Chapter 4: Not Wanting to Admit Defeat?

My god! Good thing I didn't get tangled up with that Jiang Feng back then!

Ye Xiaoyue hung up the phone, so excited she almost jumped up.

The face that had just been streaked with tears suddenly broke into a blooming smile, a world apart from the earlier collapse of sobbing.

She grabbed Xie Fang's hand, her tone full of relief.

"Mom, did you hear? Su Xueyan won't live much longer! Once Su Xueyan dies, the Su Family will be finished!"

"By then, Jiang Feng will be a dog nobody wants!"

Xie Fang also let out a sigh, patting her chest as if a thousand‑jin burden had been lifted.

"My daughter has good taste, marrying Zhao Shao is the right path! That Jiang Feng is just a poor wretch trying to reach for high branches; now it's fine, he'll share the Su Family's misfortune!"

Mother and daughter volleyed back and forth; the panic that the Su Family had just suppressed was long cast into the ninth heavens, and their minds were filled with scenes of soaring to success with the Zhao Family.

Ye Xiaoyue thought of the top‑tier banquet in Jiangcheng tonight and immediately turned toward the bedroom.

"Mom, I have to get dressed right away! Tonight's Chamber of Commerce Banquet is attended by Jiangcheng's bigwigs; I need to look gorgeous so Jiang Feng sees that even if I don't marry him, Ye Xiaoyue can still shine!"

Xie Fang hurried after her, helping Ye Xiaoyue rummage through the wardrobe.

"Right, right, right—wear that imported evening dress you bought last month, and the diamond necklace your dad gave you; you can't be outshone by anyone!"

Ye Xiaoyue sifted through the wardrobe and finally chose a bright silver slip‑dress.

The neckline was very low and the hem short, just enough to show off her long legs.

She applied heavy makeup in front of the mirror, slipped the diamond necklace on, twirled once, and proudly asked, "Mom, do I look good like this? Will Zhao Shao like me?"

"Beautiful! So beautiful!"

Xie Fang laughed until her eyes narrowed to slits.

"Our Xiaoyue is already pretty; with this look she's even prettier than Su Xueyan! Tonight she'll definitely outshine everyone!"

Just as she spoke, a car horn sounded at the door.

Ye Xiaoyue's eyes lit up: "It must be Zhao Shao! Mom, I'll go open the door!"

She stepped in high heels, swayed her hips to the door, and upon opening saw Zhao Qiancheng leaning against a red Ferrari, dressed in a tailored suit, holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Zhao Shao!"

Ye Xiaoyue instantly adopted a coquettish tone, hurried over and, taking the opportunity, looped her arm around Zhao Qiancheng's.

"How did you come so quickly? I thought you'd wait a while."

Zhao Qiancheng shoved the roses into her hand, his gaze sweeping over her outfit, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.

"Xiaoyue, you're really beautiful—did you dress up especially for tonight's banquet?"

"Of course!"

Ye Xiaoyue rested her head on his shoulder, her voice sweet to the point of cloying.

"I can't wait to see you all bring the Su Family down."

Zhao Qiancheng patted her hand, his tone laced with disdain.

"Don't worry, tonight I'll show you what it means to fall from the clouds into the mud."

"When our families join forces to crush the Su Family, Su Xueyan will be nothing but your plaything!"

Ye Xiaoyue's heart leapt with joy, and she quickly got into the car with Zhao Qiancheng.

Jiang Feng, Su Xueyan, get ready for misfortune tonight!

And my good days, Ye Xiaoyue's, have only just begun!

……

Meanwhile, at the Su Family Villa.

Su Ruiqing sat with Jiang Feng on the living‑room sofa, a freshly brewed pot of Longjing tea on the coffee table beside them.

Su Xueyan sat opposite Jiang Feng, a faint pink flush on her face, occasionally stealing glances at him, completely lacking the former domineering aura.

