Female Protagonist Assistance System

Early the next morning, while Xiao Han was still cultivating, she heard someone knocking at her courtyard gate. Xiao Han understood this was likely someone summoning her to the main hall. Calculating the time, she realized today should be the day Nalan Yanran comes to break off the engagement.

She casually responded, tidied her clothes, and opened the door to find the lotus-like girl standing there.

Xiao Han fell silent.

Seeing Xiao Han’s poker face, Gu Xun’er’s lips curved slightly, looking quite pleased: “Senior Sister.”

Xiao Han: “…Cousin Xun’er.” What a straightforward female lead.

Gu Xun’er seemed unsatisfied with Xiao Han’s form of address. She smiled mischievously and said: “Cousin Xun’er sounds too distant. Why don’t you just call me Xun’er, Senior Sister?”

“Xun’er.” Xiao Han smoothly complied. “So early in the morning, does Junior Sister have some business?”

Xiao Han deliberately emphasized “Junior Sister,” revealing her occasional mischievous side despite her usual cold detachment.

Gu Xun’er acted as if she hadn’t heard, smiling as she replied: “Uncle Xiao Zhan asked us to go to the main hall. I heard distinguished guests are visiting today.”

Distinguished guests? It seems Nalan Yanran has arrived. Xiao Han understood inwardly but maintained her calm exterior.

The two walked towards the main hall together, attracting many glances. Those who saw this pair were quite surprised—since when had Young Miss Xun’er and Fourth Young Miss Xiao become so close?

“I never imagined that one day Xun’er would become fellow disciples with Senior Sister,” Gu Xun’er suddenly said. “Senior Sister is so mysterious, it’s truly unimaginable.”

Xiao Han kept her gaze straight ahead: “We’ve arrived.”

Seeing that Xiao Han didn’t want to discuss the matter, Gu Xun’er dropped the subject.

The hall was spacious and quite crowded. Seated at the highest position were Xiao Zhan and three impassive elders—clan elders whose authority rivaled the clan leader’s.

To the left of these four sat family members with influence and considerable strength, alongside some outstanding younger generation members.

On the other side sat three people, two elderly and one young. Xiao Han immediately recognized Nalan Yanran seated in the middle.

Seeing Xiao Han enter, Nalan Yanran’s eyes widened in surprise. She instinctively wanted to stand and exclaim but found herself locked in place by an invisible force.

Xiao Han slightly shook her head at her, stopping her action.

Nalan Yanran realized Xiao Han didn’t want others to know they were acquainted and managed to suppress her excitement. She had never dreamed that the person she admired so much was actually a member of the family she was coming to break off the engagement with. Her previously anxious mood gradually calmed with Xiao Han’s appearance.

Others might not have noticed Xiao Han’s subtle gesture, but how could Gu Xun’er, standing closest to her, have missed it? She tilted her head slightly and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear: “Senior Sister knows her?”

Xiao Han made an affirmative sound and said quietly: “A friend.”

After a pause, she added: “The disciple of my teacher’s good friend.”

Not incorrect—she and Yun Yun could indeed be considered good friends.

Seeing the two enter, Xiao Zhan called out a greeting and had someone lead them to their seats.

“Does Senior Sister know why they’re here?” Gu Xun’er cradled a book, tilting her head to look at the young woman seated in the middle.

“To break off the engagement,” Xiao Han said.

Gu Xun’er nodded, seeming to recall something: “Is she the Cloud Mist Young Sect Master, Nalan Yanran, who has an engagement with Cousin Xiao Yan?”

Xiao Han made an affirmative sound: “What do you think?”

Gu Xun’er’s eyes flickered, then she gave a light laugh: “Not worthy.”

Xiao Han immediately understood Gu Xun’er’s meaning—she was saying Xiao Yan wasn’t worthy of Nalan Yanran.

[This female lead has good awareness,] the system remarked.

Xiao Han agreed.

Not long after, Xiao Yan was led in by the housekeeper. As in the original story, the Third Elder hadn’t left a seat for Xiao Yan.

