I've announced that I'm destined to have many children, and my father has bestowed upon me

Runaway bride!

For her, those two words were like opening the door to a new world, full of excitement and temptation.

But she still hesitated.

"But... is this really a good idea? What will happen to the Xiao family if I run away? How will we explain this to the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

The Xiao family patriarch smiled, stepped forward, and gently patted her head.

"Do whatever you want to do."

"As for the Xiao family, with our patriarch still around, the sky won't fall down."

"Perfect timing. The King of Wei of the Great Zhou is already on his way to pick you up. If you set off now, you can still avoid them."

He patiently guided and persuaded him.

"So, it's because you yourself didn't want to marry, not because I, your ancestor, sold you off for the sake of the family's interests, right?"

Xiao Chuchu's mind raced.

Yup!

What our great-grandfather said makes so much sense!

If I run away, then it has nothing to do with the family!

This would both preserve the family's reputation and grant him freedom!

That's the best of both worlds!

"Grandpa, you're the best!"

Xiao Chuchu's mood instantly brightened, and she jumped up happily.

A glint of unfathomable brilliance flashed in the murky eyes of the Xiao family patriarch.

"Go, pack your things, and leave tonight. Don't let anyone find out."

"Um!"

Xiao Chuchu nodded heavily, then turned into a streak of light and flew towards her cave.

Watching her disappearing figure, the smile on the face of the Xiao family patriarch slowly vanished, replaced by a deep, unsettling expression.

He looked up toward the direction of the Great Zhou imperial city and muttered to himself.

"Girl, don't blame Grandpa for messing with you."

"The Great Zhou Dynasty might truly be the hope for the Xiao family's resurgence!"

……

Inside Xiao Chuchu's cave.

She was excitedly stuffing things into a spatial ring.

"This spiritual fruit is delicious, take it with you!"

"This robe is beautiful, take it with you!"

"And this newly forged flying sword, perfect for testing its speed!"

As she packed, she fantasized about how she would escape her arranged marriage and then roam the world with a sword, righting wrongs and fighting for justice.

"Hmph, a mere prince of a dynasty dares to dream of marrying me, Xiao Chuchu?"

The girl picked up a sparkling jade pendant and waved it in front of her eyes.

"Dream on! I'll travel all over this beautiful land first, and we'll talk about it when I'm tired of it!"

She gave a soft hum, transformed into a streak of azure light, and silently left the Xiao family's ancestral land, disappearing into the vast night.

……

Meanwhile, outside the Xiao family's mountain gate.

A magnificent procession of carriages slowly came to a stop, led by a huge chariot drawn by four exceptionally handsome dragon-scaled horses.

Inside the carriage, a young man with an effeminate face lifted the curtain and looked at the ancient mountain gate shrouded in spiritual energy ahead.

He was Zhao Chenyu, the third prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, who came to propose marriage on the orders of Crown Prince Lu Yuchun.

"A mere ancient family with a history of ten thousand years, yet they put on quite a show."

Zhao Chenyu pursed his lips, straightened his robes, and then slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Behind him, an elderly man who appeared to be in charge had already stepped forward and loudly announced:

"His Highness the Crown Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, Prince Zhao Chenyu of the Third Prince, has come to pay respects to the Xiao Family Patriarch!"

The sound rolled on and echoed through the valley.

Zhao Chenyu showed absolutely no shame for being a prince working for the crown prince of an enemy country.

On the contrary, they seemed quite proud, showing off their status.

Soon, the gates of the Xiao family opened wide, and an old man with white hair and beard strode out. He was none other than the patriarch of the Xiao family.

"I was unaware of your arrival and apologize for not welcoming you properly."

The Xiao family patriarch cupped his hands in greeting, a warm smile on his face.

Zhao Chenyu simply nodded indifferently, with a hint of arrogance.

"You're too kind, Ancestor. I've come here on behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince of Great Xia to propose marriage to the noblewoman Xiao Chuchu."

He got straight to the point and stated his purpose directly.

Upon hearing this, the Xiao family patriarch revealed a perfectly timed look of delight.

"Oh? His Highness the Crown Prince values ​​the Xiao family so highly; it is truly an honor for our Xiao family!"

"To be able to form a marriage alliance with the Great Xia Dynasty is something I would naturally be more than happy to do!"

Zhao Chenyu was very satisfied with this answer.

It seems the Xiao family is quite sensible.

He was about to continue speaking when he was interrupted by the next words of the Xiao family patriarch.

"only……"

The old ancestor changed the subject, sighing apologetically:

"However, I'm afraid this matter will disappoint His Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhao Chenyu's brows furrowed instantly.

"What do you mean?"

"Ugh!"

The patriarch of the Xiao family sighed heavily, looking heartbroken.

"To be honest, not long ago, the Great Zhou Dynasty also sent people to bestow a marriage upon their sixteenth prince, Zhao Chen'an, to marry our Chu Chu."

