Chapter 4: Accepting a Marriage Alliance

Qin Zi Mo frowned. "I have an Engagement tomorrow, and I still have to get up early."

Qiao An clung to him, with a youthful rebellion, "Just because you have an Engagement, you must be with me tonight!"

Song Huan Yan returned to her private residence at one thirty in the morning.

The on‑duty maid, surprised to see her so late, said, "Ma, Miss."

Song Huan Yan gave a detached nod and stepped upstairs.

The maid seemed to recall something and smiled, "Happy birthday, Miss!"

Song Huan Yan halted, then after a moment turned her gaze to the maid, gave a faint nod, and turned back to her own room.

Early the next morning.

Song Huan Yan was awakened by her mother.

Mother Ning Shuyue sat on the bedside, "Yan Yan, darling, happy birthday! Today is your birthday banquet; you can't oversleep."

Song Huan Yan rose and nodded, "Thank you, Mom."

Today is her Engagement to Qin Zi Mo, but publicly the Song Family says it's Song Huan Yan's birthday banquet.

Because a family like the Song Family naturally disapproves of Qin Zi Mo.

Yet Song Huan Yan is headstrong, refusing a family Marriage Alliance and insisting on pursuing love.

Her parents love her, so they don't interfere much, but non‑interference doesn't mean they're not dissatisfied.

Thus today the Song Family invited guests under the pretense of a birthday banquet.

The Song parents calculated that if Song Huan Yan still insists on Qin Zi Mo, announcing the Engagement at the birthday banquet would be reasonable and not abrupt.

The Song Family is one of Kyoto's top Aristocratic Families, and they're somewhat embarrassed to publicly call this an Engagement banquet.

Because from the perspective of Song's father and mother, this future son‑in‑law is simply unacceptable.

Song Huan Yan got up, and Ning Shuyue handed her a warm cup of honey water. "Have you decided to announce the Engagement today? Yan Yan, you must think it through; the Phoenix Man isn't very reliable. There are many Great Families wanting a Marriage Alliance with you, and in recent days some have even approached your father."

Song Huan Yan drank the honey water, her voice a little hoarse yet still wrapped in emotionless coolness, "Mom, I'm not having the Engagement."

Ning Shuyue had intended to persuade her, but the words stuck in her throat, surprised and delighted, "Really?"

She had only been giving routine advice and never expected Song Huan Yan to listen.

Song Huan Yan's temperament is aloof, yet she is very persistent about Qin Zi Mo.

Ning Shuyue looked at Song Huan Yan, somewhat unable to believe it.

Song Huan Yan nodded, "It's true."

After saying that, she went to wash up.

When she emerged from washing, Ning Shuyue asked, "Why this sudden decision? Did Qin Zi Mo do something that wronged you?"

Song Huan Yan nodded, "Hmm."

She remains as cool as a spring, as graceful as a chrysanthemum, with no hint of change in expression or feeling.

Ning Shuyue's eyes reddened; she knows her daughter's cool temperament, but regarding Qin Zi Mo she has probably exhausted all her enthusiasm.

"What did he do?" Ning Shuyue asked impatiently. "He dares to bully you? Does he think the Song Family will take him lightly?! Suppress him! Immediately suppress him! I'll tell your older brother right now!"

"No need." Song Huan Yan stopped Ning Shuyue. "I have my own plan, Mom, you don't have to interfere."

Ning Shuyue wiped her tears, "The maid said you went out very late last night and didn't return until early morning, so I suppose..."

You must have discovered something last night!

"My poor daughter..." Ning Shuyue said, heart aching.

Her daughter has been cool since childhood, but when such a temperament receives passion, it hurts especially deeply.

"I'm fine." Song Huan Yan lifted her hand to brush away Ning Shuyue's tears. "Didn't you say there are many Great Families wanting a Marriage Alliance with me?"

"You…accept a Marriage Alliance?" Ning Shuyue was delighted.

"Hmm." Song Huan Yan nodded, "You can arrange it."

"Great!" Ning Shuyue was happy again. "Since they're both families, a marriage alliance is still good."

There are business benefits and an alliance, so even if they part ways the interests are guaranteed.

