizong had not revealed any information about the fiancé from yesterday until now.
Li Peizong then said,
"Qinger's fiancé is the legendary—Lu Ban's descendant!"