Unlike the original story, this time Gu Xun’er didn’t speak up to let Xiao Yan sit beside her to alleviate his awkward situation.

Xiao Zhan was inwardly furious but couldn’t do anything about the two elders, as their authority in the Xiao family was no less than his own.

“Xun’er, could you let your cousin sit next to you?” After scanning the hall, Xiao Zhan turned to Gu Xun’er and asked.

Xiao Han slightly furrowed her brow. How could Xiao Zhan not understand his own intentions? He simply wanted Xiao Yan to build a good relationship with Gu Xun’er. After all, Xiao Zhan was also shrewd. Even if he didn’t know exactly what backing Gu Xun’er had, he could vaguely sense that the power behind Gu Xun’er far surpassed what the Nalan family could compare to.

Xiao Zhan thought, since Xiao Yan already had Nalan Yanran as his fiancée, he couldn’t arrange a match between Xiao Yan and Gu Xun’er, but they could still be friends.

Noticing Xiao Han’s very slight frown, Gu Xun’er’s disgust and irritation provoked by Xiao Zhan inexplicably diminished. Her eyes curved in a smile as she said: “Alright.”

Before Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan could show their happiness, she continued: “Then I’ll sit with Cousin Xiao Han.”

Ignoring Xiao Yan’s instantly darkened expression, Gu Xun’er gracefully stood up and said to Xiao Han: “Cousin Xiao Han, could you make some room for me?”

Xiao Han was somewhat exasperated. This female lead was truly as described in the novel—mischievous and clever. However, she didn’t dislike it. Compared to a meek and compliant female lead, she preferred this confident and lively type. So, she said nothing, just moved over a bit. Fortunately, the seat was quite large, easily accommodating two people.

Gu Xun’er sat down next to Xiao Han, inhaling her rich, clean fragrance. Xiao Han inexplicably felt her mood improve somewhat.

Seeing that Gu Xun’er was unwilling to sit with Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan felt only some regret, not anger. He then turned his attention to Nalan Yanran before him.

“Uncle Xiao Zhan, my daughter indeed has important matters to discuss today, but it’s not suitable to talk about them in public,” Nalan Yanran stood up and addressed Xiao Zhan respectfully.

Xiao Zhan was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding Nalan Yanran’s meaning, but still heeded her suggestion, asking everyone else to leave first, keeping only Xiao Yan and the two elders.

Outside the door, Gu Xun’er smiled at Xiao Han: “Senior Sister, want to browse the market together?”

Xiao Han glanced at her and said: “No, I have some things to do. I’ll take my leave first.”

With that, she turned and left.

Gu Xun’er watched her departing figure, revealing a pleased smile.

Xiao Han walked into an empty alley, quickly changed into her black robe, then with a flash of lightning at her feet, vanished from the spot.

“Don’t think I, Xiao Yan, care much about you as some genius wife. This contract isn’t to break off the engagement, but a certificate of divorce from this young master expelling you from the Xiao family! From now on, you, Nalan Yanran, have no more connection with my Xiao family!”

Just as she returned to the main hall’s entrance, Xiao Han heard Xiao Yan’s angry voice. She tugged at the corner of her lips and pushed open the door.

“Heh, divorce? I’d like to ask, what right do you have to write a divorce certificate and divorce Yanran?”

The hoarse voice drew everyone’s attention. The figure completely shrouded in black robes pushed open the hall doors and slowly walked in.

Seeing the black-robed person, Xiao Yan instantly recalled the one who had swept him off the courtyard wall years ago. He unconsciously shrank his neck, showing some fear. Meanwhile, Nalan Yanran and the elder beside her couldn’t help but reveal delighted expressions upon seeing the black-robed figure.

“Esteemed One.” The two elders beside Nalan Yanran bowed respectfully to Xiao Han, their tones extremely deferential.

Xiao Zhan’s pupils also involuntarily contracted. Someone who could command such respect from a Cloud Mist Sect seven-star Dou Great Master…

Xiao Han waved her hand, her gaze profound as she looked at Xiao Yan.

“I wasn’t aware that the Xiao family’s Third Young Master had any right to write this divorce certificate?”

