An Ill Omen

Huang Yunchong's voice had only just fallen, when an old servant had already stepped forward, holding a Jade Box in both hands, and offered it over.

"Honored guests, inside this box is a pair of Nine Leaves King Ginseng. It is a gift from my master to Su Yi and his wife. Please accept it on their behalf."

Nine Leaves King Ginseng!

Everyone inside the great hall was utterly unable to remain calm.

Many important figures felt their hearts shake, and the look in their eyes changed.

This was a true "spiritual medicine," rare and precious, of astonishing value, something that simply could not be bought on the ordinary market!

A lavish move. An absolutely lavish move!

Who could have imagined that the dignified patriarch of the Huang Family, besides coming to offer birthday felicitations, would personally present such a great gift to Wen Changtai's family, the least valued branch of the Wen Family's main line?

Even Wen Changjing and Wen Changqing were somewhat startled and uncertain, unable to figure out what Huang Yunchong was thinking.

Wen Changtai and Qin Qing could no longer sit still. They hurriedly rose to their feet in a fluster, overwhelmed by the favor.

"M-many thanks..."

Wen Changtai hastily cupped his hands, his voice somewhat stammering. He had always been an honest, dutiful man; when had he ever experienced a scene like this?

Huang Yunchong smiled and said, "Brother, you have a good daughter, and a good son-in-law too!"

He bit down especially hard on the words son-in-law, carrying a subtle emotion.

Wen Changtai was Greatly Relieved, his face piled with smiles.

To be praised by the master of the Huang Family made even his own face shine.

"You mean this pair of Nine Leaves King Ginseng was prepared for Ling Zhao?"

At this moment, Qin Qing seemed still unable to believe it, and could not help speaking up to confirm.

Huang Yunchong glanced at the old servant beside him, and the latter hurriedly explained, "Madam, this gift was prepared for both your daughter and your son-in-law."

Qin Qing immediately beamed with joy. To her, whether it had been prepared for her daughter or her son-in-law, it was all the same!

What made her feel most delighted was that previously, the table she and Wen Changtai sat at had been utterly cold and cheerless, with no one paying them any mind.

But now, with Huang Yunchong's arrival, not only had he greeted them, he had even presented a special great gift, making them the focus of the entire room all at once!

That feeling was undoubtedly far too satisfying!

"Ling Zhao, that girl, really is becoming more and more accomplished. Even though she didn't come back, she still forced a great deal of face onto her old mother!" Qin Qing thought inwardly, delighted.

Huang Yunchong said no more. He had already made his meaning clear enough. As for whether Wen Changtai and his wife could understand it, that was their business.

And when he thought that he had finally delivered this "gift," which had originally been meant as an apology to Su Yi, Huang Yunchong felt much more at ease as well.

"Su Yi may not care about such a small gift, but he will surely be able to feel the sincerity of my Huang Family lowering our heads and apologizing. That should be enough..."

Huang Yunchong said inwardly.

"Brother Huang, please take a seat."

Wen Changjing walked over with a smile and invited Huang Yunchong again.

This time, Huang Yunchong did not decline. Only, before taking his seat, he said to Huang Qianjun beside him, "Go sit outside."

Huang Qianjun was stunned, then seemed to understand. He hurriedly turned and walked out of the Clan Hall.

He did not look anywhere else at all. Bracing himself, he went straight to Su Yi's table and said in a low, embarrassed voice, "Su..."

Su Yi glanced at this youth who had once been spoiled, arrogant, and domineering, but now had become meek and obedient before him, and casually said, "Today you're a guest, and I'm not the master of this place. Sit wherever you like."

As if relieved of a heavy burden, Huang Qianjun hurriedly and carefully took a seat.

Wen Lingxue's dark brows furrowed, somewhat puzzled. She kept feeling that Huang Qianjun was a little different today. Like a thief with a guilty conscience, he seemed incomparably docile and honest.

Was this still that arrogant and vicious silkpants?

The others in the nearby area were also dazzled for a while, looking at one another. What exactly was going on today?

Even Wen Shaobei and the other younger-generation disciples of the Wen Family could see that something was off, each of their faces filled with doubt.

Su Yi, this unvalued son-in-law, drank on his own, while Huang Qianjun, this silkpants renowned throughout Guangling City, sat there restrained and honest.

That scene appeared especially eye-catching.

But no one explained it to them.

Su Yi would not say anything.

Huang Qianjun naturally would be even less likely to expose his own disgrace.

