Chapter 1181: Neither Side Giving Way
Bai Lei was left speechless by Bai Chen's retort, but Bai Jiumeng had something to say.
"Bai Chen, this arranged marriage is merely your wishful thinking. I have never agreed to it, so I ask you to mind your words. I am not your fiancée, and I will not have my reputation sullied by you."
Hearing this, Bai Chen turned his gaze back to Bai Jiumeng, then sneered coldly.
"Since it's an arranged marriage, what does your agreement or disagreement matter?"
Bai Chen's words made Bai Jiumeng's expression turn quite ugly for a moment.
"What era are we living in, to still play such tricks with arranged marriages? I don't know what you're thinking, nor do I want to know, but I will absolutely not accept this!"
Bai Chen let out a cold laugh upon hearing her, then spoke.
"What do you mean, 'playing tricks with arranged marriages'? From your words, it seems you are extremely dissatisfied with the patriarch and the entire clan's high-ranking members. And rightly so; your decision to flee the marriage indeed shows your significant displeasure with the patriarch and the clan elders. Otherwise, how would you dare to do such a bold thing?"
Because Bai Jiumeng had fled Snow Fox Mountain to avoid the arranged marriage, it not only stripped him of his face and made him a laughingstock in others' eyes, but it also disgraced his family. How could he not be furious? And precisely because his heart was filled with such rage, he showed no quarter when speaking to Bai Jiumeng now.
Bai Jiumeng naturally sensed Bai Chen's fury, but she did not flinch because of it. Before she made the decision to return to Snow Fox Mountain, she had already prepared herself mentally for this aspect. Since she dared to come back of her own accord, there was no way she would retreat.
If she were to retreat because of a few words from Bai Chen, where would she find the courage and nerve to face the patriarch and the high-ranking members of the White Fox Clan?
"Bai Chen, you don't need to brand me with such labels. My dissatisfaction is solely with the arranged marriage; I have no intention of disrespecting the patriarch or the clan's high-ranking members. I can accept any other arrangement the clan makes, but this arranged marriage is the one thing I, Bai Jiumeng, can absolutely never accept!"
Bai Chen sneered coldly at her words, then pressed on relentlessly.
"Defying the will of the patriarch and the clan's high-ranking members is disrespect, and this applies to everything, marriage included. Not only did you defy the patriarch and the clan elders, but you even fled Snow Fox Mountain. Such an action is an even greater act of disrespect, a blatant provocation of clan rules. How can you possibly claim that you had no intention of disrespect?"
Bai Chen's words made Bai Jiumeng's brow furrow even deeper, and her peerlessly beautiful face showed not a trace of warmth.
"I cannot reason with you on this matter. I will personally go to see the patriarch, communicate with him properly about this, and request that he revoke the arranged marriage!"
Bai Jiumeng knew that continuing to argue with Bai Chen would yield no results and might even escalate the conflict. She had returned this time to resolve problems, not to complicate them further, so she no longer wished to waste words on Bai Chen.
"Hmph, go see the patriarch yourself? Fine by me, I was just about to do the same. Coincidentally, the patriarch and the clan elders are currently discussing matters in the Deliberation Hall. It's the perfect time for us to go now; I just wonder if you dare. However, even if you don't dare, it makes no difference. News of your return will soon reach the patriarch and the clan elders. When that happens, I believe the patriarch will personally summon you. After all, ever since you fled Snow Fox Mountain, the clan has mobilized many people and expended considerable resources to find you. This matter will certainly require an explanation."
Bai Chen let out a cold snort, then spoke icily, his words clearly meant to provoke.
"Since I dared to return of my own accord, there's no question of not daring. And since you happen to be here, it's perfect; you and I can go to the Deliberation Hall and make things clear."
Bai Jiumeng replied coldly. After her words fell, she turned her gaze to Bai Xue and Luo Xue.
"President, Luo Xue, please rest at my home for now. I'll go to the Deliberation Hall and return shortly."
Bai Xue and Luo Xue had remained silent until now, not because they didn't want to speak, but because they both knew it wasn't appropriate for them to interject. Speaking carelessly might not help Bai Jiumeng at all, and could instead make things even more complicated. Both were meticulous thinkers, so they naturally wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
Now, seeing Bai Jiumeng about to go to the Deliberation Hall with Bai Chen, both still felt a degree of worry in their hearts. However, the arrow was on the string; it had to be loosed. Having reached this point, what needed to be faced had to be faced. Evasion would not only fail to solve the problem but would also make them a laughingstock. Moreover, if the problem wasn't resolved, Bai Jiumeng's trip back would have been in vain. Thus, neither of them had any intention of stopping Bai Jiumeng.
"Heh heh, be careful. Don't panic if anything happens. Don't forget, you're part of an organization now, and the power behind you is strong, so you can be a bit bolder."
Bai Xue chuckled as she offered the reminder. She didn't deliberately raise or lower her voice; her words seemed directed at Bai Jiumeng, yet also appeared to be spoken for everyone present.
