[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rise-of-the-warlord":3,"chapter-rise-of-the-warlord-rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-196":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rise of the Warlord",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1895677,2527,"Chapter 196: Engagement Day","rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-196",196,"\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Hong protecting me so much, Ding Qing had no choice but to grit his teeth and say to Ding Yang: \"Young Master Ding, this matter probably can't be done. If we fight, it might be hard to clean up later, and even if we fight, we don't necessarily have the winning odds!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yang had specifically brought family members in public to get back at me, but now he couldn't deal with Zheng Yun. This made Ding Yang very unwilling. He felt this guy was his nemesis; no matter what he did, he never succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ding Yang’s frustrated look, I mocked him: \"Ding Yang, I see you only have that much ability with your mouth. I guess you aren't very important in the Ding family, right? I guess the family didn't even send any experts to help you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yang was furious and pointed at me, shouting: \"You kid, don't be smug. I definitely won't let you off!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, Ding Yang took his family members and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for me, I looked at Zheng Hong and the Zheng family members in front of me. Just as I was about to speak, they all left, not giving me a chance to ask anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there in a daze, not expecting the Zheng family to send people to protect me, and it seemed the person sent was a very powerful expert. It could be seen that the Old Matriarch of the Zheng family really cared about me. In the eyes of the Zheng family, I seemed to be very important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time for the Zheng family, or rather my engagement, had arrived. Xiao Huan was naturally overjoyed and excited. It could be seen that she really liked me. Although I felt sorry for her, there was nothing I could do. Presumably, she would understand in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, the Zheng family began to decorate and invite guests. Seeing them go to such great lengths for this, I felt very guilty. After all, it might be a waste of effort. I had been trying to contact Zhuge Yue these past few days, but this guy seemed to have disappeared; there was no news at all. I even suspected that this guy had run away and left my matter behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In order to resolve this matter as soon as possible, I had looked for the Old Matriarch of the Zheng family many times these past few days, but the Old Matriarch ignored me. She wouldn't change things she had decided on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked helpless and planned to struggle one last time. I came to the Old Matriarch’s place and saw her listening to Peking opera drums, which was one of her rare interests. Seeing me arrive, the Old Matriarch said unhappily: \"If you’re here to talk about canceling the engagement again, you’d better go back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Matriarch, don't be like that. I really don't want to get engaged now, and Xiao Huan is so young. Can you really bear to ruin her in my hands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what I’m doing. As for whether it’s ruining her or not, that’s all up to you, and I believe in my own judgment!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Matriarch, I really!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough, don't say any more. I’ve already invited people. Do you want me to lose face in front of so many people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Old Matriarch, if people really come later, it might be even harder to clean up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How dare you! What do you think my Zheng family is? You think you can come and go as you please? Do you still have me, the Old Matriarch, in your eyes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't, I didn't mean that, Old Matriarch, don't be angry!\" Seeing the Old Matriarch’s whole body trembling with anger, I hurriedly tried to dissuade her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her state, it felt like she was about to collapse at any moment, which scared me into telling her to stop talking, and I retreated, fearing the Old Matriarch would continue to be angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet was slowly beginning, and many people had come to the Zheng family. Many families had also come to congratulate them. After all, the Zheng family was also a very large family here. Basically, famous families with cooperative relationships would come. Even the Ding family came, though whether they came with good intentions or otherwise, who knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the time getting closer, I was anxious and kept taking out my phone to call Zhuge Yue, but I couldn't contact this guy at all. She even told me not to worry. I’m worried to death, okay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurriedly went to find Xiao Huan. Xiao Huan was also overjoyed to see me and said excitedly: \"Brother Yang Yun, we’re getting engaged soon! I didn't expect we would really have this day!