BTTH: The Legend Of Xiu Emperor

This is a marriage contract.

Hun Xiu was surprised when he saw the word "engagement."

The idea of the Gu and Hun Clans getting married seemed incredible and bizarre to him. After all, as far as he knew, the relationship between the two clans was far from friendly. A marriage alliance? It sounded almost impossible.

"Are you surprised?" Hun Tian Di asked, a strange look flashing in his eyes as he noticed Hun Xiu's trembling hands.

"Father, our eight ancient clans have always been wary of each other, especially the Gu and Hun Clans. Our relationship has never been amicable. Now, to hear of a marriage alliance—it's incredible," Hun Xiu replied respectfully as he regained his composure.

Though young, Hun Xiu, as the son of Hun Tian Di, had a certain understanding of the eight ancient clans. What's more, he was a reincarnator and a man who knew the future.

Hun Tian Di nodded slightly, agreeing with Hun Xiu's observation. He said in a deep voice, "You're right. The relationship between the Hun and Gu Clans has always been strained. But there are no eternal enemies on this continent. With enough interests at stake, anything is possible."

"I see," Hun Xiu nodded, though he still found it hard to understand fully.

"You probably haven't finished reading the marriage contract yet. Keep reading," Hun Tian Di prompted, noticing Hun Xiu's distracted demeanor.

"Alright," Hun Xiu replied. He picked up the contract again and began reading it carefully. At first, his curiosity about the engagement dominated his thoughts. But as he read further, a foreboding feeling began to grow in his heart.

Finally, he finished reading. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. The contract slipped from his hands and fell lightly to the ground.

Taking a few steps back, his young face was filled with shock. Slowly regaining his senses, he looked at Hun Tian Di and asked, his voice trembling, "Father, is this marriage contract... really mine?"

Hun Xiu had read the entire contract. Initially, he was curious about which Hun Clan member was involved in the engagement. Never did he expect to find himself as the protagonist of this arrangement.

Hun Xiu was an exceptional talent, a prodigy among his peers. He had thought marriage arrangements were for less capable members of the clan to reflect their value. But he? A monstrous talent? A mere pawn in a political game?

What shocked him even more was the identity of the bride—Gu Xun'er.

This revelation was both thrilling and terrifying. Hun Xiu, engaged to Gu Xun'er? What would this mean for Xiao Yan in the future? Would Xiao Yan become a third party? Or was Hun Xiu the third party in this entanglement?

---

Hun Tian Di, oblivious to Hun Xiu's turbulent thoughts, gestured with his hand, and the contract flew into his grasp. He stored it in his ring and said, "Yes, this engagement is yours."

Then, he changed his tone slightly and added, "Why? Are you happy? A child bride—a fiancée—this is something your father could only dream of when he was young."

Hun Xiu: "…"

At this moment, countless expletives were swirling in Hun Xiu's mind. Tens of thousands of alpacas seemed to gallop past him.

"Father, my Soul Clan and the Ancient Clan have always been at odds. Why form an alliance now? And why… why must I marry Gu Xun'er, the daughter of Gu Yuan?" Hun Xiu asked, trying to suppress his frustration.

Although he knew this was purely a political arrangement, he couldn't suppress the indignation of having his fate decided for him.

Gu Xun'er.

It would be a lie to say that Hun Xiu didn't admire her. She was beautiful, after all.

But whenever he thought of her, Xiao Yan would inevitably come to mind. The thought filled him with unease, as if a green light had started glowing faintly above his head.

Was this truly happening?

To Hun Xiu, Gu Xun'er was either already cheating on him or well on her way. He felt like he was sitting at home when, out of nowhere, a metaphorical hat fell from the sky. The hat had been placed on him by none other than his own father.

And after all this, the man had the audacity to ask, "Are you happy?"

No one could possibly understand the mix of frustration and helplessness he felt at that moment.

Hun Tian Di, unaware of his son's inner turmoil, continued seriously, "Xiu'er, since you're the future young master of our Hun Clan, I see no harm in telling you this.

"Marrying into the Gu Clan was a decision your father made after careful consideration."

Hun Xiu: "Careful consideration? If the translator hadn't told me secretly, I might've believed you. You old thing, bribed by a piece of jade! Just wait till you're old. Hun Tian Di, just you wait!"

(TL/N: Bro you helped your father so much till the end even now and saved his life multiple times. - I'm a spoiler aren't I?)

Still, Hun Xiu looked at his father and asked, "So, this is a deal?"

He stared at the man fearlessly, despite the weight of his words.

"Yes, this is a deal," Hun Tian Di replied calmly.

"And what terms did the Gu Clan offer to make my father…sell me out?" Hun Xiu asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Hun Tian Di smiled slightly at the question. "This child… he truly takes after me. Blunt and to the point," he mused silently.

"Xiu'er," Hun Tian Di began, "as my son, the things you've been exposed to are unlike those of others. You should know of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, correct?"

"Yes," Hun Xiu replied, his pupils contracting slightly. "The legendary artifact related to the last Dou Di of the continent?"

"Exactly."

Hun Tian Di nodded. "The Gu Clan is offering the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade as part of this marriage arrangement. Gu Yuan specifically requested for you. You know how important the jade is to our Hun Clan.

"This is a chance for our clan to obtain the jade without a single loss of life. How could I refuse?"

"I understand," Hun Xiu said, resigned to his fate.

He clenched his fists beneath his sleeves, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "Am I truly so weak," he thought, "that I can't even control my own destiny?"

Then, looking ahead, he muttered to himself, "Gu Xun'er, I hope you can respect yourself. You have a fiancé now. If I ever find out you've turned me into a joke, I will erase the entire Gu Clan from existence."

(TL/N: Boy, she's the little kid who rode you! Don't overthink too much.)