The reason for the mess on the table may not be the result of the wine glasses and plates being left behind after a party, but Lun Hui's casual remark also has similar power.

Seeing Lun Hui's exaggerated reaction, Nora on the opposite table laughed lightly, like a crescent moon, with a shining light.

And Lady Nolan next to Lun Hui quickly tidied up the plates and bowls in front of him, feeling a bit flustered.

"Lun Hui, why are you so excited? Are you too happy?" Hedda asked jokingly.

More than being too excited, he almost choked on being "excited".

"Why did Uncle suddenly bring up this topic?" Lun Hui wiped his black jacket with a towel while asking hesitantly.

"You don't think I'm planning to break the engagement, do you?" Hedda narrowed his eyes and asked with a somewhat ominous tone.

"No... of course not. Lord Hedda is a man of his word, naturally he follows through. But it's been a long time since I last saw... Lady Rhythm, so it's quite surprising to bring up this topic suddenly," Lun Hui said cautiously after calming down a bit.

"Why is it surprising? When you were twelve, we had a special meeting to tell you about it. Twelve years have passed since then, shouldn't you be mentally prepared? Don't tell me you forgot about such an important matter."

At this moment, Lun Hui inexplicably turned his head and glanced at the woman directly opposite, but Rhythm Nolan slightly tilted her head and calmly stared at Lun Hui.

This fleeting glance made Lun Hui quickly retract his gaze.

"I definitely haven't forgotten about this important matter. But back then, it was just a verbal engagement. Twelve years have passed now, things have changed, and our father has passed away. Shouldn't we discuss it further? Moreover, Lady Rhythm is the Captain of the Royal Knights, and marrying someone is a matter that affects the entire political arena. Lord Hedda should be cautious," Lun Hui said cautiously.

What Lun Hui was implying was that twelve years had passed, there was no written evidence at the time, so it had no legal effect. Lun Li had also passed away, so there was no need to uphold the promise. Moreover, Rhythm as an important minister marrying an unknown person was a bit forced, and it might become a joke among the upper class.

Upon hearing this, Hedda suddenly burst into laughter.

"You, just like your father, you are nothing alike." Hedda slapped his thigh, took a sip of wine, and said, "Regarding Lun Li, if it were him, he would definitely agree without hesitation. I know what you are considering, fundamentally speaking, if you marry Rhythm, it is indeed a reach."

Lun Hui heard this and his face couldn't help but stiffen.

"But does that mean Rhythm must marry someone from an equal background? Should she marry a prince or the grandson of a prime minister? There is no need for that. The Nolan Family has spent so many years, positioning me as the Speaker of the meeting, Nora and Rhythm in important positions in the military, all to avoid being controlled by others. So when it comes to marriage, no one should give me any advice."

Hedda said with a strange sense of pride.

"Uncle, let's take a step back. Although we don't care about social status and other political factors, there is something more important before that, and that is Rhythm's own feelings. We haven't seen each other for several years, we are not familiar with each other, and there is no emotional foundation. The hasty marriage might not be a good idea," Lun Hui said, already pointing out some sharp questions.

But Hedda didn't directly answer. Instead, he turned his head to face Rhythm Nolan and asked, "Ritsu, do you dislike this kid?"

For a while, Nora and Lady Nolan both looked over anxiously. They had to admit that this was a very tense question, but Lun Hui felt that Hedda's way of asking already had a hint of unquestionable meaning.

"No," Rhythm Nolan didn't hesitate much and calmly replied, and then handed the conversation back to the father-in-law and son-in-law.

"Did you hear that? Ritsu said she doesn't dislike him."

"But the fact that there isn't much affection between them is also true," Lun Hui couldn't help but laugh and cry. Was Lord Hedda trying to sell his daughter? This is not an ordinary woman, but one of the pinnacle figures in imperial power, the most beautiful female warrior. Many men are crazy about her, but you are here forcefully promoting her, as if afraid that once Lun Hui refuses, no one will pick her up."Emotions are not that simple. Can't we cultivate them slowly after getting married? Didn't Aunt Changhu and I also go through this?" Hedda's words were indeed true. Many people in this class of aristocracy have arranged marriages.

