Chapter 6Marriage discussion and awakening.
The next morning, Fen Hao accompanied his father, Fen Huang, to the Chu Family residence. As their carriage approached the grand gates, Fen Hao felt his heart quicken. This was no ordinary visit—it would shape the destiny of his life.
At the gates, they saw another familiar group. The He Family had also arrived, led by the stern and imposing figure of He Lingtiyan. Their son, He Liyantian, stepped forward, and for a brief moment, his cold eyes locked with Fen Hao's. A silent battle of wills passed between them—neither willing to look away first.
Chu Siyen, the matriarch of the Chu Family, emerged from the castle's main doors, her presence regal and commanding. She greeted both patriarchs with the grace of a queen and gestured for them to enter the main hall.
Within, the air was thick with unspoken tension. The three family heads and their children sat around a beautifully carved round table, an offering of tea and delicacies laid out in the center.
"Come in," Chu Siyen said softly.
At her command, two figures stepped into the hall, drawing the attention of everyone present. Chu Lanyun and Chu Nanyun entered, their every step a dance of elegance and poise. Dressed in flowing robes of gold and silver, their beauty was enough to still the hearts of even the most hardened warriors.
Chu Lanyun's hair flowed like a silken waterfall down her back, each strand shimmering under the light. Her golden eyes were sharp and mesmerizing, like a blade that could cut through the silence. Next to her, Chu Nanyun radiated a softer, more mischievous charm—her bright smile and twinkling eyes a gentle foil to her sister's cold perfection.
Fen Hao's breath caught in his throat. His soul stirred in recognition of Chu Lanyun's presence—a feeling he could not name but that echoed through every part of his being. And yet, in the same heartbeat, he felt a warmth for Chu Nanyun as well. Confusion and longing tangled within him, but one thing was clear: Chu Lanyun was more important to him than he could explain.
The room fell into a charged silence, each young heir measuring the other. Finally, Chu Siyen's voice cut through the quiet, calm but heavy with authority.
"Under the prophecy, my daughters have become the center of this storm," she said, her eyes sweeping over the young men. "But they are not weapons. They are my children. I will not see them used or sacrificed like pawns."
Her cold gaze sharpened, and the air in the hall seemed to freeze.
"So I have decided," she continued. "They will marry into one of your families. But I have only one condition: you must protect them with everything you have. Never let them cry. If you break this promise—" her voice grew cold as ice, and her killing aura swept the room, suffocating in its intensity— "I will crush your entire family, even if it costs me my life."
He Liyantian was the first to break the tension. Rising to his feet, he declared with unwavering confidence:
"I will definitely protect them. No matter what it takes."
Fen Hao sat still, his heart thundering in his chest. As he looked at the two sisters, a mix of determination and uncertainty welled up within him.
After He Liyantian made his bold declaration, his father, He Miyang, rose from his seat. His voice was calm and resolute as he looked at Chu Siyen.
"Marry them into my family," he said firmly. "I will ensure that both your daughters are protected and safe from any harm."
His words settled heavily over the room, and for a moment, a tense silence reigned.
Suddenly, Fen Hao's fist slammed down on the table with a thunderous crack. His eyes burned with fierce determination as he stood and faced the Chu Matriarch.
"Are you mocking us, or have you lost your mind?" Fen Hao's voice was sharp, his words cutting through the tension like a blade. "You're literally selling off your own daughters! Is this truly their wish, or is this your own selfish plan?"
Chu Siyen's lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile.
"Boy, are you saying you don't want them?" she asked softly, her eyes glinting with a hint of challenge.
"I want them," Fen Hao said without hesitation, his voice unwavering. "But they are not some item to be bargained away. They are people, with their own hearts and dreams. If you're going to treat them like tools, you might as well send them to war—it's the same thing."
His words fell like stones in the silent hall. Chu Lanyun and Chu Nanyun looked at him, their expressions shocked. In that moment, something shifted in their hearts—a tingling feeling of safety and an unfamiliar warmth.
Chu Siyen's eyes softened as she looked at her daughters, their faces flushed with emotion. She let out a small sigh and spoke again.
"Very well," she said, her smile returning. "Then let's do it this way. Within six years, you two boys will fight. The winner will have the right to marry my daughters. This is my decision."
Fen Hao's fists clenched at her words, anger and frustration warring inside him. He Liyantian stepped forward, his expression smug as he leaned in close to the Chu twins and whispered:
"I'll see you in six years… in my room."
Fen Hao heard those words, and in an instant, he grabbed He Liyantian by the collar and shouted, his voice filled with fury.
"You—!"
In that moment, Fen Hao's black hair turned stark white, and his blue eyes blazed crimson. Around him, an immense, bloodthirsty energy burst forth, flooding the hall with its murderous intent. Everyone present recoiled in shock at the sight of the young boy's sudden and terrifying transformation.
Fen Huang's mind flashed back to the mysterious woman's words—"Protect him tomorrow…" He moved swiftly, placing a hand on Fen Hao's shoulder and forcing him down.
"Calm yourself," Fen Huang said quietly, his voice firm.
The room was filled with questions, but none dared to speak them aloud. Chu Siyen met Fen Huang's eyes, her own expression unreadable.
"Prepare a room for my son to rest," Fen Huang said, his voice low and controlled.
With that, the marriage negotiations came to an abrupt and uneasy end. The He Family patriarch and He Liyantian left the Chu Mansion, while Fen Huang and Fen Hao remained as guests for the night.
That evening, as the moon rose high in the sky, Fen Huang and Chu Siyen met alone in a quiet chamber of the mansion. She looked at him, her eyes serious.
"Tell me, Fen Huang… who exactly is Fen Hao? And who is his mother?"
Fen Huang's eyes darkened as he gazed into the night. The secrets he carried were as heavy as the weight of the world itself.
End of Chapter 6.