Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 608 - 65: Facing Hostility with Defiance

"What a bold Long Jiuzun, daring to spout such insolence, wanting members of the Yue Family to serve as slaves and maids, he’s not afraid of being killed for this," Yue Jinghua’s voice was cold and measured in the Duke Mansion’s flower garden, causing Yue Minzhi to look over involuntarily.

In the Dragon War Empire, a person’s name, given by their parents, should not be changed lightly.

There are two circumstances under which a surname can be changed: when a woman marries, she takes her husband’s surname. If one becomes a slave, they must also change their name, taking the surname of their master.

Long Jiuzun’s proposal for Yue Minzhi to marry into the National Guardian General Residence and change his surname was, for the Duke Mansion, a monstrous and shameful disgrace.

At this moment in the flower garden, shadows skewed as the moonlight shone on Yue Jinghua’s face, revealing an undeniable air of sternness.

The Duke Mansion now had only one male, Yue Minzhi. If he were to covet wealth and truly marry into the General Mansion, it would no doubt spell the end of the Duke Mansion’s lineage.

"Now you should understand why I would propose to break off the engagement. My personal marriage is a minor matter; the glory of the Duke Mansion is of great importance. I want to prove to Long Jiuzun that even without the National Guardian General Residence, I can still become a Dragon Knight," Yue Minzhi, still of an age full of youthful vigor, was greatly provoked by Long Jiuzun’s words.

"Elder brother, I don’t oppose you becoming an outstanding Dragon Knight on your own merit, but you should not, due to Long Jiuzun’s one-sided words, implicate the innocent Long Rui. Father said that a real man should learn to stand tall and proud. I think that a true man should first learn to face his own true heart. Although the many mouths of people may be able to tarnish gold, a man’s standing in the world, for those he loves, should have the courage to face a thousand pointing fingers with a scornful brow," Yue Jinghua spoke word by word.

Her deep and powerful voice was like a sharp blade stabbing into Yue Minzhi’s heart.

His originally indignant emotions, like being doused with a bucket of cold water, were instantly extinguished.

Yue Jinghua patted Yue Minzhi’s shoulder, "No matter what decision you ultimately make, mother and I will stand by your side."

"It’s too late," Yue Minzhi paused, his expression becoming gloomy, "I’ve already made my feelings clear to Long Rui, ’I have no love for her,’ now I’m afraid the National Guardian General Residence is already in a mess."

Yue Jinghua’s eyes narrowed sharply, and after a long while, she sighed softly, "Elder brother, you’re wrong this time."

Yue Minzhi rubbed his forehead reluctantly and forced a smile, "Huahua, elder brother feels that you’ve been different since coming back from the Shang Kingdom. I remember you once said you didn’t like Long Rui, that her nature was too haughty."

Yue Jinghua’s eyelid twitched, and she gave a few forced laughs.

"Elder brother, I was immature and didn’t know any better back then, what I said can’t be taken seriously. Speaking of arrogance, I’d admit to being second to none. Whether I like her or not doesn’t matter, as long as you do, that’s enough."

Yue Minzhi wanted to say more but hesitated, "Huahua actually, elder brother also does not wish to marry. Elder brother has already decided that if I pass the Dragon Pulling Test this time, then I will join the Dragon Rider Team and establish a career for myself in the Empire, to rebuild the Duke Mansion. But if elder brother cannot pass the Dragon Pulling Test, then I will leave the Imperial City and go in search of father’s whereabouts."

"Elder brother, you will definitely pass the Dragon Pulling Test. Besides, Uncle Hong has also been searching for father’s whereabouts over the years, but to no avail. The world is so vast, where will you go to find him?" Yue Jinghua shook her head, disagreeing with Yue Minzhi’s plan.

"We will make plans after this Dragon Pulling Test is over. The night is deep, and you should also head back to your room and rest. These days, the mansion has been relying on you," Yue Minzhi, seeing the night growing later, urged Yue Jinghua to go rest first.

After watching Yue Jinghua leave, Yue Minzhi took out a piece of beast skin paper from his bosom. On the paper, written with Dan Sha, were a few words: "Candle Dragon Heart Scripture."

Caressing the beast skin paper, Yue Minzhi’s gaze became even sharper.

In a grand mansion in the Wo Hua Imperial City, the entire courtyard lay deep in the embrace of the night.

Many servants of the National Guardian General Residence, along with several elders of the Long Family, were all gathered outside a lady’s chamber.

Today at dusk, after Long Ruirui returned from the Dragon Rider Reserve Camp, she locked herself up in her room.

Even her personal maid was chased out, and from behind the tightly closed door, sobs could occasionally be heard.

"The missus says she wants to cancel the marriage engagement and doesn’t want to live anymore," that personal maid had no choice but to reveal the truth behind Long Rui’s seclusion under the scrutiny of people at the General Mansion.

"What? Did Yue Minzhi, that boy, swallow the guts of a leopard with his ambition to dare to suggest breaking off the engagement," the National Guardian General Residence is one that typically has a surplus of males over females.

Among Long Rui’s generation, she is the only girl; all the other branches have produced only boys.

Furthermore, because Long Rui was adorable and sweet-talking since she was a child, she was naturally very much adored by the elders of the other branches. Now, upon hearing that their precious niece had been rejected for marriage, the adults rolled up their sleeves, ready to drag Yue Minzhi out of the Duke Mansion and chop him into pieces.

"Exactly, if it weren’t for Ruru’s fancy for that boy, that decrepit Duke Mansion should have been rejected eight generations ago," the ladies quipped one after another.

Only Long Jiuzun, who stood behind the crowd, remained silent.

He had guessed correctly; after hearing his words, Yue Minzhi indeed couldn’t sit still and proposed to Long Rui to break off the engagement.

Hearing the noisy commotion outside, and the threatening voices of the elders speaking of beating and killing, Long Rui pulled the door open with a "squeak."

The young lady, with her eyes swollen red, shouted at everyone, "No one shall go find Yue Minzhi. Whoever goes to find him, I’ll be furious with them."

After speaking, she slammed the door shut with a "bang."

Everyone was momentarily at a loss for words.

Then the door opened again with a "squeak," and it was Long Rui again.

"Nobody is to tell grandfather about today’s incident, otherwise, I’ll drag that person out and chop them into pieces," after speaking, she stomped her foot and slammed the door shut once again.

"Everyone disperse for now, let’s not go against Ruru’s wishes during this time, so as not to affect her performance in the Dragon Pulling Test. I will write a letter to grandfather later to see how he decides," commanded Long Jiuzun, waving his hand. Despite being one of the younger members in the Long Family, his talent at a young age has earned him considerable authority.

After he spoke, everyone quickly dispersed, leaving the place spotless.

Once everyone had left, the crying from Long Rui’s room gradually subsided, and Long Jiuzun muttered to himself, "If grandfather comes to know that the Duke Mansion dares to break off the marriage, he’d probably rush back immediately and execute Yue Minzhi personally. Poor Ruru, you’re better off not marrying him. If you did, I’m afraid you would end up a young widow."

Having said that, Long Jiuzun blended into the darkness.

Inside the room, Long Rui lay exhausted on the bed and gazed blankly at the pitch-black ceiling.

Recalling the times she had spent with Yue Minzhi recently, a line of tears slid down the corners of Long Rui’s eyes.

She murmured, "Yue Minzhi, if you don’t love me, why did you risk your life to save me that day."