"I've known you for twelve years, and when Night was still around, you used to come over often, didn't you? It's just that we haven't seen each other in five years. Living together, we will quickly become familiar with each other," Rhythm replied.

Hedda's statement about cultivating emotions after marriage made it sound like raising a pet, as if you could just buy it and then cultivate it afterward... wait, what does it mean to live together first?

"I'll go and have someone arrange a marriage certificate for you. Then we can buy a mansion to live in. I've already thought about the wedding banquet. We don't need too many people, just a few close relatives from both sides. I don't want my daughter's wedding to become a social event for the upper class," Hedda said enthusiastically, but then suddenly paused. "Or... Lun Hui, do you have any dissatisfaction with Rhythm, or are you seeing someone else?"

Lun Hui almost fainted. He thought, as a member of the Senate, Hedda's imagination is too rich. He even used the term "seeing someone else".

Unexpectedly, Nora suddenly spoke up. "That's not the case, Father. The intelligence feedback from the Ministry of Intelligence shows that after attending university, Xiao Hui didn't have frequent contact with female students. The only person he maintained contact with in the past five years, apart from his mentor, Longyou, is Jiaojiao, Joke's daughter. Longyou's file cannot be viewed due to permissions, and the half-fairy Jiaojiao is currently abroad," Nora explained confidently.

"How do you know?" Lun Hui blinked his eyes in disbelief and asked pitifully.

"I am not only a visiting professor at Thorn University, but also an honorary staff member of the United Front Work Department," Nora smiled lightly at Shichuan and blinked her eyes. "Some personnel files are easily accessible."

Lun Hui really wanted to clarify who would investigate the social network of an ordinary university student, but he was still horrified.

"That's settled then. Tomorrow, I'll have A Quan arrange your marriage certificate, and I'll find a house for you in these few days!" Hedda declared firmly.

-----------------Cut-------------------

Lun Hui couldn't believe that on a seemingly ordinary day, he would be "married" off.

Not long after dinner, Lun Hui claimed that he needed to prepare for class and should return home early. Hedda and Mrs. Nolan didn't stop him since their goal for tonight had been achieved. However, they asked Rhythm to see him off.

In essence, although Lun Hui often called Drunkard Old Man, due to his upbringing, he still had a deep respect for Lun Li. That's why he didn't outright refuse the arrangement. On the other hand, Lun Li was a lazy and opportunist person who often flattered others, but she had always been good to her son. With the decision made by the elder, Lun Hui ultimately chose to comply.

But considering that Rhythm Nolan was the flower of the imperial capital and met all the criteria of an exceptional woman, why would he refuse? However, Lun Hui didn't really want it. Although this dreamlike woman shocked him every time they met, it had nothing to do with feelings of determination and love.

As a man, he could be attracted to beauty and even have some impulsive desires, but he wouldn't be so promiscuous.

Furthermore, Lun Hui himself didn't understand what love was, let alone marriage.

Therefore, Lun Hui believed that Rhythm Nolan must also feel the same. When these two got into the car, they must have a lot to talk about.

It was a long luxury car, and the driver, Uncle Quan, was Lan Aunt's husband. They had both served the Nolan family for over twenty years, so Lun Hui was familiar with him. Uncle Quan usually held an important position by Hedda's side and would not do the job of a driver, but tonight he made an exception.The carriage compartment was spacious enough, completely separated from the driver's seat, so conversations couldn't be overheard. Although Lun Hui didn't have good estimation ability, he knew that Uncle Quan's strength was at least above the ace level, or even at the master level, much stronger than his own ranking as a special grade.

At this moment, Lun Hui sat with the first beauty of the imperial capital in this small space, feeling a bit reserved. He knew that she probably had a lot to say, and he didn't believe that Rhythm would fully comply with Hedda's irrational decision, unless this woman was like those exaggerated plotlines in novels and had liked him since they were young.

Lun Hui naturally didn't possess such charm, whether in appearance, skill, or family background.

However...

"Thank you."

Rhythm Nolan suddenly bent down and said.

In an instant, Lun Hui couldn't help but smile.

"Why?"

With a thousand words in his heart, Rhythm Nolan started with this sentence, which truly surprised Lun Hui and also didn't completely surprise him.

