Chapter 4 — Reasons to Marry
The hall stayed quiet for a moment after Yuan Feng told the three of them to stay, the silence stretching just long enough to make it clear that this wasn't going to be some simple formality.
Yuan Feng leaned back in his seat, one arm resting casually on the armrest, his gaze sweeping over the three women in front of him, not rushed, not sharp, but the kind of calm attention that still made people feel seen through.
He tapped his fingers lightly against the chair.
"Alright," he said lazily, "since you're the only ones left, let's skip the useless formalities."
The three of them didn't speak.
They were waiting.
Yuan Feng tilted his head slightly.
"I'll be honest with you, I didn't pick you just because of looks, and I definitely didn't gather thousands of people just to play around for fun," he said, his tone casual but his words straightforward, "so let's make this simple."
He looked at them one by one.
"Why are you here?"
The question landed plainly, without pressure, but it still made the air tighten just a little.
None of them were fools.
They all knew what he was really asking.
Not background.
Not status.
But intent.
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
Then—
Zhou Mingyao stepped forward.
Zhou Mingyao
She didn't rush her words, but she also didn't hesitate for long, as if she had already prepared herself for this question before even stepping into the hall.
"This one did not come here for romance, nor for curiosity," she said calmly, her voice steady, "I came… because my dynasty is in danger."
Yuan Feng didn't interrupt.
He just watched.
Zhou Mingyao continued, her tone still composed, but there was something heavier underneath now.
"The Great Zhou Dynasty has recently been targeted by several Tier 8 Spirit-level forces. Their intentions are clear, even if they haven't made a full move yet."
She paused slightly.
"They are testing us, weakening us, waiting for the right moment to strike."
Yuan Feng raised a brow.
"And you think marrying me will stop them?"
Zhou Mingyao met his gaze directly this time.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No embarrassment.
"If I become your consort," she continued, "then Great Zhou becomes tied to Great Qian. Those forces may not fear us, but they will not dare offend you without thinking carefully."
Yuan Feng leaned back a little further, clearly amused.
"So you came here to borrow my name."
"…Yes."
There was no attempt to sugarcoat it.
Yuan Feng chuckled softly.
"At least you're honest. That's rare."
Canglan Saintess
He shifted his gaze to the second woman.
"What about you?"
The Canglan Saintess didn't immediately respond.
She stood there for a moment, her expression calm, almost cold, as if she were deciding how much to say.
Then she spoke.
"The situation is similar."
Yuan Feng gave her a look.
"'Similar' doesn't tell me anything."
She didn't seem offended, just slightly exasperated.
"Our sect… has internal and external pressure at the same time," she said, her tone even, "several forces of equal rank are suppressing us, and internally, there are factions that are beginning to split."
Yuan Feng nodded slowly.
"So you're about to fall apart."
"…If nothing changes, yes."
He tapped the armrest lightly.
"And marrying me fixes that?"
The Saintess didn't answer immediately this time.
But when she did, her voice was quieter.
"It gives us time."
Yuan Feng smiled faintly.
"Time to stabilize."
"Yes."
Yaoyue Pavilion Master
Finally, he looked at the third.
"And you?"
The Yaoyue Pavilion Master smiled slightly, but it wasn't the kind of smile that hid things—it was the kind that admitted them openly.
"My situation isn't much different from theirs," she said, her voice soft but clear, "Yaoyue Pavilion has been expanding too quickly, and that has made others uncomfortable."
Yuan Feng let out a small laugh.
"So you got too successful."
"You could say that."
She continued calmly.
"There are already signs that several forces are preparing to move against us. Alone, we may be able to survive… but not without losses."
"And marrying me?"
She met his gaze directly.
"Ensures no one dares make the first move."
Silence
For a moment, the hall went quiet again.
Three women.
Three different backgrounds.
Three different identities.
Same reason.
Survival.
Yuan Feng let out a slow breath, then suddenly laughed.
"Wow…"
He shook his head slightly.
"So I'm basically a walking shield now, huh?"
None of them denied it.
He didn't seem annoyed though.
If anything—
He looked entertained.
"You know what," he said, sitting up slightly, "I like this better than some fake story about love at first sight."
Zhou Mingyao spoke calmly.
"Your Highness prefers honesty."
"I prefer not wasting time."
He stood up.
Slowly.
"Alright," he said, looking at them again, "your reasons are acceptable."
The three of them didn't relax completely.
But something eased.
Yuan Feng stretched slightly.
"Three days," he said casually, as if deciding something trivial, "the wedding will be held in three days."
That fast.
Even Zhou looked slightly surprised.
"Your Highness, preparations—"
"Handle it."
"…Understood."
Yuan Feng turned and started walking away.
Then paused.
"Oh, and one more thing."
The three of them looked at him.
"I don't care what problems you had before," he said without turning around, his tone still relaxed, "after you marry me…"
He paused slightly.
"…they're my problems."
Simple words.
But heavy.
None of them spoke.
But this time—
The silence felt different.
Three Days Later
The Great Qian Royal Dynasty was lively.
Decorations filled the palace.
Guests from various forces arrived one after another.
The atmosphere was grand, but also tense, because everyone understood what this marriage meant.
Three alliances.
Three connections.
And one Crown Prince at the center.
Wedding Hall
Yuan Feng stood there, dressed properly for once, though his expression still carried that same relaxed look, as if this entire ceremony was just another thing on his schedule.
Zhou Mingyao.
Canglan Saintess.
Yaoyue Pavilion Master.
All three stood beside him.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly.
No interruptions.
No unexpected trouble.
And just as everything reached its peak—
A familiar voice sounded in Yuan Feng's mind.
"Ding! Sign-in successful."
"Host has missed 4 days. Accumulated rewards granted."
Yuan Feng's eyes flickered slightly.
Finally.
"Congratulations, host. You have obtained:"
100 × True Dragon Realm-Breaking Pills
100 × King-level 40-star Artifacts
1000 × King-level 40-star Herbs
1000 × King-level Cultivation Pills
Yuan Feng almost laughed.
Not bad… not bad at all.
He glanced at the three women beside him.
Then slightly smiled.
Looks like this marriage… really was worth it.