Chapter 8: The Jealous Princess! Aiming to Win Xiao Zhen's Heart!

"Hehe, Sister Lian Hua, you should consider marrying my third brother!"

As soon as this suggestion was made, Xiao Zhen felt a wave of annoyance toward Lian Hua and was about to refuse directly.

At that moment, a melodious voice cut through the air, capturing everyone's attention.

Third brother?

The revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd. Could it be that this woman...

Curiosity piqued, everyone turned to see a stunningly beautiful young woman approaching. Despite her youthful appearance, there was a regal air about her that Lian Hua lacked. She wore a white palace dress adorned with exquisite hair accessories, and her long gown trailed elegantly behind her, giving her the appearance of a princess.

Upon closer inspection, it was the Fourth Princess, Jiang Lingyou.

Her name suited her perfectly—graceful and agile. Rumor had it that Jiang Lingyou was a rare beauty in the Baixiao Dynasty, ranking fifth on the list of the most beautiful women. While she might not quite compare to Lian Xiang, she was certainly far superior to Lian Hua.

With a slight smile, Jiang Lingyou addressed Lian Hua:

"Sister, you have a marriage contract with my third brother. I suggest you consider the consequences of breaking that contract. If my royal family loses face, do you think it won't affect the Lian family? I fear our fathers might fall out over this."

Each word she spoke felt like a precious pearl, laced with a strong sense of authority that pressed down on everyone present.

The crowd whispered among themselves, realizing that the Fourth Princess was no ordinary person. She was significantly more formidable than Lian Hua, exploding a charm that masked her strength.

Lian Hua's expression darkened as she absorbed Jiang Lingyou's words. She was acutely aware of the potential fallout with the royal family. Initially, she believed she could secure Xiao Zhen for herself, having gambled everything on winning his affections. After all, three years ago, Xiao Zhen hadn't dared voice any dissatisfaction about their broken engagement. She had assumed he wouldn't refuse her now.

However, the realization hit her: Xiao Zhen was bold and unyielding. Perhaps he hadn't cared about their separation back then because he wasn't interested in her at all.

Trying to maintain her composure, she spat out defiantly, "Jiang Qingyun is very fond of me."

This she was sure of.

Jiang Qingyun was infatuated with her; whatever Lian Hua suggested, he would follow without question. She believed Jiang Qingyun was simply concerned about the royal family and would pressure his father to allow her to remarry Xiao Zhen. It was a hollow worry, or so she thought.

Jiang Lingyou raised an eyebrow, responding coolly, "I doubt my father would agree. A damaged royal reputation leads to serious consequences."

Lian Hua retorted, "My personal affairs are my own. The Elder was brought in by my coercion. Your Majesty can deal with me directly."

Jiang Lingyou was taken aback for a moment. She hadn't expected Lian Hua to exhibit such audacity. While it was easy to label Lian Hua as self-serving and fame-hungry, one could also recognize her fearlessness in facing the repercussions of her actions.

With a smile, Jiang Lingyou said, "Sister, you're quite bold, but perhaps you should leave now."

Lian Hua's brow furrowed. "What brings you here?"

Jiang Lingyou confidently replied, "I'm here to marry Xiao Zhen, as commanded by my father."

Lian Hua's face fell even further. Was Xiao Zhen truly so desirable? Her younger sister, the first beauty, and Jiang Lingyou, the fifth beauty, were both vying for him. If you counted herself, there were three contenders.

Though she might not possess the utmost beauty, she was undeniably attractive. Today, Xiao Zhen was set to become the talk of the capital.

After all, he was the only man in the entire city who had captured the hearts of three renowned beauties.

Ignoring Lian Hua, Jiang Lingyou turned to Xiao Zhen, flashing an enticing smile. "Xiao Zhen, what do you think? Am I worthy of you?"

The moment those words left her lips, envy and admiration rippled through both the Lian and Xiao families. A princess, a royal with beauty and status, offering herself in marriage—who wouldn't covet such a union?

"How lucky Xiao Zhen is!" everyone thought, inwardly grumbling. "That kid really hit the jackpot!"

Indeed, Jiang Lingyou was a hundred times more appealing than Lian Hua.

As the tension in the air escalated, Lian Xiang felt a surge of anxiety. What was she to do? This was a princess, and it seemed inevitable that Xiao Zhen would agree to the proposal.

If only she had spoken up first! Regret flooded her thoughts, realizing that now she had no chance.

Lian Hua clenched her teeth in frustration. In the presence of Jiang Lingyou, she felt utterly outmatched.

Except for one thing—her realm.

No, she couldn't just concede. She had put in so much effort and lost face; she couldn't walk away without a fight.

Determined, Lian Hua stepped forward, her voice icy. "Princess, in terms of cultivation, I surpass you. You are merely at the Martial Emperor's Ninth Cycle."

A palpable silence followed her declaration.

With a sudden burst of energy, she unleashed her Martial Venerate aura, causing the atmosphere to tremble as it surged around her like a tempest.

The surrounding space quaked as if responding to her strength, turning pale in its wake. The force of her presence reverberated through the area, echoing like thunder.

Members of the Lian family, Xiao family, and even those from the royal court exchanged astonished glances.

At such a young age, Lian Hua wielded the power of a Martial Venerate. Her future potential was clearly immense.

While she might not rival Xiao Zhen, there was no doubt she could achieve the status of Martial Saint. In their minds, only Xiao Zhen was worthy of her.

What advantage could the Fourth Princess possibly have in the face of such prowess?

As the murmurs subsided, all eyes turned toward Jiang Lingyou, curious to see how she would respond to the sudden challenge.

With a calm demeanor, Jiang Lingyou met Lian Hua's gaze, unfazed by the display of power. "Your strength is indeed impressive, Sister. But power is not the only factor that matters in a marriage."

This simple acknowledgment sent ripples of surprise through the crowd.

Jiang Lingyou's graceful stance and her composed manner made it clear that she was not intimidated. Her confidence shone brightly, as if to say that her royal status and charisma held weight beyond mere cultivation levels.

"Even if you are a Martial Venerate," she continued, "you cannot deny the advantages of being part of the royal family. There are many aspects to consider when choosing a partner."

Lian Hua clenched her fists in frustration, realizing that Jiang Lingyou was right. She felt the mounting pressure of the situation.

With a quick glance at Xiao Zhen, Lian Hua's resolve hardened. "Xiao Zhen," she said, her voice steady but laced with urgency, "you know our past. You have feelings for me, don't you? You can't just abandon me for a princess!"

Xiao Zhen looked between the two women, the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.

He could feel their determination and the stakes of the moment. He had to choose, but the tension was palpable, and his heart raced.

"Lian Hua, you have your ambitions, but Jiang Lingyou..." Xiao Zhen hesitated, searching for the right words. "She brings a different level of connection, a royal connection."

With a resigned sigh, Lian Hua realized the truth. In her pursuit of power and reputation, she had overlooked the significance of relationships.

Before the gathered crowd, the rivalry had escalated beyond mere affection. It had become a battle of status and dignity, entwined with the fate of their families.

As the atmosphere grew heavier, the tension reached a boiling point, and everyone held their breath, waiting to see how this extraordinary clash would unfold.

In that moment, all eyes were on Xiao Zhen, who stood at the center of this unforeseen storm, the destiny of three remarkable women resting upon his decision.