Chapter 348: An Unwilling Shield, a Deal in Progress

This Xiao Wenqi was naturally no ordinary person. From his name alone, one could infer that he belonged to the same generation as Xiao Wenli-namely, an Imperial Grandson.

Xiao Wenqi’s father still lived in the Imperial Capital and had not been demoted to a prince, so Wenqi was an Imperial Grandson rather than an Heir Apparent. That put him a little above an Heir Apparent in status.

Only after an Imperial Prince became a prince would his child be an Heir Apparent. An Imperial Grandson’s authority came from his father’s status as an Imperial Prince, just as an Heir Apparent’s came from his father’s status as a prince.

The authority of both Imperial Princes and princes ultimately stemmed from the Celestial Emperor, differing only in rank.

Xiao Wenli was Xiao Wenqi’s senior cousin: Xiao Yuande was the sixth imperial son, while Xiao Wenqi’s father, Xiao Yuanzong, was the eleventh.

“Ruyue, it doesn’t matter whether you or I are interested. Our elders decide whom we marry.”

Xiao Wenqi said with total indifference.

He had pursued Shen Ruyue before and was no stranger to being turned away at the door; he had long since grown accustomed to it.

Furthermore, his father needed to rely on the Shen family’s influence, and the Shen family needed to back an Imperial Prince, as remaining neutral offered no future.

“True, our elders do decide our marriages. But Grandfather has already betrothed me to him. You’re too late, Xiao Wenqi.”

Shen Ruyue did not know how to refute Xiao Wenqi at first, but a thought suddenly flashed through her mind-yes, she would just use Qin Xiao to deflect him, and besides, her grandfather really had spoken of such a thing.

“Him? Where did this country bumpkin crawl out from? I am familiar with every single prodigy in the entire Imperial Capital. No one is more suited to you than I am. What is he supposed to be? Just some useless wastrel without any cultivation.”

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