C24 I Have a Husband

The room went deathly silent at his words, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes were on Lin Xuan, looking at him as if he were a fool.

Pei Qiusha's face contorted with anger as she spat out, "You dare call me a slut?"

Lin Xuan responded coolly, "Don't you see yourself as one? Clearly, you lack self-awareness."

His words sent a shockwave through the crowd.

"Has this man lost his mind? He's spewing madness and has the audacity to insult the general's wife?"

"He must be sick of living! Who does he think he is to insult the general's wife? The Nine-star General could squash him like it's nothing!"

It was then that Ye Lingtian, from the stage, declared with clarity, "This gentleman speaks the truth!"

At once, all present fell silent, their eyes glued to Ye Lingtian.

He went on, "The Nine-star General seeks a wife of talent and virtue, one who is gentle, kind, elegant in speech, and both beautiful and wise."

"And yet, you lose your temper over trifles. Where is your dignity? How can you even claim to be the general's wife?"

"Ah? This..."

Pei Qiusha was rendered speechless.

In a frenzy, Pei Jinzheng blurted out, "By what right do you criticize? A mere five-star God of War, still beneath the Nine-star General? You think you're fit to lecture the general's wife? Did Liang Jingru embolden you? I demand you apologize to my sister this instant, or I'll have the Nine-star General strip you of your rank!"

Ye Lingtian's expression turned steely as he commanded, "Slap him!"

Several soldiers seized Pei Jinzheng, delivering sharp slaps to his face.

While striking, one soldier bellowed, "You insolent fool, daring to strut before the God of War? Don't you know he could reduce you to dust with a single word?"

Ye Lingtian straightened his collar and said with a detached air, "As a five-star God of War, I am a general of this nation's arsenal. Each scar I bear was forged in the fires of combat, and every medal on my chest was earned through valor on the battlefield!"

"What right do you have to boss me around like some insignificant ant?" Pei Jinzheng's face was swollen to resemble a pig's head, leaving him utterly stupefied! Pei Qiusha was frozen in shock! Every business mogul in attendance was paralyzed with disbelief!

Sun Lanping, her heart aching, wrapped her arms around Pei Jinzheng and scolded fiercely, "He's the brother-in-law of the Nine-star General. Do you dare to strike him without fearing the General's retribution?" "Mom, it hurts so much..." Pei Jinzheng sobbed.

"Enough with your babbling!" Pei Qiusha snapped coldly. "Regardless, I'm the one the Nine-star General is set to marry. As the officiant, you'd better announce the commencement of the wedding ceremony, and do it now!" "I demand to see my husband!"

"Will you just be quiet!" Ye Lingtian barked. "I've already told you, why would the Nine-star General ever marry someone like you? Question my words one more time, and you'll share his fate!" He gestured pointedly at Pei Jinzheng.

With those words hanging in the air, Pei Qiusha's world crumbled. Sun Lanping, Pei Jiang, and the entire family slumped in their chairs, their faces the color of death. Pei Jinzheng was on the verge of tears; he had been parading around in a sixteen-million Pagani, a bridal gift from the Nine-star General to his wife.

If Pei Qiusha wasn't the General's wife, he was in deep trouble. He had accepted numerous lavish gifts and signed several lucrative contracts under the pretense of being the General's brother-in-law. The money he had collected was already squandered.

If these tycoons came to collect, he'd be bankrupt, even if he sold himself! Old Lady Pei's face was a tapestry of emotions. If the General's wife turned out not to be Pei Qiusha, she had made a grave miscalculation. Her previous treatment of Pei Qiuyu's family was so harsh that even an apology might not mend fences.

"Fantastic!" In the midst of the turmoil, Lee Moxiang was elated, jumping for joy.

"Have you heard? The woman the Nine-star General is set to marry isn't Pei Qiusha—it's my own Pei Qiuyu! It's our family that's on the rise! Hahahaha!"

Lee Moxiang and her husband Pei Qiang embraced each other, overcome with emotion, tears streaming down their faces.

Mixed feelings rippled through everyone gathered.

Only Pei Qiuyu remained silent, her expression vacant, still in a daze from the revelation.

"The Nine-star General wants to marry me?"

Lin Xuan held her hand tenderly. "Only you are worthy of being the general's wife. You deserve all this beauty and happiness."

"Me?"

Pei Qiuyu was at a loss.

Just then, Ye Lingtian's voice boomed from the stage: "Now, let's give a round of thunderous applause to congratulate the groom, the Nine-star General, and the bride, Miss Pei Qiuyu, on their joyous union!"

"The wedding of the century will take place following the sealing ceremony! Miss Pei Qiuyu, please make your way to the VIP room to change into your wedding gown."

The applause erupted, filling the hall with a resounding ovation.

The VIPs buzzed with excitement:

"I'm about to witness the Nine-star General in person!"

"In my lifetime! Seeing the Nine-star General is a blessing I've cultivated over eight lifetimes!"

"If I could just shake hands with the Nine-star General, I could go a year without washing them!"

"I'll have bragging rights for life!"

...

All eyes were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Nine-star General.

Unable to contain her excitement, Lee Moxiang nudged Pei Qiuyu toward the stage. "Now our family can truly stand tall! Get up there and make them green with envy!"

Lin Xuan added with a grin, "Exactly, my dear. Go change into your wedding dress. You'll be on stage in no time."

Pei Qiuyu turned to him, her question earnest, "Do you really want me to marry the Nine-star General?"

Lin Xuan nodded with a smile, "Absolutely, I couldn't be happier."

"Lin Xuan, you..." Pei Qiuyu's anger made her chest rise and fall with emotion.

Which husband would ever wish for his wife to marry another man?

"Please welcome Miss Pei Qiuyu to the stage."

At that moment, over ten elegantly poised beauties in qipaos gracefully ascended the stage, each cradling a delicate wedding gown in their arms.

There were more than a dozen gowns for Pei Qiuyu to select from.

The influential figures in attendance were all eagerly prompting Pei Qiuyu to step up to the stage.

With tears brimming in her eyes, Pei Qiuyu made her way onto the stage.

The crowd burst into a fervent applause, but she alone seemed visibly disheartened.

Pei Qiuyu grasped the microphone and began, "First and foremost, I owe everyone an apology!"

Her statement left the audience momentarily taken aback.

She then surveyed the room and proclaimed, "Nine-star General, I'm not sure if you can hear my words from here."

"I am immensely thankful for the grand surprise you've bestowed upon me. However, I am already married, and my husband is wonderful to me."

"I have no desire to forsake my husband for riches and glory. I simply wish to live a humble life with him, growing old together. If this offends you, I can only offer my sincerest apologies."

"Lastly, I hope you can grant us your blessing, Nine-star General. Thank you."

With that, she bowed deeply.

A hush fell over the entire venue!

All eyes turned to Pei Qiuyu, filled with astonishment, skepticism, and sheer incredulity.

Had she truly just turned down the Nine-star General in front of everyone?