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xiao Huan so happy and excited, honestly, I couldn't bear to refuse her, but I really had no choice. Su Xueya was still waiting for me; how could I agree to marry Xiao Huan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Huan saw my expression and asked in confusion: \"Brother Yang Yun, what’s wrong? Are you a bit unhappy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiao Huan, listen to me, it’s not that I don't like you, but we two really can't!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could finish, Xiao Huan interrupted me: \"Alright, Brother Yang Yun, don't say any more!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xiao Huan said these words, her whole body was trembling, and then she slowly began to sob. Seeing this, I panicked and hurriedly comforted her: \"Xiao Huan, don't cry, I really didn't mean that, but we two!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Xiao Huan crying harder and harder, I sighed helplessly and didn't have the heart to continue. After coaxing her for a long time, she finally stopped crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't get through to Xiao Huan, and I couldn't get through to the Old Matriarch. Now I could only place my hope on Zhuge Yue, and I could only pray that Zhuge Yue would keep her word and help me solve this trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also saw many acquaintances at the venue, basically classmates from school. These classmates had extraordinary family backgrounds. Similarly, I also saw Ding Yang. The Ding family had also come, but it looked like they were mostly here to cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing beside Ding Yang was an imposing middle-aged man, and the other was likely a bodyguard. That middle-aged man looked a bit like Ding Yang; it seemed to be Ding Yang’s father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Yang saw me and said with disdain: \"You actually dare to show up. Zheng Yun, I’m telling you, you’re dead for sure!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding Ding Yang, honestly, if it weren't for the Ding family, I wouldn't take him seriously at all. I didn't pay any attention to his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the middle-aged man beside Ding Yang looked at me with sharp eyes and said: \"You are Zheng Yun?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't speak, just nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing my reaction, the middle-aged man in front of me warned: \"At such a young age, you have no respect for your elders. Be careful not to live long!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not very good for the head of the Ding family to be here intimidating a junior of my Zheng family, is it?\" I don't know when, but the Old Matriarch had also come over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Old Matriarch, I respectfully bowed to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Ding Yang, seeing the Old Matriarch, he was so scared he didn't dare to speak. Ding Yang’s father saw the Old Matriarch and chuckled: \"Oh, is the Old Matriarch of the Zheng family really planning to fight to the death with our Ding family for this guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Matriarch scoffed and shouted angrily: \"Zheng Yun is a member of my Zheng family. If you dare to touch him, even if we can't beat your Ding family, we will make your Ding family lose some teeth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Old Matriarch’s domineering attitude of not giving up, Ding Yang’s father’s face turned ugly, but in the end, he could only smile awkwardly and say: \"Old Matriarch, you’re joking. I was just joking with you. Kids playing house, how can it affect our families!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing these two confronting each other, I didn't dare to interrupt, and indeed I couldn't interrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time was almost up, and the Old Matriarch smiled and walked slowly toward the stage. Everyone was also looking at the Old Matriarch on the stage, ready to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just at this moment, someone suddenly shouted at the main entrance: \"The Zhuge family is here to offer congratulations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the four words \"Zhuge family,\" everyone around was stunned and began to discuss it. Everyone was guessing if it was the legendary family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Zhuge family? Holy crap, it wouldn't be that legendary Zhuge family, would it? I didn't expect the Zheng family to actually know the Zhuge family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Ding family members were incredulous. You have to know that the Zhuge family was a big family in the capital, much more powerful than families like theirs. Even the Ding family didn't dare to challenge the Zhuge family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the most terrifying thing about the Zhuge family wasn't their family power, but the legendary divination power of asking heaven and observing stars. Many families tried every possible way to get on good terms with the Zhuge family, but the Zhuge family had always been indifferent and not swayed by any other factors, which led to many people wanting to make friends with the Zhuge family but unable to do so. ===== CHAPTER 197 =====\u003C\u002Fp>",1581,"2026-06-11T15:09:04.179Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","40a8cb54eecec552cfabcae148e2d99ce9bc20c33f1814a993f5bc68773b61ec","rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-197","rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-195",227,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frise-of-the-warlord-cover.jpg"]