Chapter 967: Chapter 967

The middle-aged man froze for quite a while before regaining his senses. Nervously, he looked at Prince Nalan and said, "Father, are you… are you planning to marry off the Shen family's Miss Shen to Tianyu?"

Prince Nalan shot him a glance and said, "Do you think they're incompatible?"

"No… no, that's not what I mean..." The middle-aged man waved his hand hurriedly. He knew how doting Prince Nalan was toward Nalan Tianyu. No matter how large a mistake Nalan Tianyu made, Prince Nalan would always shield him. However, this time, the situation seemed to be going too far.

The middle-aged man knew exactly what Nalan Tianyu was like. In the vicinity of the Capital, finding any noblewoman and marrying her off to Tianyu would already seem generous enough. Frankly speaking, Nalan Tianyu was truly unworthy of the Shen family's esteemed Miss Shen. Although he lived in the Capital, the middle-aged man had heard of the title "First Beauty of the Southern Six Provinces." Shen Qingyi was unquestionably a noblewoman who epitomized refinement, neither stepping outside the front court nor crossing the rear threshold of her family's manor. To marry her off to Nalan Tianyu would be nothing short of ruining Shen Qingyi.

Of course, he dared not voice such thoughts outright. Lowering his voice, he said instead, "Father, you should be well aware of Tianyu's personality. He's still immature, with a childish disposition, prone to occasional mistakes and mischief. For us, within the family, these are things we can forgive. But if we bring an outsider into our family, others might not see him in the same light. From what I've heard, the Shen family treasures Miss Shen like the jewel of their family. If Tianyu were to marry her, and later anger her with his actions, things… things might become difficult to resolve!"

Prince Nalan gave him another glance and asked, "Are you afraid of angering Shen Qingyi, or of angering Shen Tianjun?"

The middle-aged man was momentarily at a loss for words. Of course, what he feared most was the Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun. But in front of Prince Nalan, such sentiments were something he could not articulate.

"Father, honestly, the Shen family's influence is limited to the South. Here in the Capital, they have no standing. Tianyu is the eldest grandson of the Nalan family and will one day assume leadership of the family. I believe we should seek someone more suitable for him, someone who can ensure the Nalan family's better development in the Capital." He paused before adding in a low voice, "Perhaps we should select a family with stronger ties within the Capital. A marriage alliance like that would be far more beneficial to the Nalan family!"

Prince Nalan shook his head decisively and said, "The families in the Capital are useless. I've already made up my mind—the granddaughter of Shen Tianjun is the most suitable candidate!"

"This…" The middle-aged man had not expected Prince Nalan to be so resolute. Gritting his teeth, he pressed on with obvious reluctance, "Father, Tianyu is arrogant and self-centered, completely spoiled. Who knows what may happen in the future. Shen Qingyi is the Shen family's jewel. If Tianyu were to offend her, I… I fear Shen Tianjun won't let matters rest!"

Prince Nalan said gravely, "All said and done, you're still afraid of Shen Tianjun, aren't you?"

The middle-aged man sighed softly, then nodded slowly, "Father, your strength surely surpasses that of Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun. However, Shen Tianjun is still an exceptional individual. I believe there's no need for the Nalan family to make such a powerful enemy. Tianyu's marriage could await more thorough consideration; it doesn't necessarily have to involve a prominent martial arts family!"

"Humph!" Prince Nalan shot him a cold look and said sternly, "You still know far too little. This matter is already decided. Stop talking about it. Over the next few days, prepare yourself. Once things settle down here, I'll personally take Tianyu to Shen Family Manor to propose marriage!"

The middle-aged man hadn't anticipated Prince Nalan's obstinate stance and knew he could no longer persuade him. Resigned, he nodded helplessly and said, "Yes, Father!"

"By the way." Prince Nalan paused slightly and said, "As for Ye Qing, send someone to check on the situation. Tianyu's injuries aren't serious, so don't make things difficult for them."

"Understood!" The middle-aged man nodded, though it was clear to him that Prince Nalan wasn't truly inclined to forgive Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu. It was merely because he intended to visit Shen Family Manor to propose marriage that he couldn't afford to provoke Shen Tianjun beforehand. Thus, Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu were spared.

In truth, knowing Prince Nalan's favoritism toward Nalan Tianyu, were it not necessary for the proposal, Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu would have certainly faced severe consequences.

The middle-aged man descended the pavilion and let out a long sigh. As things had come to this point, even he wasn't sure whether to feel fortunate for Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu, or sorrowful for the Shen family. Given Nalan Tianyu's nature, should his marriage to Shen Qingyi truly go through, it would surely be the Shen family's greatest tragedy.

