Chapter 2714

Qingyun’s face twisted with a hint of disdain and contempt. "However, the head of the Hong family proposed this marriage repeatedly. My late father was moved, and after meeting the young master of the Hong family at that time, he agreed to this engagement. Thus, he wrote this contract, witnessed by Heaven and Earth."

As Qingyun spoke, she glanced at Hong Xiao. Hong Xiao’s face turned pale. "At that time, my late father also considered that if our personalities did not match when we grew up, it would be unfortunate if we became enemies instead of in-laws. Therefore, when obtaining the witness of Heaven and Earth, there was a proviso. The proviso clearly stated that if either party had someone they loved in their heart, they could explain it in advance, and thus this engagement would be void."

Qingyun looked at Hong Xiao and said, "Young Master Hong, I came here today not to question when you and Qingxia developed true feelings. Saying that the Qing family prepared a dowry for me is a lie that could only fool a three-year-old child. Of course, since you have feelings for each other, I will not be the one to stand in your way. As the saying goes, it is better to destroy ten temples than to break a marriage. Since you wish to marry today, I will fulfill your wish. From this day forward, our engagement turns to ashes."

As she finished speaking, the witness of Heaven and Earth in her hand instantly turned to ashes. This indicated that the Heavenly Dao allowed Qingyun’s request.

Qingyun smiled again. "I must also thank you, Young Master Hong, for not marrying me. If you had married me, how would I have known that there are such shameless men in this world?"

Hong Xiao was speechless. He wanted to say something, but he knew he could say nothing at this moment because he was the one who had done wrong, and naturally, he could not make excuses.

Qingyun then looked at Qingxia. "Back then, you clearly knew that the Qing family’s quota for the Hundred Changes Forest would not include me. At least, my cultivation level was not qualified at that time. Yet, you secretly filled in my name and had people plot against me in secret."

"You are talking nonsense." Qingxia did not expect Qingyun to speak so directly. Her directness left Qingxia momentarily at a loss for words.

Qingyun waved her hand. "Rest assured, I am not complaining about you; I am thanking you. If it were not for your陷害 (frame-up), I would not have met my current master, nor would I have realized how vast the world is. Especially for a woman who can cultivate, the world is so large. If one is confined to a small space, one is truly ruined. Now, I am free and my cultivation is progressing smoothly. So, besides thanking you, I do not know what else to say."

Having said this, Qingyun turned to Qing Sen. "Head of the Family, I came only to settle matters. Now that things are settled, you may continue with the wedding."

Qingyun’s carefree attitude earned her some favor from Lan Tian, the head of the Lan family, who stood nearby.

"Miss Qingyun, do you really not regret losing this marriage?" Lan Tian was also twenty-four years old. However, because his parents liked to be hands-off, he had been left in charge of the Lan family. Perhaps because he had been an elite since childhood, he remained indifferent to everyone. He had originally come to the wedding merely for courtesy, never expecting to meet an interesting young lady like Qingyun.

Qingyun raised her eyebrows slightly. "Why would I miss a man who could cheat at any time? If someone likes her, I give her to them. Anyway, I do not want her."

She then looked at her feet. "It is like a pair of shoes. If they do not fit my feet, no matter how shiny and beautiful they look on the outside, I will not take them."

"Miss Qingyun speaks well." Lan Tian praised her, deeply agreeing with her words.

"Qingyun, it is good that you have returned." Qing Shan, standing nearby, looked at Qingyun with eyes full of relief. "Child, since you recognized me, why did you not acknowledge me?"

"Great-Granduncle, when you came to my house, there was a tail behind you. I did not want my existence to be discovered so quickly. If it were not to comfort you, I would not have even planned to let Qing He come out," Qingyun said directly.

That was right. Qingyun had discovered at that time that someone was following behind Qing Shan.

Qing Shan raised his eyebrows slightly, then smiled. "You are right. Perhaps because I am old, I am no longer valued." Then Qing Shan turned to Qing Sen. "Head of the Family, I am old. Let someone else take the position of Grand Elder."

Qing Sen was startled and looked at Qing Shan. "Grand Elder, what do you mean by that?"

Qing Shan said calmly, "It means exactly what it says. I am old and tired. It is not easy to handle the affairs of the Qing family anymore. So, handing over the position to someone you deem suitable is not a good thing?"

Although Qing Sen had always wanted Qing Shan to step down, he could not entertain such thoughts at this moment. Qing Shan still had some authority in the Qing family, and he was currently the only Martial Venerable in the Qing family. Such a person was not one he dared to let go.

"Grand Elder, I know you are angry about Qingxia’s matter. Look, Qingyun has already given up this engagement," Qing Sen said, as if telling him to stop making a fuss.

Qing Shan sneered. "You think too highly of your own daughter." Then he laughed coldly. "You also think too highly of your own face. To tell you the truth, I do not want to stay in the Qing family anymore because the Qing family makes people feel disgusted."

"Grand Elder, think carefully before making a decision," said Da Lu.

Qing Shan looked at Da Lu. "Da Lu, I remember when I first met you, you were a beggar. I saw that you cared for your brothers and thought your character was good, so I took you in. Although I did not take you as a disciple, I taught you martial arts and gave you a way out.

I had once thought that there might be traitors around me, but I never thought you would betray me. Although I do not know why you did this, it does not matter. The matter is what it is. From now on, you walk your own path. I will not stop you, and you need not try to persuade me."

Qing Shan’s personality was like this. Once he saw things clearly, it was better to speak openly.

Da Lu only now understood why Qing Shan had said he would give him orders the next day but did not. He had originally thought it was because Qing Shan was happy to have found his great-nephew and thus did not want to do anything, at least for the time being. Now he realized he had misunderstood. Qing Shan had known all along that he had betrayed him, which is why he did not tell him the plan.

Da Lu’s face turned pale, but Qing Shan ignored him and only said to Qing Sen, "Look, how failed I am as a person. Even my trusted confidant betrayed me. This shows that I am truly old. Therefore, it is better to hand over the position. I do not want to die without leaving a good name."

Qing Shan’s words were indeed beautiful because they were direct. And because of this beauty, Qing Sen could not stop him from leaving.