Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 439 Twice Refused Beneath the Dragon Throne

The ritual proceeded smoothly without any hitches.

Priceless artifacts were unveiled.

Honors were proclaimed.

Official decrees from the empire were recited with grave precision.

Following Bai Zihan, it was primarily the turn of Great Ascension Realm experts—seasoned titans whose reputations echoed throughout the realm.

Every one of them got their rightful acclaim before stepping back gracefully to their spots.

Next up were the Void Refinement Realm powerhouses.

Their feats were impressive, and the prizes they earned matched that grandeur. And then—

"Bai Xueqing of the Bai Clan," the announcer declared.

A subtle wave of surprise rippled across the assembly.

Numerous attendees felt taken aback.

Not due to any lack of worth on her part—

But rather, because her name came before a handful of Spirit Severing Realm experts who, by rank, outstripped her in power.

Still, no real protests arose.

For all present understood the reason behind it.

Bai Xueqing advanced with elegant poise, her stride feather-light, her face serene and unflappable.

A chill aura of frost Qi hovered subtly around her, controlled yet impossible to ignore.

The announcer went on to list her achievements.

In the Northern Battlefield conflict, Bai Xueqing didn't merely battle.

Wherever she appeared, she dominated the field.

Her freezing arts had encased whole groups of demonic beasts in ice.

Icy landscapes had blocked foe movements entirely.

A number of Void Refinement Realm fighters could wrap up their fights solely because their enemies were first trapped in her glacial hold.

Even though she was only at the Soul Formation Realm, she had slain multiple Grade-7 and even Grade-8 Demonic Beasts.

Her impact wasn't just tallied by direct kills, but by the lives she preserved—and the fights she turned in their favor.

When it came to overall battlefield worth—

Her value already rivaled that of Void Refinement Realm masters.

Bai Xueqing received her honors with poise and dignity.

Then—

The Emperor hesitated briefly.

A brief lull that the sharp-minded sensed building.

"Bai Xueqing," the Emperor stated, his tone steady and measured, "you remain unmarried at present, correct?"

A quiet murmur swept the chamber.

Déjà vu struck again!

Bai Xueqing's gaze sharpened ever so faintly.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she answered steadily.

"That prior betrothal," the Emperor went on, as casually as chatting about the skies, "has been dissolved."

A few officials traded glances full of insight.

The Emperor's expression warmed a touch.

"You are youthful, gifted, and bear remarkable deeds," he noted.

Then followed the phrase all anticipated.

"Should you wish it," the Emperor uttered deliberately, "you can select any prince who catches your eye and wed into the royal lineage."

Silence blanketed the hall.

Once more!

Glances turned—not to Bai Zihan this time, but to Bai Xueqing.

Yet this occasion held no shock. Who wouldn't covet Bai Xueqing as a bride?

She possessed talent and beauty, and as the cherished offspring of Bai Tianheng, she shone brightly.

Crucially, unlike Bai Zihan, she wasn't impaired.

Thus, wedding her would secure the Bai Clan's backing.

And given the Bai Clan's explosive rise lately, the Imperial Family yearned for that bond.

Onlookers couldn't resist muttering that the Emperor seemed eager to forge a marital link with the Bai Clan.

One denial—now pivoting to another key figure dear to the Bai Clan.

Bai Xueqing showed no delay.

Flattery didn't touch her features.

She saluted with clasped hands, composed as ever.

"This humble one appreciates the gracious offer, Your Majesty," Bai Xueqing stated flatly.

Then—

"Yet I must refuse."

Unlike Bai Zihan's rebuff, shock didn't ripple through the crowd.

Given Bai Xueqing's standing and prowess, no suitor lay beyond her reach. Likely, no man currently matched her true worth.

Thus, even princes paled in comparison to her.

The Emperor arched a brow.

"Oh?" he queried. "And what reason do you have?"

Bai Xueqing's tone stayed icy, bordering on detached.

"Such affairs demand time I lack," she declared straightforwardly.

Her words cut direct and unadorned.

Bai Xueqing upheld courtesy, but she knew the Emperor required plain speech to grasp her stance.

Besides, the notion of picking any prince—what sort of overture was that?

At least with Bai Zihan, they'd masked it as Princess Yu Feiyan's affection for him.

Though she doubted its truth.

Bai Xueqing couldn't imagine any woman genuinely falling for Bai Zihan.

Well—save for one exception.

Bai Zihan proved ruthless and blunt, sparing no one's sentiments.