"That girl, Chu Chu, has a strong personality and didn't want to be used as a tool for an arranged marriage. In a fit of anger..."

The old ancestor paused here, then beat his chest and stamped his feet in frustration.

"She...she ran away from her wedding!"

Zhao Chenyu was completely stunned.

Did she run away from her wedding?

What kind of operation is this?

You, a powerful cultivator at the Dragon Transformation Realm, can't even keep an eye on your own granddaughter?

"Your Excellency, are you making fun of me?"

Zhao Chenyu's tone instantly turned cold.

"How dare I! How dare I!"

The Xiao family patriarch waved his hands repeatedly, his face showing sincerity and helplessness.

"Everything I said is true! That little brat is spoiled rotten; she's completely out of control!" "I've already sent people everywhere to search for her. Once there's any news, I'll bring her back immediately and give His Highness the Crown Prince an explanation!"

He patted his chest and assured them.

"I humbly request that Your Highness the Third Prince stay in the clan for a few days so that this old man can deal with this family scandal."

Zhao Chenyu stared at the Xiao family patriarch's face, which showed no flaws whatsoever, his heart burning with anger, yet he could not vent it.

They've already put it this way and adopted a very humble attitude. If I were to be aggressive, it would only make me seem petty.

"Okay! I'll wait a few days!"

Zhao Chenyu squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, then turned and walked into the Xiao family's mountain gate.

He wanted to see what tricks the Xiao family could pull!

……

Several days later, in the northern border of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Zhao Chen'an's convoy slowly drove into Zhenbei City, the largest military city on the border.

The city gates were wide open, and a burly general clad in heavy armor was already waiting there with a squad of personal guards.

"This humble general, Wang Hu, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Wei!"

The general knelt on one knee, his voice booming like a bell.

Wang Hu was a trusted and beloved general whom Li Qingcang had personally promoted. He had been stationed in the northern border for many years and was the key to the northern gate of the Great Zhou.

"General Wang, please rise."

Zhao Chen'an dismounted and personally helped him up.

Li Qingluan also came over and nodded to Wang Hu:

"General Wang, you've worked hard."

"Guarding the gates of the Great Zhou is no hardship!"

Wang Hu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, then looked at Zhao Chen'an with a hint of scrutiny and curiosity in his eyes.

"Your Highness, a banquet has been prepared in the camp to welcome you and the Princess!"

Most of these border soldiers were Li Qingcang's old subordinates, so they were naturally very close to Li Qingluan.

The atmosphere in the military camp was lively.

The soldiers took turns toasting Zhao Chen'an and Li Qingluan, their words filled with pride and sincerity.

"Your Highness, this time you're going to the Great Xia Dynasty's territory to snatch a bride; you must bring honor to our Great Zhou!"

"That's right! That young lady from the Xiao family should be our Great Zhou's queen!"

Zhao Chen'an responded with a smile, accepting all requests.

He could feel the simplicity and enthusiasm of these men on the battlefield, which warmed his heart.

After a hearty meal, the convoy rested overnight at the military camp.

The next morning, Zhao Chen'an and his party bid farewell to Wang Hu and continued their journey into the territory of the Great Xia Dynasty.

The convoy had just driven a hundred miles from Zhenbei City and officially entered the buffer zone between the two countries.

This is a desolate Gobi Desert, rarely visited by humans.

Just then, a chilling killing intent descended from the sky without warning!

"Enemy attack! Protect the Prince!"

The leader of the guard shouted loudly, and six hundred elite soldiers instantly formed a battle formation, surrounding Zhao Chen'an's carriage.

A figure appeared like a ghost in front of the convoy.

The man was shrouded in a black robe, revealing only a pair of cold eyes, and exuded the terrifying pressure of a fourth-level expert.

Behind him followed several masked men at the Dao Palace Realm, each exuding murderous intent.

"Who goes there!"

Li Qingluan, holding a long spear, stood in front of the carriage and coldly questioned.

The man in black robes did not answer, but simply raised his hand and pointed to Zhao Chen'an's carriage.

"Kill them, leave no survivors."

The cold voice fell, and he moved first.

With a single step, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged, and a giant hand formed from gathered spiritual power slammed down on the carriage!

……

The Xiao family home, in an elegant courtyard.

Zhao Chenyu paced back and forth anxiously, his handsome face bearing a sickly excitement and a cruel sneer.

He calculated the time; that good-for-nothing Zhao Chen'an should be almost at the border by now.

As soon as he leaves the borders of the Great Zhou Kingdom, the people he arranged will take action.

Zhao Chenyu stopped and looked in the direction of the Great Zhou Imperial City, a cold smile spreading across his face.

Sixteenth brother, don't blame your second brother for being ruthless.

If you have someone to blame, blame yourself for blocking my way!

All he has to do now is stay here and quietly wait for news of Zhao Chen'an's death.