BTTH: The Legend Of Xiu Emperor

When Gu Yuan heard Emperor Hun Tian Di's words, his heart sank slightly, but his expression remained calm. Although Hun Tian Di implied that Hun Xiu wasn't as good as his daughter, Gu Yuan wasn't a fool. He understood the sarcasm in Hun Tian Di's statement.

What it truly meant was: "My Xiu'er is outstanding, and your daughter isn't worthy of him. However, I do have another son who isn't as exceptional as Xiu'er but is still more than suitable for your daughter. So, what do you think?"

Gu Yuan smiled and replied, "I still believe that Hun Xiu and my daughter are destined to be together."

"Destiny alone isn't enough. There must also be compatibility. I believe my other son, Hun Feng, is both destined and compatible," Hun Tian Di responded with a faint smile.

Gu Yuan maintained his composure outwardly, but inwardly, he cursed Hun Tian Di eight hundred times. Despite his clear intentions, Hun Tian Di still refused to yield. It seemed he would have to use his trump card. Hun Tian Di was forcing his hand.

Gu Yuan said calmly, "Brother Hun, I wonder if the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade of my clan would be enough to seal this destiny? If it isn't, I'll have no choice but to leave. It would simply mean that my daughter and Hun Xiu aren't fated to be together."

"…"

"That's enough. That's more than enough," Hun Tian Di said, his excitement barely concealed.

(TL/N: Boy, you just got sold!)

He had never expected Gu Yuan to be so sincere, even offering the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. This completely exceeded his expectations!

Gu Yuan smiled and asked, "So, Brother Hun, what do you think of this marriage?"

With a serious expression, Hun Tian Di declared, "My son Xiu'er and your daughter Xun'er are a match made in heaven! As fathers, if we don't unite them, we'd be going against the will of the heavens."

He conveniently forgot his earlier objections. The allure of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade was simply too irresistible, enough to make him sell out Xiu'er without hesitation.

[Hun Xiu: "Why did I just sneeze out of nowhere?"]

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Yuan continued with a smile, "If that's the case, shall we finalize the marriage contract?"

Gu Yuan understood the importance of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade to their eight clans, but to him, exchanging it for Hun Xiu was a worthwhile trade. After all, the Gu Clan still had ways to reclaim another piece of the jade from the Xiao Clan, who owed it to them.

"No need to rush," Hun Tian Di said, shaking his head. "Brother Gu, how do you plan to transfer the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade to our Hun Clan?"

Gu Yuan replied, "On the day of Xun'er and Xiu'er's wedding, the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade will accompany Xun'er as part of her dowry."

"Perfect!" Hun Tian Di exclaimed, his mood greatly improved. He had initially feared Gu Yuan was bluffing, but now it seemed he was sincere.

"Indeed," Gu Yuan said with a smile. "Brother Hun, I have one small request. Xun'er and Xiu'er's first child must bear the surname Gu. As you know, I have no sons—only a daughter. The Gu Clan needs an heir, wouldn't you agree?"

"Agreed," Emperor Hun Tian said without hesitation.

[Hun Xiu: "I haven't even grown up yet, and you've already decided my fate. Thanks a lot, Dad!"]

To Hun Tian Di, this was a golden opportunity. Gu Yuan was not only offering him a talented daughter-in-law and the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade but was also ensuring a future legacy for the Hun Clan. It was a deal too good to refuse.

"If that's settled, let's write up the marriage contract!" Gu Yuan suggested.

"Bring ink and paper!" Hun Tian Di called out, feeling particularly cheerful. Gu Yuan's generosity had made his day.

---

Before long, the two men finalized the marriage contract. This arrangement served as a symbolic alliance between the Gu Clan and the Hun Clan, though both sides remained cautious. Beneath the surface politeness, their rivalry remained unchanged.

Exchanging their copies of the contract, they couldn't help but laugh, each feeling they had outsmarted the other.

To Hun Tian Di, this arrangement meant he could secure the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade for his clan within two decades, while also gaining a capable daughter-in-law for his family. Having seen Gu Yuan's wife, who was a striking beauty, he was confident that Xun'er would be just as stunning—a win-win situation for him.

Meanwhile, Gu Yuan felt he had secured an extraordinary son-in-law for the Gu Clan. He believed that as long as Xun'er could charm Hun Xiu, even the most rebellious genius of the Hun Clan would become obedient. All this for the price of one piece of jade—a trade he deemed worthwhile.

Both men walked away feeling they had made an excellent deal.

---

Nightfall.

That evening, Hun Tian Di summoned Hun Xiu to his study room.

"Father," Hun Xiu said, bowing respectfully.

Hun Tian Di nodded and looked at his son with satisfaction. "Xiu'er, do you know why I've called you here?"

"I do not," Hun Xiu replied, shaking his head.

"Do you know who visited us today?"

"I'm afraid I don't," Hun Xiu answered, feigning ignorance.

Though he had a strong hunch that the visitor was Gu Yuan, the patriarch of the Gu Clan, he knew better than to voice his guess. After all, he was only seven years old, and his every move was under Emperor Hun Tian's watchful eye. Claiming to know someone he had never met would only invite suspicion—and possibly punishment.

Hun Tian Di produced the freshly signed marriage contract from his storage ring and placed it on his desk.

"The visitor was Gu Yuan, the patriarch of the Gu Clan," he said. "He's a man as powerful as your father, though, of course, still slightly inferior to me."

"Ah…" Hun Xiu gasped, feigning astonishment. "So that man was the patriarch of the Gu Clan, as strong as my father."

Satisfied with his son's reaction, Hun Tian Di continued, "The reason I've called you here is to share some important news."

He gestured toward the document on the desk. "Read this."

"Marriage… engagement?" Hun Xiu muttered, his heart sinking as he scanned the paper.