Bai Xue's enchanting voice made the hearts of every man present stir, and Young Masters Bai Lei and Bai Chen were no exception. Everyone involuntarily cast their gazes towards Bai Xue. To their regret, however, Bai Xue wore a mask, making her true appearance impossible to discern. Yet, in their estimation, with such an alluring voice, Bai Xue must surely be a rare beauty; even if not equal to Bai Jiumeng, she certainly wouldn't be far behind. Some had even begun to conjure images of Bai Xue's appearance in their minds.
While surprised by the allure of Bai Xue's voice, Bai Chen was even more astonished by Bai Jiumeng's address to Bai Xue and Bai Xue's subtly meaningful words. He had a rough understanding of what Bai Xue's reminder to Bai Jiumeng implied.
Previously, his attention had been entirely on Bai Jiumeng, so he hadn't noticed Bai Xue and Luo Xue. Now that he did, he vaguely felt that both of them were extraordinary, especially the masked Bai Xue.
Although a sense of caution arose in his heart towards Bai Xue and Luo Xue, and he was surprised by Bai Xue's warning to Bai Jiumeng, he did not feel fear because of it. Even if Bai Xue and Luo Xue were highly capable, and even if powerful figures were protecting them from behind, he remained undaunted, for he, too, had his own reliance!
"President, rest assured, I'll be fine!"
Bai Jiumeng replied to Bai Xue. Seeing this, Bai Chen felt quite uncomfortable, especially when Bai Jiumeng addressed Bai Xue as "President. " The feeling of unease in his heart was particularly strong.
"Heh heh, I must kindly remind the two of you: this is Snow Fox Mountain, the territory of our White Fox Clan. Outsiders have no right to speak here. When you come to us, if you're a tiger, you'll lie down for me; if you're a dragon, you'll coil for me!"
Bai Chen spoke coldly, looking at Bai Xue. After his words fell, he turned his gaze to Bai Lei.
"Bai Lei, our Snow Fox Mountain now strictly forbids outsiders. Yet, you dared to take it upon yourself to let these two in. Heh heh, when the higher-ups blame someone for this, you'll have a hard time. Not only will you suffer greatly, but even your family will be implicated because of your foolish decision. If you don't believe me, just wait and see. If I were you, the first thing I'd think about right now is how to deal with this problem and try to lighten the coming punishment, instead of harassing my wife here!"
As Bai Chen spoke to Bai Lei, his expression was not only disdainful, but his tone also carried a hint of schadenfreude, making Bai Lei's face flush then pale. He wanted to refute but was powerless to do so, for he knew Bai Chen's words were not mere scaremongering.
"Bai Chen, I'm warning you one last time. I am not your fiancée, nor am I your wife. If you utter another word of nonsense, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Intense anger showed on Bai Jiumeng's face. Bai Chen saw it but had no intention of stopping.
"Hmph, you're not now, but you will be soon enough. Since you've returned this time, don't even think about escaping Snow Fox Mountain again. If you believe you can flee this place like last time, then you're sorely mistaken."
After dropping these words, Bai Chen's body transformed into a streak of green light and shot rapidly towards the mountain peak. The others who had come with him swiftly followed.
Seeing this, Bai Jiumeng didn't hesitate. Just as she was about to leave and follow Bai Chen, anxious voices from Meng Ba and Meng Ma reached her.
"Jiumeng, if it truly won't work, just agree to Young Master Chen. Continuing this fight will do you no good."
"That's right, Jiumeng. If you keep stirring up trouble like this, you'll be the only one who suffers in the end. You're not young anymore, why can't you see some truths clearly?"
Meng Ba and Meng Ma's reminders filled Bai Jiumeng with a deep sense of helplessness, but this helplessness was directed only at her parents' thoughts. In her heart, she still refused to compromise on the arranged marriage. Not only did she refuse to compromise, but she was absolutely determined to resolve this matter completely today. Otherwise, she would remain stifled by a lingering resentment, making her terribly uncomfortable!
She gave no response to her parents, her body transforming into a streak of green light and shooting towards the mountain peak, as the clan's Deliberation Hall was precisely built at the summit of Snow Fox Mountain.
Seeing that Bai Jiumeng had left, Bai Lei naturally didn't want to remain there, for with Bai Jiumeng gone, there was nothing else left for him to linger for.
He had originally planned to return to his family and consider how to lighten his punishment. After all, allowing outsiders into Snow Fox Mountain without authorization was no small matter. As Bai Chen had just said, once the higher-ups started to investigate, Young Master Lei would indeed have a difficult time. Therefore, he needed to make some preparations in advance, pull some strings, so that when someone spoke on his behalf, his punishment would be somewhat reduced.
However, this thought only lingered in his mind for an instant. Soon after, he thought of another matter, one he deemed more important than the former. Thus, after a brief consideration, he gritted his teeth, abandoning the former and choosing the latter.
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