"The eldest grandson takes precedence! The eldest grandson takes precedence!" The middle-aged man shook his head repeatedly. Prince Nalan's mindset left him feeling deeply disheartened. The eldest grandson? What good is an eldest grandson like Nalan Tianyu, who might as well be a disgrace?

"Second Brother!" Just at that moment, a solid voice sounded from nearby. The middle-aged man looked up, only to find Nalan Tiancheng approaching.

"Tiancheng?" The middle-aged man was surprised and asked curiously, "Why are you here?"

"I came to practice martial arts with Grandpa!" Nalan Tiancheng replied.

"Practice martial arts with Grandpa?" The middle-aged man grew even more curious and asked, "Why… why would you go to Grandpa for martial arts training?"

"Grandpa said, from now on, I'm to practice boxing with him." Nalan Tiancheng stated.

"What?" The middle-aged man's eyes widened in astonishment, utterly caught off guard by this revelation.

Prince Nalan was a peculiar figure, but he was also highly traditional, adhering strictly to hierarchical norms and prioritizing the eldest grandson above all. Nalan Tianyu's position within the Nalan family was practically untouchable, with no one daring to criticize him. Many elders were dissatisfied with Nalan Tianyu's behavior, yet Prince Nalan appeared oblivious, always favoring him. Despite Nalan Tianyu's lack of skill and talent, he was the sole recipient of Prince Nalan's personal martial arts instruction—a privilege that left the rest of the family both envious and powerless.

This turn of events had thoroughly confounded the middle-aged man. Prince Nalan unexpectedly summoned Nalan Tiancheng for martial arts training. Why? Among this generation's grandchildren, only Nalan Tianyu had ever been allowed such training, and no one else was deemed qualified for it. Today, however, Prince Nalan, known for his strict adherence to hierarchical norms, had invited Nalan Tiancheng—the fifth-ranked grandson—to train under him. This bizarre decision was entirely unprecedented. Should he wish to train another grandchild, it would naturally begin with Second Brother, not bypass him for Fifth Brother Tiancheng.

The middle-aged man couldn't help but scratch his head, bewildered by Prince Nalan's strange departure from his usual principles. Was Prince Nalan beginning to waver in his notions of hierarchy? Yet he continued to spoil Nalan Tianyu so much, which raised further questions.

Even though he was Prince Nalan's son, the middle-aged man couldn't grasp what was truly in his father's mind. Eventually, he shook his head, deciding not to dwell on matters too intricate. Prince Nalan's peculiar behavior had always exceeded ordinary understanding.

Returning to his own pavilion, the middle-aged man immediately called a family member to inquire about Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu's situation, only to learn they had already boarded a flight out of the Capital. Meanwhile, Nalan Fangyuan was at the airport facing off against Liu Mubai.

The middle-aged man knew Liu Mubai's name and was quite surprised to hear he had arrived in the Capital. Learning Liu Mubai had come to assist Ye Qing only deepened his astonishment.

"Why would Liu Mubai suddenly appear to help Ye Qing?" The middle-aged man murmured, puzzled. He had heard much about Liu Mubai, particularly that even Meng District General Helian Tiehua had failed to recruit him. Yet now, here he was, helping Ye Qing—a shock indeed. What was so special about Ye Qing? Not only had he been instructed in martial arts by both Northern and Southern Fist Kings, but he had also won Huangfu Ziyu's heart and even enlisted Liu Mubai's aid.

"Ye Qing!" The middle-aged man repeated the name quietly and chuckled softly. "How intriguing."

"Big Brother, Meng District's Wolf Liu Mubai is incredibly formidable. In a duel against Fangyuan, do you think he might have the upper hand?" someone beside him said softly. "Should we send more people to assist Fangyuan?"

"No need!" The middle-aged man shook his head. "They're merely sparring in martial arts, not engaging in a life-or-death battle. There's nothing to worry about. Besides, Fangyuan's skill may not be inferior to Liu Mubai's. If they truly fight, the outcome is still unpredictable, so there's no need for concern."

"Understood." The man nodded and then asked hesitantly, "But what about Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu? I've received word that the two took a flight to the Miao Borderlands. What could they be planning there? Since they injured so many members of our Nalan family, how about I take some people to the Miao Borderlands and bring them back?"

"No need!" The middle-aged man glanced at him and replied, "Father has already said not to pursue this matter further."

"What?" The man's eyes widened in disbelief. "Tianyu… Tianyu was injured this badly, and we're not pursuing this matter?"

"It's Father's decision!" The middle-aged man replied firmly.

"Oh…" The man fell silent, his tone resigned. Prince Nalan's decisions left no room for others to intervene.

"Still…" The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then added solemnly, "Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu spent only three hours in the Capital before flying to the Miao Borderlands. Their visit to the Capital seems extremely rushed. Yet, how did word of their arrival in the Capital get leaked?"