"Thank you for staying with Night until the end." Rhythm Nolan's voice was like a breeze. "Although it's five years late, as Night's sister, I feel that I owe you a gratitude."

"No, you don't owe me anything, and I don't owe you anything in return. Night's matter was my own choice. I voluntarily chose an ugly girl as my fiancée, and I've regretted it for the past twelve years." Lun Hui bluntly said, "When I was in junior high school and went to school with her, I was mocked every day."

"But Night was happy during those years. Whether you deceived her or paid no real attention to her, at least she left with a smile in the end."

"What are you trying to express?" Lun Hui didn't want to discuss such a melodramatic topic and interrupted, feeling a bit annoyed. "If I hadn't pushed open her door and gotten to know her first, I wouldn't have chosen her. It was just an accident. I didn't know she had health problems."

However, both of them were no longer children, and Rhythm Nolan wouldn't believe Lun Hui's words like she did in previous years, but she didn't expose it either, just giving the man in front of her a deep look.

"I just want to thank you for the time and effort you invested in Night before everything starts."

"That's nothing. I was young at the time, so just consider it having an extra playmate. If you think you need to thank me, just give me a large sum of money," Lun Hui smirked, "But Night is Night, it has nothing to do with the rest of you. So, you don't owe me anything. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lun Hui made it clear that she didn't need to let emotions like gratitude affect her decisions. Besides, she was just one of the several sisters. Did the whole family have to marry him or something?

"Unfortunately, Father doesn't think the same way," Rhythm Nolan's face remained unchanged, unmoved by Lun Hui's words. "He arranged for me to be engaged because he saw that Night couldn't fulfill the marriage contract's promise. From a certain perspective, I am the sister who partially replaced Night to fulfill her duties, so I want to thank you on her behalf."

In other words, Lun Hui, if you hadn't chosen Night back then but someone else, it would have been easier. But now, not only do you have to repay Lun Li's life-saving favor, but you also have to repay Night's kindness.

Perhaps Hedda didn't plan to let Rhythm become a concubine at that time, but a moment of guilt compensation mentality led to the best second daughter being given away.

Lun Hui frowned and felt a bit displeased in his heart, but he kept it to himself.

"Then I accept your gratitude, so we're even now, right?" Lun Hui lazily leaned back on the soft seat. This woman's aura was indeed extraordinary. "As for the matter of marriage, what do you think? That's the most important thing."

"Let's get married," Rhythm Nolan had some elven features, such as her skin's delicate and fair complexion that humans couldn't achieve, and her somewhat sexy and pointed ears.

"Are you sure?" This time, Lun Hui was astonished.

"Absolutely," Rhythm Nolan's half-elven eyes remained calm as she nodded."I told you before, I accepted your apology, so everything between us is settled, right? If that's the case, you don't owe me anything. If anything, it's your father's responsibility towards Lun Li, not mine. I'm not Lun Li, and you're not Lord Hedda, so we have no obligation to take responsibility for their affairs. Marriage is your happiness, and you have every right to refuse."

"Unless it's really that interesting and you developed feelings for me," Lun Hui mocked himself with this reason.

"Indeed, I don't exactly like you," Rhythm Nolan said lightly, "but you owe me."

Lun Hui was taken aback by this. If this woman doesn't like me, then we might as well call off the marriage. I don't believe that Lord Hedda would disregard his daughter's well-being. Of course, it would be quite amusing to see the esteemed Knight Commander causing all this ruckus. But if you don't like me, why make things difficult for yourself, and why claim that I owe you?

"Didn't we settle things before? Why do I owe you now?" Lun Hui asked curiously.

"Before, it was about Night's matter. You said you accepted my apology and considered it settled, that was about Night. But what comes next is simply what you owe me," Rhythm Nolan's lips formed an enigmatic smile. "Although I am not Night, and we didn't attend the same junior high, I am also one of the 'predestined' fiancées chosen for you since childhood. Just imagine how it feels for a girl to be 'predestined' to someone from the age of ten until now, twelve years in total. I have been deprived of the right to love, and I have handed over my future to someone of the opposite sex who wasn't my choice since I was not yet mature enough to understand. That feeling of hesitation and helplessness is what you owe me."

