Chapter 0672: A Different Choice

When the night scattered and the rising sun bathed Xia City in morning light, the most prosperous city of the Xia Kingdom began to bustle with excitement.

The difference was that even though everything seemed the same on the surface, the events of last night had changed everything forever.

House Luolan's headquarters' gate was thrown open.

A single carriage rolled out with Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo within. They leisurely made their way down the street before countless individuals.

Everyone could see that the guards of House Luolan were a little different from the day before. They seemed to possess a certain strength of spirit now. This led to countless sighs from the people around. Yesterday's House Luolan might have seemed stable, but no one knew if they would continue to exist when the sun arose. On the other hand, even the rank and file were exuding confidence, not a single worry in sight.

Thus, the battle had truly caused a qualitative change amongst them.

It was clear that House Luolan had not been devastated. Internally, the two future heirs' presence would stabilize internal affairs. Meanwhile, Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan's descent had confirmed their continued survival, and no one knew just when they would return. Thus, one would not simply strike at them. 

The current House Luolan was brimming with hope.

"Who could have expected that House Duze's House Lord would actually choose to help House Luolan out?" Within the carriage, Li Luo, who had digested all of the news from the night before, sighed. Duze Yan's assistance was unexpected as House Luolan had a terribly adverse relationship with House Duze, constantly struggling openly. The two sides were full of enmity, and thus Li Luo had always prepared for Duze Yan's inevitable interference during the Housemeet.

In the end, Duze Yan had not chosen to stone them while they were down, instead even rendering aid and restraining Si Qing.

Jiang Qing'e slightly nodded. Duze Yan was an anomaly that no one had expected. Even though his assistance would not have changed the end result, they definitely owed him a favor.

"I have already dispatched people to prepare a gift for House Duze. Although it's not huge, it will represent our intentions," she explained.

Li Luo nodded as he fell into thought. "Moving forward, we will choose to break off our relationship with House Jinque. Since Si Qing has made his decision, then there is no need for us to continue with these idle pretenses." 

"You are the House Lord. Whatever you say, goes." Jiang Qing'e smiled. House Luolan had once needed House Jinque as an ally as their internal situation was unstable. Now that things were resolved, that relationship was dispensable. 

There was no need for a false friendship that had crumbled in the face of personal interests.

Li Luo nodded as he glanced out of the carriage window. He was currently making his way towards the Golden Dragon Bank. No one from the bank had interfered with yesterday's situation, which naturally meant that Yu Hongxi had done something. Thus, he had to express his gratitude.

While Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e were on their way, their present had already been delivered to House Duze.

"Father! What were you thinking? How could you assist House Luolan? If you and House Jinque's House Lord joined forces, House Luolan would have been completely destroyed." Within House Duze's main hall, a certain Duze Beixuan was looking at his emotionless father, unable to fathom his intentions and expressing his thoughts angrily. He had already received this piece of news half a night ago, but his head was full of questions.

House Luolan and House Duze were as incompatible as fire and water, constantly warring with each other. In fact, the Housemeet seemed to be the best opportunity to rid them of this nemesis. Instead, his father not only hadn't taken them down, but had assisted them in their time of need?

It was important to note that Duze Beixuan had even thought of the perfect insults and moves to mock Li Luo when they next met!

In the end?

Psh! He received a thank you note from Li Luo which read as follows... 

What's up! We really have to thank your dad! Guess we're going to be best friends after this! See you soon!

How the heck was he supposed to reply to this? "You can shut up. If House Duze were to be left in the hands of someone with as little brain power as you, it would probably collapse in less than a year." Duze Honglian icily glared at her silly brother.

Duze Beixuan had a belly full of fire and a furious expression on his face.

"Even the Regent descended in person at the end of House Luolan's Housemeet, and he was sent scurrying away. It is clear that Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan's projections have instilled fear within him. If Father had chosen to act against House Luolan and managed to destroy them, what would happen after the two Dukes returned? House Duze would meet a sorry end! Most importantly, even if he chose to act, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e would likely be able to escape as they are not tied down by the house. They would return to the Astral Sage College and seek protection. With their talent, they will be the second coming of Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan in a few years’ time!" Duze Honglian calmly explained.

"Thus, Father's decision was the best one! At the very least, we will not have to be worried about Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan's return. On the contrary, House Lord Si Qing will no longer have a night of restful sleep."

Duze Yan nodded lightly, looking appreciatively towards Duze Honglian. "Honglian, you have a far-sighted view of things, simply incomparable to your brother's."

Duze Beixuan felt a little indignant, but when faced with his elder sister, who had always oppressed him since young... he did not dare to resist, merely acknowledging her words.

At this point, a female servant announced that House Luolan had sent gifts.

"House Luolan's two brats know how to do things," Duze Yan indifferently commented.

After which, he waved his hand. "Receive the gifts but also leave them this message. House Duze and House Luolan will not become allies because of this. The battle between us will continue and we will not offer any mercy."

Duze Honglian felt slightly helpless upon listening to her father's decree. Although he had chosen to help House Luolan, he was unwilling to lose the last scrap of face he had... or perhaps he was simply unwilling to bow his head towards Li Taixuan.

Regardless, even if the battle continued, Duze Yan's actions the night before had fundamentally changed their relationship.

...

"Father, why did you choose to do that? Is House Jinque not a good friend of House Luolan?"   Si Tianming and Si Qiuying asked with looks of surprise, fear clearly taking hold of them. 

"How could there be any friendship between the Great Houses? We might have had a good relationship with House Luolan, but they were simply using us to draw fire, to split House Jiyan and House Duze's pressure," Si Qing diffidently replied. 

Si Tianming, on the other hand, was so anxious that he was sweating buckets. "Even standing by idly would have been better than striking them whilst they were down! Now that things have come to this, no one will respect House Jinque again! We've also completely offended House Luolan! We've basically ruined ourselves and antagonized everyone!"   

Si Qing's expression turned steely green as he slammed the desk furiously. "What did you say?!" 

Si Qiuying clenched her teeth as she supported her brother. "What Brother says is right. Father, your choice was completely wrong!" 

"We've prepared gifts to be sent to House Luolan as a form of apology. Hopefully, we can mend the relationship," Si Tianming explained.

"You ingrate!" Si Qing furiously scolded. "Do you want your father to be the butt of all the jokes in the Xia Kingdom? Although Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan are still alive, this does not mean that they will successfully escape from the Nobles' Battlefield. If there is no further news in a few years, do you really think the Regent will let House Luolan go? Their arrogance is only temporary. Now that Duze Yan has assisted them, he has also attracted the ire of the Regent. If there is an opportunity, he will not let them go either! You want to teach your father a lesson with such bad foresight?"   

Si Tianming and Si Qiuying stamped their feet in frustration. They simply could not understand how their usually wise father could have been so stupid.

"Scram!" Si Qing, on the other hand could, not be bothered to argue further, furiously sending them on their way as he flicked his sleeves in frustration.

The siblings then left with depressed looks on their faces.

With his children leaving the room, Si Qing's expression turned gloomy and he furiously slammed a palm against the table before him. The azurestone table was unable to resist his power, fragmenting into dust.

He was melancholic. 

"Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan, I don't believe that you will be able to escape the Nobles' Battlefield alive!"