"Look, the bride-to-be Yuan Lingshu has arrived. She is indeed as beautiful and charming as the rumors say, a beauty that could topple kingdoms."
A stunning voice rang out, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present.
The bride-to-be at today's engagement party has finally made her appearance.
A figure dressed in white, as white as snow, slowly entered the arena. Her neat ponytail made her look refreshing and capable, and her beautiful face revealed a cold indifference like frost and snow, as if keeping people at a distance.
"If I could marry a stunningly beautiful woman like Yuan Lingshu, who is both talented and beautiful and has an amazing talent in martial arts, I would be willing to shorten my lifespan by fifty years."
Everyone had long heard that Yuan Lingshu was proficient in literature, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and had extraordinary skills in swordsmanship. Most importantly, her beauty was so stunning that she was practically the perfect woman in men's eyes.
"Lingshu, you've arrived."
As the male protagonist of this engagement banquet, Zhang Lun slowly curved a smile onto his lips and immediately went to greet him.
This perfect couple is the envy of everyone.
However, Yuan Lingshu seemed to only give Zhang Lun a polite bow, as if she was deliberately distancing herself. This made Zhang Lun feel that the distance between them could not be closed any further, causing a hint of displeasure to flash in his eyes. However, he did a very good job of maintaining his composure and kept a smile on his lips.
"Lingshu, you must be exhausted from your journey. You must be very tired. You must get some rest after the engagement banquet. I have specially arranged for the best maid to serve you." Zhang Lun smiled gently, his eyes full of concern.
"Brother's thinking is so thoughtful. He truly cares for his wife from the bottom of his heart. There are very few good men like him in this world."
Zhang Hao couldn't help but sigh, as if talking to himself, but his voice could probably be heard within a hundred meters, clearly indicating he was intentionally praising Zhang Lun. "My body contains countless worlds..."
------------
Chapter 305 Annulled Engagement
"Thank you for your kindness, but this pearl is too precious for me to accept."
Yuan Lingshu politely declined, which made Zhang Lun, who had handed Jingzhu over in front of everyone, feel awkward. He didn't know whether to take it back or not, since so many people were watching.
Yuan Xiu, who had been accepting toasts from others, also sensed the awkward atmosphere. However, knowing his daughter's personality, he was not surprised and simply smiled and said, "Shu'er, you and Zhang Lun will be husband and wife in the future. There's no need for such formality between husband and wife."
“Yes, Zhang Lun will be your husband from now on. Isn’t it normal for a husband to give his wife a small gift?” Fang Qing, the Grand Elder of the outer sect of Jianglan Holy Temple, laughed heartily.
"If Zhang Lun doesn't even understand this little bit of romance, I'd have to call him a blockhead." A female deacon from the Tianma Temple also thought highly of Zhang Lun and Yuan Lingshu as a perfect couple.
“Yes, Lingshu, everyone says so, so just accept it.” Zhang Lun said with a smile. Yuan Lingshu was a bit cold towards him now, but after they got married, they would have plenty of time to get to know each other, and feelings would eventually develop.
Yuan Lingshu did not accept Zhang Lun's gift. Instead, under the strange gazes of the crowd, she slowly walked up to the platform, as if she had something to say to everyone. The lively atmosphere of the entire venue immediately quieted down. After all, Yuan Lingshu was the leading lady of the day, and they had to give her some face.
"Brother, is Yuan Lingshu trying to turn the engagement banquet into a wedding ceremony?"
After downing a glass of baijiu, Zhang Hao's face flushed slightly. Blushing, he teased Zhang Lun, "I really envy you, big brother. It's just a pity my beloved has fallen victim to the thieves..."
"Go away, you talk too much." Zhang Lun nudged Zhang Hao with his elbow and said with a cold face, but he also looked up at Yuan Lingshu on the high platform with a hint of expectation in his eyes. Maybe, as his third brother said, Yuan Lingshu would bring him some surprises.
"Since all the elders are here today, I'd like to share my thoughts with everyone."
Taking a deep breath, Yuan Lingshu said loudly without any hesitation, "This so-called marriage was actually arranged by both families' parents. They never asked for my opinion. I know that marriage is a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker's word, but I can't lie to myself. After careful consideration, I still feel that I absolutely cannot gamble with my life's happiness."
After Yuan Lingshu finished speaking, the room fell silent, and an awkward atmosphere filled the air.
A sense of foreboding arose in everyone's hearts.
Could it be that Yuan Lingshu is using this opportunity to annul the engagement?
Zhang Lun's smile vanished completely, and his complexion turned rather unpleasant.
He only hoped that Yuan Lingshu could recognize the bigger picture and not choose to annul the engagement at this time.
However, Yuan Lingshu's next words struck Zhang Lun like a bolt from the blue, leaving him completely stunned.
“I know Zhang Lun is a good person and treats me well, but my feelings for him are just like a younger sister’s feelings for her older brother. I can’t lie to myself or to everyone else, so I can’t marry him. I’m sorry to have let everyone down.”
After saying that, Yuan Lingshu turned around and walked down the platform without hesitation, not wanting to stay for even a moment longer.
The crowd stared blankly as Yuan Lingshu turned and left the stage; for a moment, most people didn't react.
What's going on? Yuan Lingshu actually broke off the engagement?
"Yuan Lingshu, you stop right there!"
Zhang Lun's brows furrowed more and more, and he subconsciously clenched his fists inside his robe, trying hard to control his emotions. He shouted coldly, but Yuan Lingshu seemed determined not to turn around.
"Shu'er, you stop right there!"
With a mixture of embarrassment and anger on his face, Yuan Xiu stomped his foot in frustration and coldly rebuked her. This made Yuan Lingshu slowly stop, turn around to look at her father, and say firmly, "Father, I'm sorry, it was my fault this time. I will definitely apologize to you when we get back!"
Seeing the resolute look in his daughter's eyes, Yuan Xiu was furious: "If you leave this house, we will sever all ties between us. From now on, you will no longer be my daughter!"
Yuan Xiu had made countless efforts to bring about this wonderful marriage between the Zhang and Yuan families. He had finally managed to arrange a marriage between his children and the Zhang family, and thought that today's engagement banquet would go smoothly. However, his daughter, whom he had raised for more than ten years, went against his wishes and ruined the engagement.
Where does this leave the old face of the Yuan family head?
Moreover, the Zhang family is currently powerful and influential, and publicly announcing the engagement would be a direct slap in the face to the Zhang family, causing Zhang Lun and the entire Zhang family to lose face.
In this way, wouldn't the Yuan family be forced to barely survive in the face of the behemoth that is the Zhang family? The Yuan family's days in the Qin state would certainly not be easy.
Therefore, this is no longer just a matter of Yuan Lingshu's personal happiness, but concerns the rise and fall, and even the fate, of the entire Yuan family!
For the sake of the bigger picture, Yuan Lingshu absolutely cannot act so recklessly!
The expressions on the faces of the representatives from various surrounding forces who attended the banquet, including members of the Zhang family, all became quite interesting.
Although their facial expressions differed, they were all quite surprised by Yuan Lingshu's public annulment of the engagement.