Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 296 To make her fall in love, make her laugh!

Bai Zihanʼs grin widened, a flash of teeth glinting beneath the pale glow of the jade lanterns.

Since Father gave him such an important mission, he need to make sure to take it seriously. ”Tell me,” he said suddenly, his voice smooth yet carrying a strange weight, ”do you know what qualities one must have to become my sisterʼs husband?”

The question hung in the air. Then one after another spoke out in eagerness, desperate to answer correctly. ”Good cultivation, of course! Strength to match her status!” ”Fame-without matching the fame of Fairy Bai Xueqing, how can one be shameless enough to claim her?” ”Background! Only a family with enough prestige can stand beside her.” ”It must be appearance! Otherwise, how can one make a good couple with Bai Xueqing, hailed as the Number One Beauty?”

Their answers tumbled out in rapid succession, each trying to sound more certain than the last.

But Bai Zihan shook his head, his expression that of a teacher disappointed with slow students. ”No! None of that matters.”

A wave of confusion hit them again.

What could be more important than the things they had listed? Surely at least one answer had to be correct, they thought. ”You all got it wrong. The true answer,” Bai Zihan said, his voice dropping to a soft, cutting drawl, ”is this: someone who can make her laugh.” ”Make her laugh?” ”Well, it does make some sense!” ”If it is her brother speaking, then it must be true.”

Many discussed Bai Zihanʼs words. The more they thought about it, the more it seemed reasonable.

After all, Bai Xueqing was already unmatched in cultivation talent, strength, background, fame, and beauty.

There was no one here who could surpass her in those things.

Others even felt a bit relieved. If it truly came down to something as simple as making her laugh, then perhaps they still had a chance.

Luo Qing stood behind Bai Zihan, not knowing how to react to her Young Master doing whatever he wanted and it is for deciding Bai Xueqing marriage. (Donʼt let Miss find out, otherwise Young Master would suffer again!)

Bai Zihanʼs grin sharpened as the murmurs buzzed among the guests. His voice rang out once more. ”Now then-since you are all so eager to prove yourselves... let us see if you truly possess this ʼtalent.”

His gaze swept across them, and the smirk on his lips deepened. ”To determine whether you can bring even a flicker of joy to my sisterʼs life, we shall hold a contest.”

He raised his hand, his finger tapping against his palm as if sealing the decree. ”Anyone who can make me laugh... shall be considered to have passed the first stage toward Bai Xueqingʼs hand in marriage.”

The words fell like a boulder into the courtyard pond. ”What? Make him laugh?” ”This... is the test?” ”Surely, heʼs not serious...”

Murmurs burst like scattered sparks-some incredulous, others nervous, while a few even looked faintly hopeful.

A group of younger heirs brightened with excitement, whispering to each other.

If this is truly the test, then maybe we have a chance! Itʼs not about cultivation, fame, or wealth... Itʼs about wit!

But not all shared that eagerness.

The face of Yu Wenzhao-the Third Prince of the Empire-darkened visibly. His proud bearing stiffened as if he had been insulted.

He took a step forward, voice heavy with displeasure. ”Bai Zihan,” the prince said, every word weighed with authority, ”I am a prince of the Desolate Heaven Empire. Must someone of my standing truly stoop to such a farce? A person like me should be considered qualified regardless.”

There were murmurs of support from other candidates with profound backgrounds, who likewise considered such a contest insulting.

The air tightened. Many looked between the Third Prince and Bai Zihan, wondering if a clash would erupt.

Surely, a person of the Third Prince standing wouldnʼt foolish go along with what Bai Zihanʼs wants, right?

And they didnʼt think Bai Zihan would also make someone like the Third Prince go through something like this.

Bai Zihan, however, merely widened his grin. His eyes lit up with mockery as he folded his hands behind his back. ”Oh? Itʼs Your Highness!”

He said warmly, as though greeting an old friend. ”I didnʼt know his highness was also interested in my sister. She sure is lucky!”

Bai Zihanʼs words of praise eased the Third Princeʼs pride, making him feel that at least Bai Zihan still knew his place-and that there was no need for him to lower himself by playing along with such a game. ”But I cannot play favorites. Rules are rules. If Your Highness finds this contest beneath you, then you may opt out. No one is forcing you.”

The courtyard fell still.

In the end, Bai Zihan still gave no face to the Third Prince.

Bai Zihan tilted his head slightly, his gaze like a knife sliding over the princeʼs pride. ”Only those truly serious about pursuing Bai Xueqing will remain here. If one cannot even endure a little test such as this...”

He let his words trail off, a soft chuckle escaping him. ”...then how could they endure her?”

Luo Qing was left speechless. Bai Zihan made it sound as though dealing with Bai Xueqing was harder than dealing with him-when in reality, it was the opposite.

While Bai Xueqing was difficult to approach, at least she was always calm and polite. Bai Zihan, on the other hand... Well, how he treated you depended entirely on his mood that day.

But of course, Bai Zihan was speaking from his own experience and bias. He believed he was easier to get along with, while his sister was the difficult one- typical sibling thing.

Anyways, the implication was clear-withdraw if you want but you will no longer be qualified to marry Bai Xueqing.

Third Prince Wenzhao was clearly furious, but he had to think of the implications.

If he could win Bai Xueqingʼs hand, the throne itself would be within reach.

Not to mention, Bai Xueqing, in every aspect, was perfect. She was the kind of wife no man could ever be dissatisfied with.

Even without the throne, she was worth the struggle.

But of course, he had his dignity. He could not simply lower himself to the level of fools playing such games.

The same thought crossed the minds of others whose pride was just as high. ”Hmph! Bai Zihan, I donʼt want to play your games.”

The Third Prince declared coldly before leaving the group and walking over to where the other guests were watching. ”Same here!” ”Me too! Does he think Iʼll just do whatever he says?”

One by one, those with lofty pride-those who believed themselves above such games and thought they deserved Bai Xueqing-stepped away.

But others remained. To them, this might be a rare chance, a real shot at winning Bai Xueqingʼs hand.

Competing normally, they had no chance, but with Bai Zihanʼs strange contest... perhaps, just perhaps, they did.

Bai Zihan didnʼt mind. They didnʼt look like they could make a dog laugh, much less him. ”Well,” he declared, his voice carrying like a command, ”now that only those who truly wish to marry my sister remain, let us begin the competition!”