"Don't worry, Mom will definitely pick the best and most suitable one for you!"

"Alright. Thank you, Mom." Song Huan Yan slightly lifted her lips.

Ning Shuyue beamed, hurriedly saying, "There are two families I think are quite suitable right now."

"Your suggestion." Song Huan Yan lifted the honey water.

Ning Shuyue said, "The Leng Eldest Son Leng Jian Yue of Kyoto, and also the Nan Gong Clan Eldest Son Nan Gong Yu. Shall we arrange to meet them both first?"

Song Huan Yan took a small sip of the honey water, "Nan Gong Clan…unreachable…Nan Gong Yu…"

Ning Shuyue continued, "In terms of lineage, the Nan Gong Clan is certainly the top choice. Moreover, you know I have a good relationship with Nan Gong Madam Gu Qinghe; your aunt Qing naturally wants you as a daughter‑in‑law. But…"

"Then arrange the Leng family first," Song Huan Yan said.

Ning Shuyue was a bit disappointed and asked, "So you just don't favor your Nan Gong brother?"

Song Huan Yan slightly frowned.

"But, sigh," Ning Shuyue sighed, "Yi Han also has a cold, detached temperament; you two are both cold, so there may be little to talk about. He's much older than you, thirty‑one this year. Moreover, he… ahem… has already had a marriage alliance before, so he isn't that suitable. The Leng Eldest Son is indeed more suitable."

Song Huan Yan nodded, "Hmm."

Nan Gong Yu, styled Yi Han, is the family's eldest son, with a younger brother and sister, and the family relations are fairly harmonious.

But her impression of Nan Gong Yu is that he is cold, colder than her, rigid and seemingly more formal, exuding an imposing aura.

Sitting with him indeed leaves nothing to say; she never spoke much to begin with.

Moreover, the Nan Gong Clan doesn't dominate only domestically; it reigns supreme worldwide.

Nan Gong Yu, as the family's eldest son, was groomed from childhood as the standard heir, with almost no leisure time, so although the two families have been fairly friendly over the years, she has only seen Nan Gong Yu a few times.

After taking control of the family corporation, Nan Gong Yu propelled the Nan Gong Conglomerate to the global pinnacle within five short years, becoming a truly world‑leading top‑tier conglomerate.

A year ago she formed a marriage alliance with the Cold Family's Eldest Daughter Leng Bai Wei, and the two spent some time together as an unmarried couple.

But later it seems she heard that the engagement had been dissolved.

However, Song Huan Yan didn't ask why specifically.

She thinks she heard Ning Shuyue mention it, but she forgot.

Ning Shuyue saw her looking thoughtful and simply said, "How about we first have a … with Yi Han?"

Song Huan Yan cut off her mother, "No, Mother. If it doesn't succeed, you would also lose face."

Ning Shuyue thought for a moment, nodded, "Alright, as you wish."

Her daughter has always been exceptionally intelligent, mindful of the overall situation, and very composed.

If the two families, which have a good relationship, don't succeed, it would be somewhat awkward.

Therefore, given her daughter's thorough and considerate nature, any noble family that marries her will be blessed to have her as the matriarch.

Mother looks at her daughter and sees a hundred good qualities.

Ning Shuyue looked at her affectionately and reminded, "Once you're ready, go get your makeup and styling; today is your birthday, you must look beautiful!"

After saying she was leaving, she still asked with concern, "Yan Yan, you really aren't feeling unwell, are you?"

Accepting a marriage alliance so quickly—either she snapped out of it instantly, or… she's being spiteful.

Song Huan Yan set down her cup and coolly looked at Ning Shuyue, "Mother, I don't pick up trash."

Song Huan Yan went to choose a dress and do her makeup.

Before long, her two close friends arrived.

Sang Wan, Tang Chenge.

Both are wearing simple gowns today, with elegant and delicate light makeup, neither stealing the spotlight nor out of place.

Seeing Song Huan Yan, Sang Wan smiled and said, "Congratulations, congratulations!"

Tang Chenge also smiled and said, "The long‑standing wish finally comes true! After the engagement, will we start planning the wedding?"