Xiao Yan’s face reddened with anger: “On the Dou Qi Continent, how embarrassing it is for the man when the woman breaks off the engagement, heh, I have thick skin, it doesn’t matter to me, but my father! He’s the leader of a clan. If he really agrees to this woman’s request today, how will he manage the Xiao family in the future? How will he maintain his standing in Wutan City…”

Xiao Han coldly interrupted him: “That’s why Yanran asked your father to dismiss everyone else and discuss this matter privately with you.”

So your stated reasons are completely invalid.

Xiao Yan choked, unable to speak for a while.

“First, this marriage was indeed arranged by the elders of both families, but as you said yourself, you have no skills to speak of. If the woman publicly breaks off the engagement, it would embarrass the man, but wouldn’t the woman also face criticism if the man is incompetent? Instead of reflecting on your own problems, why should a young girl in the prime of her youth waste the rest of her life on someone who doesn’t strive for progress?”

“Second, you indeed have an engagement, but Yanran hasn’t yet married into the Xiao family and isn’t yet a member of your Xiao family. What’s the point of the Xiao family’s Third Young Master writing a divorce certificate? And expelling her from the Xiao family? I didn’t expect the Xiao family’s Third Young Master to lack even this basic common sense.”

“Third, although Yanran is breaking off the engagement, she didn’t do so publicly but negotiated with you privately, even compensating with several bottles of fourth-grade pills. She’s already being very considerate of your Xiao family’s face. Yet you persist, insisting on humiliating Yanran. Xiao family’s Third Young Master, I think I should remind you that it’s good for young people to have spirit, but you must also consider the situation and the opponent. Otherwise, it’s just mindless impulsiveness. The Nalan family used to be on good terms with the Xiao family. You humiliate the Nalan family’s young miss, and the Nalan family might overlook this matter for the sake of Old Master Nalan’s face, but that doesn’t mean the Cloud Mist Sect will let someone who humiliated their Young Sect Master off the hook.”

Xiao Han deliberately infused her last words with some killing intent, causing all present members of the Xiao family to involuntarily shudder. The two elders finally realized what kind of disaster Xiao Yan’s actions could bring upon the Xiao family, and immediately turned angry gazes towards the now pale-faced youth.

Xiao Han continued in an icy voice: “The Xiao family’s Third Young Master should also know that this world is one where the strong prey on the weak. Your Xiao family may be considered a major family in Wutan City, but compared to the Cloud Mist Sect… Heh, so I’m very curious, where did you get the courage to humiliate the Cloud Mist Sect’s Young Sect Master like this? Should I understand this as the Xiao family declaring war on the Cloud Mist Sect?”

This accusation was quite severe. No matter how renowned the Xiao family was in Wutan City, they were still just a small family, while the Cloud Mist Sect was the Gamma Empire’s premier protective sect. To put it bluntly, for the Cloud Mist Sect to destroy the Xiao family would be hardly more difficult than crushing an ant.

“Esteemed One, please understand! This is all due to the young man’s ignorance and momentary impulsiveness. Our Xiao family has no intention of provoking your esteemed sect!”

With things having escalated to this point, Xiao Zhan could no longer remain silent on the sidelines. He finally realized that Nalan Yanran had indeed been very considerate of their Xiao family’s face. If Nalan Yanran truly disregarded others, she could have, like this esteemed one, invoked the Cloud Mist Sect to pressure the Xiao family. In that case, the Xiao family would not only be unable to do anything but would have to swallow their pride and smile as they sent them off like honored ancestors. After all, she was not only the young miss of the Nalan family, which was on good terms with the Xiao family, but also the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect!

Xiao Yan’s expression twisted with anger, but he dared not say anything.

“It seems the Xiao family’s Third Young Master is still very dissatisfied,” Xiao Han sneered. This statement immediately drew angry glares from the two elders towards Xiao Yan.

“Young people have their own ways of resolving issues. Since the Xiao family’s Third Young Master is dissatisfied, let’s agree to your proposal—a three-year agreement. How about that?”