A Beauty Beyond Compare

Translator: CinderTL

Though jealousy gnawed at him, Xu Sanyan was no fool to rush headlong into danger.

The fact that this man dared to kill Wang Chengming, and yet Prince Rui not only refrained from holding him accountable but even betrothed his daughter to him, spoke volumes about his standing in the prince's eyes.

Xu Sanyan naturally noticed the young man standing ahead, scrutinizing him, but he paid him no further attention.

The young man's expression shifted, finally breaking into a smile as he approached, "I've long heard of Young Master Xu's fame. I am Cui Jie, at your service."

Xu Sanyan glanced at him sideways, nodded indifferently, and did not engage further.

Being slighted, especially by a perceived rival in love, stirred anger in Cui Jie, making it hard to maintain his forced smile.

"Young Master Xu, achieving fame at such a young age, truly a grand reputation," Cui Jie ventured a veiled jab, emboldened by being on his home turf.

Xu Sanyan turned his gaze, locking eyes with him. Cui Jie, feeling a twinge of guilt, was about to look away but then remembered he was in the Cui residence—what was there to fear? So, he mustered the courage to meet Xu Sanyan's gaze.

"Speak one more word, and I'll have your head hanging on the city gates," Xu Sanyan stated calmly.

"You!" Cui Jie glared, wanting to lash out but dared not, truly fearing Xu Sanyan might carry out his threat.

At that moment, a middle-aged scholar hurried over, followed by a woman—the head of the Cui family and Yang Qizhu.

"Hahaha, Young Master Xu, your esteemed presence graces us. We apologize for the belated welcome," the Cui family head greeted with a smile, though as the patriarch of a prominent family, he dared not be presumptuous in front of Xu Sanyan, who was soon to be Prince Rui's son-in-law.

Xu Sanyan ceased his attention on Cui Jie, turning instead to exchange pleasantries with the two.

Cui Jie's face darkened, a storm of fury brewing within, especially humiliated in front of his beloved.

If looks could kill, Xu Sanyan would have been torn to shreds.

Yang Qizhu frowned, sensing the discord between the two, and adopted a stern tone, "Young Master Xu has come from afar. Instead of attending to him, what are you doing here?"

Cui Jie clenched his teeth, suppressing his rage as he bowed, "Aunt's reprimand is just."

The Cui family head naturally waved his hand, offering an out, "Your mother is calling for you. Best hurry along."

Cui Jie lowered his head, his expression unreadable, forcing out the words, "I'll go now," before turning and leaving without a backward glance.

Yang Qizhu watched his retreating figure, sighing inwardly. She was well aware of her nephew's feelings, but what could she do?

Cui Jie's mother was her own sister, yet he harbored inappropriate affections for her.

In her heart, she had always treated Cui Jie as a younger relative to be cared for, but he wished for more...

The Cui family head paid no heed to his son, focusing entirely on Xu Sanyan as they conversed animatedly.

After a while, Xu Sanyan steered the conversation to the main topic, "Miss Yang, are the twenty precious medicines we discussed earlier still available?"

Yang Qizhu smiled, "Of course, we'll have them delivered to your residence shortly."

Xu Sanyan nodded, "No need, I'll take them with me."

Twenty precious medicines meant twenty points of "Vitality." With these, he might attempt to break through to the Mid Stage of the Celestial Being Realm. He couldn't trust others to handle them.

Upon hearing this, the Cui family head beckoned a servant from afar, "Fetch twenty precious medicines from the storeroom."

"Yes," the servant acknowledged and left.

Yang Qizhu tilted her slender neck, gazing at Xu Sanyan, "I heard Father has betrothed my younger sister to you?"

Xu Sanyan nodded, "Indeed."

Yang Qizhu exchanged a subtle glance with the Cui family head before speaking slowly, "Young Master Xu, have you heard about my sister's condition?"

Xu Sanyan frowned, having caught their silent exchange. Was there more to this?

"Please elaborate, Miss Yang."

The Cui family head gave an almost imperceptible nod, prompting Yang Qizhu to continue, "My sister is gentle and pure-hearted, a rare virtuous wife and mother, but..."

Xu Sanyan pressed, "But what?"

"Ah..." Yang Qizhu seemed hesitant, "My sister was born with spasms in her limbs, and her appearance is... somewhat unusual."

Xu Sanyan understood but was unfazed. After all, he wasn't marrying Yang Qiyuan for her person but to uncover the cultivators behind Prince Rui.

Then it dawned on him—what was Yang Qizhu's aim in telling him this?

To sow discord between him and Prince Rui?

Or to persuade him to call off the marriage?

Xu Sanyan shook his head. If he dared to break off the engagement today, Prince Rui would spare no effort to eliminate him.

In this era, being jilted was a profound disgrace, especially for a figure as significant as Prince Rui.

The dignity of the royal family was not to be defiled!

Her intention must be to make Xu Sanyan harbor resentment towards Prince Rui, giving her a chance to win him over.

Xu Sanyan inwardly scoffed. Women held little allure for him. If Yang Qiyuan proved useless, she could serve as mere decoration.

Just then, light footsteps approached, drawing the attention of all three.

A graceful woman entered the hall, clad in a pale green gown that accentuated her slender figure.

Her eyes, like crescent moons in the night sky, sparkled with a crystalline hue. Her cheeks flushed with a hint of shyness as she stole a glance at Xu Sanyan before quickly lowering her gaze.

She paused, offering a graceful bow, her enticing lips parting, "I am Cui Wanying, greeting Father, Aunt, and Young Master Xu."

Xu Sanyan's eyes lit up—this woman was indeed a beauty beyond compare!

Yang Qizhu discreetly observed Xu Sanyan's reaction, formulating a plan. Truly, even heroes falter at the sight of beauty. For a young man like Xu Sanyan, nothing was more tempting than a beautiful woman.

The Cui family head smiled, "Allow me to introduce Young Master Xu. This is my niece, intelligent from a young age, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—a rare talent."

Cui Wanying softly replied, "You flatter me, Family Head."

Yang Qizhu spoke up, "Young Master Xu, do you recall when I mentioned that the Cui family wished to have you as a son-in-law?"

Xu Sanyan nodded, "Indeed, I remember. Could it be... this young lady?"

"Exactly."

Yang Qizhu sighed with regret, "Alas, Father's decree has torn apart a potential match made in heaven..."

Xu Sanyan's gaze swept over Cui Wanying with an invasive curiosity, wondering what sounds she might make.

As for Yang Qizhu's words, he dismissed them with disdain—such a crude attempt at sowing discord.

If he were truly an eighteen-year-old youth, it might have worked.

Cui Wanying gestured behind her, and two servants approached with neatly stacked wooden boxes, "Young Master Xu, here are the precious medicines for you."

"Thank you, Miss Cui."

Xu Sanyan's demeanor was all smiles, a stark contrast to his earlier interaction with Cui Jie.

Cui Wanying personally placed the boxes one by one on the table beside Xu Sanyan, her sleeves wafting a fragrant breeze that stirred the imagination.

Their eyes met briefly, and Cui Wanying shyly averted her gaze.

Yang Qizhu and the Cui family head exchanged a glance, nodding subtly in agreement.

The infatuation of youth—such is human nature.

(End of the Chapter)

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