Chapter 1139 The Humble Prince

At that moment, the royal members and ministers exchanged looks as they found that it was reasonable for the two to get married soon. After all, the emperor didn't cancel the engagement even though the public had thought that he had been dead before.

"I, Prince Basil, hereby declare that my engagement with Miss Shirley is invalid, effective immediately." However, Rocky shocked the crowd as he deviated from people's expectations.

Everyone's minds were rattled as they heard this. In fact, they found that Rocky was being so bold to declare that especially when Bryant, the chief of the Ximen Clan and Shirley's grandfather, was around.

"But, Your Royal Highness, is that the emperor's decision?" Bryant asked in a low voice as his face was covered in shame.

"You heard me right, Chief Bryant. Miss Shirley and I are no longer engaged," Rocky said with firm resolution as he looked into Bryant's eyes seriously.

Bryant trembled and became very furious when he heard Rocky's words, but as a man of honor, he composed himself immediately. Instead of lashing out, he shot a confused glance at Rocky. This was not what the emperor and he decided upon. He felt humiliated because Rocky announced it to everyone without even discussing with him, or at least informing him in advance. He found it rude, and he even suspected that Rocky deliberately made the Ximen Clan unable to back down with good grace because of pressure.

Meanwhile, Marcia also sighed inwardly. Although she had expected that Rocky would turn down the emperor's proposal, she still believed that it was better for him to inform Bryant beforehand to avoid hurting his face. But now, it was too late for her to convince Rocky to do that.

However, Rocky thought about this carefully and considered what he thought was just and fair. He had thought of discussing with Bryant, but he knew that there was a huge possibility that Bryant might refuse. Thus, in order to force Bryant to agree, he decided to announce it to the public first and then apologize to Bryant after. In his mind, making a hasty decision was the best way to resolve such a situation involving marital engagements.

At the same time, everyone present saw the visible displeasure written all over Bryant's face. In fact, they all felt that Rocky's announcement was a one-sided cancellation. If that were true, then things would certainly become a little awkward. This might lead to a conflict between the Ximen Clan and the royal family, affecting the current situation in the empire.

At once, Rocky turned to Bryant with a sincere expression and said, "Chief Bryant, I believe you know why I made this decision better than anyone else."

Bryant furrowed his brows slightly. Deep in

re streams of businessmen busily made their transactions with cargoes behind them.

At that moment, Rocky strolled all the way to the Lan Clan's mansion. As the richest clan in this empire, the Lan Clan's resident was not as luxurious as Rocky had thought. Instead, it had such a unique design, more like some antique architecture. But of course, people should never underestimate something based on its sole appearance. Wall paints peeling and rust on door handles were only part of the proof of how rich this clan's culture and history were.

Soon after, Rocky knocked on the door and told the gatekeeper his purpose. After waiting shortly, he was taken into the mansion by a butler. As he was walking along the corridor, he found that the place was tastefully and classically arranged, from the pavilions to terraces and open halls, up to the main buildings. However, although it looked better inside than from the outside, it didn't show any lavishness too.

"Perhaps there is a reason why the Lan Clan became the richest clan after all," Rocky murmured to himself thoughtfully.

Not long after, he was led into a living room, where almost a dozen people sat and waited. There were men and women, each adorned with brilliant jewels and pearls around their necks, with spirit manipulators of the Earthly Stage standing close behind them. Apparently, all of them were wealthy businessmen.

However, as soon as Rocky stepped inside, all eyes immediately fell upon him. With judging eyes, the people hurriedly turned their heads away from him after seeing how terrible and ragged his clothes were. Rocky was by no means a rich man in their eyes and was not even comparable to the status of the spirit manipulators behind them. At that moment, he even felt that they took him no better than a beggar on the street.