Su Ruiqing took a sip of tea, his eyes eagerly fixed on Jiang Feng.

"Divine Doctor Jiang, I think you and our Xue Yan have a good fate; since Xue Yan is also interested in you, why not set the marriage now?"

"Rest assured, Xue Yan is my only granddaughter; everything in the Su Family will belong to her. If you're willing to marry her, I guarantee the Su Family will have a share of yours as well."

Su Ruiqing spoke with composure; after all, with the Su Family's assets and his granddaughter's stunning beauty, he believed no man would refuse.

But unexpectedly, Jiang Feng shook his head.

"Sorry, Su Lao, I can't agree to this marriage for now."

Those words made Su Ruiqing's smile freeze instantly.

Even Su Xueyan jerked her head up; though she forced a smile, a hint of loss lingered in her eyes.

That guy, who earlier on the mountain said he'd take responsibility for himself, now doesn't want to admit defeat?

"Mr. Jiang, do you think Xue Yan isn't worthy of you?"

Su Ruiqing hurriedly pressed, his tone tinged with urgency.

Jiang Feng shook his head, his gaze turning to Su Xueyan.

"Miss Su's cold poison is only temporarily suppressed, not fully eradicated; the subsequent treatment requires my full concentration."

"A momentary distraction could ruin the effort. If I agree to the marriage now, it would likely delay her treatment."

Su Ruiqing was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly understood, his face filled with deep gratitude.

He was so busy courting a divine figure like Jiang Feng that he forgot his granddaughter's illness.

Nevertheless, Jiang Feng's refusal made Su Ruiqing regard him even more favorably.

After all, refusing the Su Family's wealth is a magnanimity not everyone possesses!

Su Xueyan was also deeply moved, a faint curve forming at the corner of her mouth.

Su Ruiqing let out a breath, patting his thigh.

"It was my oversight! Mr. Jiang is right; treating the illness comes first! We'll discuss the marriage later."

He said so, as if he had suddenly thought of something, and asked with a slight probing tone.

"By the way! Mr. Jiang, our Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce possesses a legendary treasure called the Mysterious Warm Jade Essence."

"This jade essence was a gift the Chamber received from the Imperial Family a Hundred years ago; Divine Physician Sun once said it might aid Xue Yan's condition, but unfortunately, over the years no one has been able to harness its effect."

"I wonder if Divine Doctor Jiang knows how to use this Mysterious Warm Jade Essence?"

Here Su Ruiqing still kept a watchful eye.

A senior of the Chamber had left a decree: unless one is a legendary Cultivator, the Mysterious Warm Jade Essence cannot be employed at all.

He just wants to see whether Jiang Feng is indeed a legendary Cultivator!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Feng's fingers gripping the teacup twitched slightly.

The Mysterious Warm Jade Essence is a legendary holy relic.

It can not only help Su Xueyan dispel deep‑seated Cold Poison, but its gentle Spiritual Energy also greatly benefits my own cultivation, which is currently stuck at a bottleneck.

Of course, an item like the Mysterious Warm Jade Essence can only be used by those with extremely advanced cultivation.

"Divine Physician Sun is right, and this jade essence, I can indeed use it."

At that moment, Su Ruiqing's eyes lit up with excitement.

He hadn't expected Jiang Feng to truly be a legendary Cultivator!

Now the Su Family has truly struck treasure!

But immediately his brows furrowed again, as if he was in a dilemma.

"Su Lao, do you have any concerns?"

Su Ruiqing nodded slightly: "Indeed, the jade essence's use requires the simultaneous signatures of the Family Heads of the Four Great Families before it can be taken from the Chamber's secret vault."

If it were the Su Family of a few years ago, he would have confidence to make the other three families yield, but now…

Before he could finish, he suddenly slammed the Table hard, his gaze becoming resolute.

"But this concerns Xue Yan's life; even if I risk my old face, I must contest them at tonight's Chamber of Commerce Banquet!"