Chapter 1697 — It Was Only a Joke

"Her constitution is extremely special. The Ice Palace Master took a liking to her and accepted her as a fellow junior disciple on her master's behalf. In the future, she will become the next master of the Ice Palace!" Wei Zhao said.

"What!" Sun Jingyan was startled. She had heard vague rumors of the Ice Palace, and vaguely knew something about its trials as well. But such matters were far too distant from the world of the great families. And the more distant they were, the more shocked she felt. Feng Xiaoxiao was actually going to become the head of an ancient sect in the future?

Compared with that, her status as the eldest young lady of the Sun family really was a joke.

"Besides, Xiaoxiao has no intention of becoming the primary wife. She is still perfectly content to remain the secondary wife," Wei Zhao said.

"I... I was only joking..." Sun Jingyan suddenly felt a little crestfallen, and an awkward smile appeared on her face. What Wei Zhao had told her was simply too shocking. Feng Xiaoxiao was actually going to become the future master of the Ice Palace?

"This matter must remain confidential. Do not tell anyone." Wei Zhao was also testing Sun Jingyan's character. He had told her something that seemed unimportant for the time being. Feng Xiaoxiao's identity had no effect whatsoever on his current plans; even if the news spread, it would only make the Hidden Yu family more wary of him.

Still, Wei Zhao preferred not to borrow the tiger's authority to make himself look powerful if he could avoid it. His own strength was what mattered most. Using the Ice Palace as a shield might save his life once or twice, but if he did it too often, it would lose its effectiveness.

Feng Xiaoxiao was the future master of the Ice Palace, but that was all she was: the future master. She was not one yet. At present, Feng Xiaoxiao was merely an early Huang-rank expert. The future was full of variables, and no one knew what it would ultimately bring.

Besides, Wei Zhao was not the sort of man who liked relying on others, especially not on a Heaven-rank beauty. If he kept flaunting her name outside and using it to deceive people, that Ice Candy girl would certainly make fun of him.

"Don't worry. I understand. I won't say anything carelessly." Sun Jingyan nodded solemnly, then said, "But if this gets out, wouldn't it add to your prestige?"

"I don't want to rely on a woman." Wei Zhao offered no further explanation. In truth, he had no objection to relying on Feng Xiaoxiao, because she was his woman. But the Ice Candy girl was different. He did not want to depend on her.

"So... does that mean you've agreed?" Sun Jingyan asked. "Grandfather said I was to take you to the gathering of the great families..."

"I was just about to bring that up. I was going to say we should discuss it after the gathering of the great families. But since you're going too, that works out perfectly. You may even see me there." Wei Zhao paused. "I'll be attending the gathering with someone else as well."

"Someone else? Wu Chengtian?" Sun Jingyan asked.

"Mm." Wei Zhao nodded.

"That works, then. We'll meet at the gathering of the great families." Sun Jingyan let out a breath, as if she had finally settled something weighing on her heart. Then she said, "But you don't need to worry too much. As long as Grandfather's illness is cured, I can finally set my mind at ease. When I leave the Sun family, I won't be under quite so much pressure..."

"Oh? You intend to leave the Sun family?" Seeing the disappointment in Sun Jingyan's expression, Wei Zhao could not help asking. He was not a man who liked meddling in other people's business, but he did enjoy meddling in the affairs of friends close to him.

"Mm... If Grandfather hadn't said that his health had taken a turn for the worse and that he might not have much longer to live, I probably wouldn't have agreed to this..." Sun Jingyan said sadly. "Sigh, I haven't been back to the Sun family in nearly two years..."

"Who will lead the Sun family in the future? Your younger brother, Sun Yikai, or your uncle's son?" Wei Zhao suddenly asked.

"Hm?" Sun Jingyan was slightly taken aback, unsure why Wei Zhao was asking such a question. Even so, she answered, "That hasn't been decided. Grandfather still hasn't shown whether he intends to have my elder uncle or my younger uncle take over the Sun family..."

"I see." Wei Zhao spoke calmly. "If Sun Yikai took over the Sun family, would that make you happier? Would it ease some of the pressure on you?"

"Mm... We've always had a good relationship since we were children," Sun Jingyan said. "But I still want to leave the Sun family. Once this matter is over, I want to go back to my old home and see the place where my parents used to live. It has probably fallen into complete ruin by now, but I still want to see it..."

"I understand. I have a good impression of Sun Yikai too." Wei Zhao nodded, already making his calculations. If the old master of the Sun family had the sense to let Sun Yikai inherit the family, then at the gathering of the great families, Wei Zhao would ensure that the Sun family kept its position. As for the other great families that were not on friendly terms with him, he would simply drive them out.

"Will you have time then? Could you come with me?" Sun Jingyan did not even know why she suddenly blurted out the question. She had no ulterior motive. She was simply lonely, and traveling far from home was easier when one had company. Besides, she had almost no true friends apart from Wei Zhao.

"We'll see when the time comes." Wei Zhao saw the loneliness in her eyes and did not refuse her outright.

"Good. Then that counts as you agreeing. You aren't allowed to back out later!" A sly glint flashed through Sun Jingyan's eyes.

"When did I agree to that?" Wei Zhao stared at her in surprise.

"So you didn't agree?" Sun Jingyan countered.

Wei Zhao was both amused and exasperated. "I'm worried I may not have time then. How about this? If I have time, I'll go with you."

"Time is like **. Squeeze a little, and there's always some," Sun Jingyan said.

"Then squeeze some out and let me see." Wei Zhao's eyes drifted involuntarily toward the opening of Sun Jingyan's collar.

"I don't need to squeeze anything out. But if you want to see... not yet. Once you've been promoted to official lover, I'll let you look," Sun Jingyan said.

"Then forget it. I have a big-busted Shu at home. I can look whenever I want," Wei Zhao said.

"You lecher!" Sun Jingyan scolded coyly.

"Me? A lecher?" Wei Zhao pointed at his own nose, both amused and speechless. This was the first time anyone had called him a lecher. He did not think he was all that lecherous...

Once everything had been settled, Wei Zhao returned to the Gu family villa after lunch. While Chen Yutian, Qiu Lingshan, and Wu Chengtian made their preparations, he began studying the martial technique Uncle Qing had given him.

At the same time, the heads of the various great families led their younger members to the Yanjing residence of the Yu family, preparing to attend the gathering of the great families hosted by the Yu family.

Naturally, the most active of them all was the Kang family!

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