Naturally, Rhythm Nolan wouldn't tell Lun Hui that she herself was entranced by martial arts and didn't have much desire for love. However, when Lun Hui heard this, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"In that case, I'm the same. I also had a 'fiancée' since I was young and lost the right to love. Countless beautiful women have pursued me, throwing themselves at me, but I always rejected them, delaying any advancements. So, you owe me too!" Lun Hui argued.

Rhythm Nolan listened to Lun Hui's nonsense without paying much attention. Will beautiful women really throw themselves at him? Such matters were not found anywhere in Rhythm Nolan's thick stack of reports. On the contrary, her "fiancé" was classified as one of the unwanted boys.

"But didn't you say we settled things before?" Lun Hui questioned.

"Didn't you say it was about Night's matter?" Rhythm Nolan countered.

"That was only in regards to me. But for you, it encompasses everything."

"You're just being unreasonable."

"Because I'm a woman."

Lun Hui became frustrated. If it wasn't for the white martial robe and the purple medal in front of this woman, he would have forgotten that she was the famous Royal Knight Commander, standing at the peak of martial artists!

"So, what do you want me to do?" Lun Hui surrendered, believing that a true man shouldn't argue with a woman. However, even in the world of the Liu Jing continent, there wasn't a bias towards favoring males over females, especially with the spread of magic and martial arts. Many talented women were now able to stand at the pinnacle of experts. Just looking at the institution of marriage itself, without even considering the freedom to love, polygamy and polyandry were legally permitted. The difference was due to the differing values of women, with the former being more common.

"Let's get married then," Rhythm said.

Lun Hui choked. Everything went back to square one.

"What's your play? Just state your final decision," Lun Hui naturally didn't believe this marriage would actually happen, so he quickly asked for the other party's demands.

"Of course, we won't truly get married. What I mean is that on the surface, we will be husband and wife. I also acknowledge the legitimacy of you being my husband. First, because you have been my 'fiancé' for so many years, and not allowing you to become official has always made me uncomfortable. And secondly, I don't want to go against my father's decision. Certainly, I don't dislike you either."

"Not disliking someone can't be a reason for marriage."

"That's why, during the time of our marriage, we can seek our own relationships outside and not interfere with each other. Both sides will have a high level of freedom. Of course, I don't oppose the idea of improving our 'marriage' relationship with you. If we can continue without divorce, my parents would also be happy."Lun Hui could tell that this was the rumored fake couple.

The proposal was quite intriguing. On one hand, it could fulfill the agreement set by both elders, but it did not restrict their freedom. Perhaps they could just make do with it. But then another problem arose. Maybe Rhythm Nolan already had someone she liked or a boyfriend, and she intentionally made this agreement as a back-up plan. That wouldn't be fair.

But this woman was so shrewd, how could she not know what Lun Hui was thinking? She immediately said with some displeasure, "Lun Hui, don't overthink it. I've been pure for you for these past few years, I won't plot against you."

In reality, Rhythm Nolan didn't tell the other party that she was still inexperienced in love. In other words, she was also an emotional fool.

"Alright, deal."

Lun Hui no longer hesitated, extending his big hand to shake Rhythm Nolan's delicate little hand.

Seeing that the deal was done, Rhythm Nolan smiled faintly, almost stunning the man in front of her. This was not good. This expression couldn't be casually displayed in public, otherwise it would cause trouble.

"By the way, Lun Hui."

Unknowingly, the car actually stopped, but when Lun Hui glanced outside the window, it wasn't near their homes.

"When you were a child, you liked pinching people's cheeks a lot," Rhythm Nolan said teasingly.

"That was only Night and Smile. I don't have that habit anymore. Night and Smile had chubby little faces, pinching them felt good," Lun Hui shrugged and spoke.

Rhythm Nolan tapped the driver's window and Uncle Quan reluctantly opened the car door. "This place isn't too far from your house, about five kilometers. Consider it a stroll."

"This is acceptable!?" Lun Hui was stunned. "You're punishing me!"

"It could be seen that way."

Rhythm Nolan replied calmly, then with determination, she forcefully pushed out the dying Quan Zan from the luxury car.

"You once pinched me too when we were children..."

After saying that, the luxury car disappeared into the night, leaving Lun Hui alone on the street, feeling helpless and amused.