"Mm!" Xiao Ziyan nodded and chose to believe.

"Ziyan, don't make trouble!" Xiao Yuanshan shouted fiercely.

"I've said, this is my matter. If you obstruct again, I will cancel this birthday banquet!" Xiao Ziyan showed a threatening expression.

"Ziyan, what happened?"

At this moment, a voice came from the door, drawing all eyes to Duanmu Lanshan, who was dressed exceptionally elegantly today.

Moreover, she exuded an irresistible sense of authority with each step she took.

"It's Madam Xiao, she's here too!" Someone whispered, "I must say, even though Madam Xiao is getting older, she remains charming. No wonder she could have such a beautiful daughter!"

Indeed, the sudden arrival was Duanmu Lanshan, who had sensed the disturbance in the main hall and came to see what happened.

"Mom, it's nothing!" Xiao Ziyan shook her head.

"Still saying it's nothing!" Xiao Yuanshan showed a look of frustration and continued, "She accepted the fake token of Emperor Star Academy on her own, which forces the Xiao Family into a dead end. Lanshan, see what a good daughter you've raised!"

"Fake token?" Upon hearing this, Duanmu Lanshan's beautiful eyes flickered, "What do you mean?"

Following this, Xiao Yuanshan explained the entire situation to Duanmu Lanshan, which shocked her as well—Xiao Tianyu International faked the Emperor Star Order and gifted it as a birthday present to Xiao Ziyan? What... what's the motive?

Thinking this over, Duanmu Lanshan spoke to Xiao Ziyan, "Ziyan, let me see that token!"

"No!" Xiao Ziyan shook her head. If she handed it over, would Duanmu Lanshan give it back? After all, it was a birthday gift from her elder brother.

"Becoming more unreasonable!" Xiao Yuanshan roared.

"Forget it!" Duanmu Lanshan waved her hand gently and scanned the crowd with her beautiful eyes, saying, "Everyone present has seen today, the token has no relation to the Xiao Family and is entirely the act of Xiao Tianyu International. Ziyan is young and naive, hence accepting the token. If Emperor Star Academy pursues the issue of the fake token, I hope all of you can testify for the Xiao Family!"

Duanmu Lanshan's words were very decisive, immediately cutting ties with Xiao Tianyu International, stating that even if they came for Xiao Ziyan, they had nothing to do with the Xiao Family.

"Rest assured, Madam Xiao, we are all witnesses!" Voices kept coming from the crowd.

"Good!" Duanmu Lanshan smiled gracefully, "I thank you all in advance!"

After speaking, Duanmu Lanshan directed her beautiful eyes towards Old Liu and Mo Hanshan, and continued, "Since both of you've delivered your gifts, isn't it time to leave now?"

Was she issuing a guest dismissal?

Mo Hanshan's gaze turned to Duanmu Lanshan, smiling, "Madam Xiao, we're sorry, we came today not only to celebrate the young lady's birthday but also under orders from the president to protect the young lady, hence we cannot leave!"

"Eh?" Hearing thus, Duanmu Lanshan's brows furrowed slightly, "Does my Xiao Family need protection from Xiao Tianyu International?"

"Members of Xiao Family have no qualification to be protected by Xiao Tianyu International, but Miss Ziyan must be protected!" Old Liu's powerful voice left many astonished—Xiao Family isn't qualified for protection from Xiao Tianyu International? What kind of weird message was that?

"Arrogant!" A strong member of the Xiao Family snorted coldly, as Duanmu Lanshan waved her hand, "Forget it, since they shamelessly refuse to leave, let's leave it as is!"

After all, today is Xiao Ziyan's birthday and also the day for the Xiao Family to choose a suitor, Duanmu Lanshan didn't want any incidents.

She glanced at the crowd and continued, "Today's true purpose of Ziyan's birthday, I'm sure everyone present understands. I won't elaborate further. After you've all eaten and drunk enough, please gather in front of the main hall of the Xiao Family, where everything has been prepared!"

As her voice fell, many young people's eyes in the hall lit up with excitement—has the time for choosing a husband finally arrived?

...

Afternoon, Xiao Family Main Hall.

The Xiao Family Main Hall is the oldest hall of the Xiao Family, passed down for thousands of years, and the hall with the highest authority. Unless there's a major event, the Xiao Family doesn't use the main hall.

At this moment, below the ninety-nine steps of the Xiao Family Main Hall, there was a large crowd, numbering hundreds. Most of these were young talents, coming to witness the Xiao Family choosing a husband.

Xiao Ziyan, one of the three great beauties of Fengzhou City, and now the Xiao Family is using Xiao Ziyan's sixteenth birthday to choose a husband for her. This was long spread among the Ancient Martial Clans of Fengzhou City.

Xiao Yuanshan and Duanmu Lanshan stood at the very front of the hall, looking down as Xiao Yuanshan spoke, "Heroes and disciples of various families, please ascend the ninety-nine steps. This is the Xiao Family choosing a husband, welcoming all from the same community to witness together!"

As the voice fell, many figures wandered out. These were strong individuals from various families, who came to the steps sides, dispersed, and then sat down.

Duanmu Lanshan said, "For this choosing of a husband, our Xiao Family has already discussed, to ensure fairness, anyone under the age of twenty-five is qualified to participate, regardless of whether they are disciples of the four major families!"

Duanmu Lanshan continued, "In Xiao Family choosing a husband, regardless of background, only those with outstanding talent will be chosen as the son-in-law of our Xiao Family. Therefore, anyone who thinks they have enough talent can register!"

As these words fell, endless youths showed a look of anticipation—is there really a chance?

And Duanmu Lanshan continued, "Anyone wishing to register, please proceed to the registration area, once you've recorded your name and age, you will have the qualification to participate in today's Xiao Family choosing a husband event. Of course, the age must not exceed twenty-five!"

Upon hearing this, many youths looked towards the registration area, seeing three Xiao Family members holding rosters, a table covered in red cloth in front of them.

Soon, youths went over there one after another and lined up, registering systematically, and each appeared quite gentlemanly. After all, the target is Xiao Ziyan; if one succeeds but has poor character and is kicked out by Xiao Ziyan, that's too unjust.

Xiao Ziyan, one of Fengzhou City's three great beauties, also exceptionally talented—who wouldn't be tempted? Even if most know they have no hope, they still try hard in hopes of a win.

At this moment, a particularly handsome young man, dressed casually and wearing sneakers, stood in the line, without any expression in his eyes, as if he didn't come for the choosing of a husband.

Soon, those ahead of this young man registered and left, as the Xiao family member holding the roster spoke, "Next!"

Hearing so, the young man stepped forward, glancing at the other party lightly.

"What's your name?"

"Xiao Tianyu!"

"How old are you?"

"24!"

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