He scorned all and brimmed with haughty pride.

Bai Xueqing dismissed the idea of a princess enamored with someone like him—especially now, crippled, his prime asset of talent seemingly vanished.

Even more so, how could she fancy Bai Zihan after he savagely thrashed Mo Tianji in the Ancient Ruins?

And afterward, he slew a prodigy and menaced nearly everyone there for Bai Xinyue's sake?

No woman could warm to such conduct. Certainly not the shy Princess Yu Feiyan.

So Bai Xueqing viewed it as a sham—a ploy to claim Bai Zihan, and through him, the Bai Clan.

And now, the ploy targeted her.

This time, without even a fabricated tale.

She felt indifferent to it.

But she saw no need to indulge excessively.

"My cultivation level feels insufficient. The battles against demonic beasts showed me that," she pressed on.

"Wedlock would only divert me now."

She raised her eyes a fraction—not defiantly, but resolute.

"Hence, I won't wed anyone for the time being."

The chamber hung in total quiet.

Bai Xueqing's refusal went beyond the Emperor.

It spurned every clan that kept proposing unions.

The Emperor let out a sigh, followed by a chuckle.

A brief, resigned chuckle.

"Evidently," he murmured, head shaking, "the Bai Clan breeds no common folk."

Yet another rejection.

Another chance for the crown to slip away.

This further shaped the future ties between the Imperial Family and the Bai Clan.

With both Bai Xueqing and Bai Zihan turning down the Emperor's overture, it was clear no pact could form between them.

The Imperial Family would naturally eye the Bai Clan's might with caution.

Lacking an alliance, whatever the Bai Clan pursued, the royals would forever harbor fears.

"So be it," the Emperor concluded. "I won't impose what you reject."

Bai Xueqing offered a single bow.

"Gratitude, Your Majesty!"

She pivoted and headed back to her position, silent thereafter.

As she neared Bai Zihan, their eyes locked for a fleeting instant.

Bai Xueqing's attention drifted to his hand, still clasped with Chu Ziyan's.

Bai Zihan figured releasing it would seem contrived, so he kept up the show of fondness for Chu Ziyan.

Bai Xueqing's eyes tightened.

Next to Bai Zihan, Chu Ziyan grinned foolishly, oblivious to her presence.

Bai Xueqing settled into her seat, irritation bubbling.

She couldn't pinpoint the source of her vexation.

She pushed the thought aside.

A quiet huff slipped out before she reined it in.

"Hmph!"

Bai Zihan caught it too.

He shot a side glance, spotting the end of Bai Xueqing's withdrawing form—and that clear flash of irritation.

He creased his brow faintly. (What's got her riled up this time?)

After pondering, Bai Zihan settled on an explanation that seemed logical.

She must despise betrothals and matrimony deeply.

Likely, the Emperor's remarks stirred memories of her old union with Nie Fengzhuo.

"Tsk, tsk. Seems she'll stay unwed forever," Bai Zihan mused.

The ritual pressed onward.

Names echoed one after another.

Then—

"Chu Ziyan of the Chu Clan," the announcer called.

She moved ahead with steady calm.

Her accomplishments were detailed vividly—her command, her swift assaults, her vital stand in key clashes.

The Emperor heard it all in quiet focus.

He skipped any past quarrels or wedding talk, zeroing in on granting her fitting prize.

Chu Ziyan took it with grace, offering a profound bow.

"This one thanks Your Majesty!" She glided back to Bai Zihan's side smoothly.

The remaining honors unfolded without a ripple.

Finally, with the last name invoked and the ultimate artifact granted, the Emperor stood from his seat.

The hall froze in an instant.

"Warriors of the Northern Battlefield," the Emperor proclaimed, his voice booming,

echoing clearly across the vast space.

"Your honors today stem not just from power—but from bravery,

selflessness, and unyielding will."

His eyes roamed over the assembled experts.

"Thanks to your efforts, our frontiers hold strong. Thanks to you, myriad people rest secure."

He nodded subtly.

"For this, this Emperor extends his heartfelt gratitude."

A hush of reverence ensued.

The Emperor went on, his voice lightening.

"The honoring rite concludes here." A quiet ease washed over the gathering.

"But," he noted with a subtle grin, "a feast awaits."

Gentle whispers stirred.

"Feast on delicacies, drink fine liquors, and revel in melodies," the Emperor invited. "Let all champions here join without restraint."

"This night, forget training and strife. Savor the peace you've guarded."