For a time, the atmosphere in the nearby area took on a faintly strange flavor.

Before long, another roll call rang out from afar:

"Li Family patriarch Li Tianhan has come to offer birthday felicitations!"

Boom!

The whole hall erupted in an uproar, and many people could no longer sit still.

The Li Family was Guangling City's foremost clan. Its current patriarch, Li Tianhan, had connections that reached the heavens and formidable methods, and he had dealings with many powerful clans and great families in Cloud River County.

But everyone in Guangling City knew the Li Family and the Wen Family did not get along!

Especially in recent years, as the Wen clan's power declined, the Li Family had long since begun eyeing them like a tiger watching its prey, repeatedly attempting to swallow up some of the businesses controlled by the Wen Family.

It could be said that relations between the two families had long since been stretched taut to the extreme. Even if they could not be called deep water and scorching fire, they were still in a state of mutual hostility.

Yet now, Li Tianhan, patriarch of the Li Family, had appeared at the Wen Family Old Madam's Longevity Banquet!

Had he come to offer birthday felicitations?

Or did he have some other scheme?

As everyone was startled and doubtful, a middle-aged man in a dark blue robe, his figure ramrod-straight and lean, walked over from afar.

His eyes were like cold lightning, and he moved with the stride of a dragon and the pace of a tiger. In every gesture, he carried an invisible, oppressive might of his own. Along the way, no one dared utter a word; they were as silent as cicadas in winter.

This man was Li Tianhan!

A formidable, heroic figure who had once been renowned throughout Guangling City.

Behind him followed an Embroidered Robe Youth, handsome in appearance, a sword scabbard at his waist, his features bearing three-tenths similarity to Li Tianhan's.

Li Moyun!

Li Tianhan's eldest son, an Inner Disciple East Courtyard Disciple of Green River Sword Mansion, a standout figure among Guangling City's younger generation.

"When did this fellow come back?"

The expressions of Wen Shaobei and the other Wen Family youths all changed.

To this generation of young people in Guangling City, Li Moyun was like a great mountain, pressing down on all his peers until they could not lift their heads. He could be called a lone branch in full bloom!

Compared to Li Moyun, although Wen Jueyuan, son of Wen Changjing, was likewise extremely outstanding, when it came to reputation, he was still slightly inferior.

"Brother Li, you have graced us with your presence. Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar."

Wen Changjing had also been alarmed and came out to receive him, though his expression carried a chill, nowhere near as warm as when he had greeted Huang Yunchong.

"Today is Old Madam's birthday celebration, and the Wen Family is full of honored guests. How could it be without me, Li? Ah, right, I came uninvited. Brother Wen, you do not blame me, do you?"

Li Tianhan spoke indifferently.

Expressionless, Wen Changjing said, "I wouldn't dare. Anyone who comes is a guest. Please enter the hall for a talk."

Li Tianhan nodded.

At this moment, Li Moyun suddenly spoke. "Father, wait a moment."

As he spoke, under everyone's watchful eyes, he walked straight to a wine table off to one side, came up beside Su Yi, and said, "Junior Brother Su, it's been a long time."

He looked down from above, staring at Su Yi, his eyes full of playful interest.

"Something you need?"

Su Yi did not even bother to stand, asking casually.

Back then at Green River Sword Mansion, he had been the Outer Disciple Sword Leader, while Li Moyun had been an Inner Disciple East Courtyard Disciple. In identity, cultivation, and status, Li Moyun had been a head above him.

However, back then, there had not been much interaction between them.

Li Moyun gazed at Su Yi for a moment, then said seriously, "I only wanted to tell you that someone like you is not worthy of Miss Lingzhao at all!"

After dropping those words, he turned and returned, then headed into the Clan Hall together with his father, Li Tianhan.

From beginning to end, he did not look at Su Yi again.

That indifferent, proud, and disdainful bearing was revealed to the fullest in those careless movements.

The expressions of everyone nearby became strange.

Today, Su Yi had simply stolen all the limelight!

First, when Huang Yunchong, patriarch of the Huang Family, arrived, he had taken the initiative to go up and greet him.

Now Li Moyun, this leader among the younger generation, had also taken the initiative to step forward, yet had bluntly said Su Yi was unworthy of Wen Lingzhao!

No matter which incident it was, it had drawn more than enough attention.

Of course, this limelight was extremely controversial.

As for this, Su Yi did not care in the slightest.

Originally, he had not planned to attend this Longevity Banquet at all. If he had not wanted to see the Wen Family Old Madam and ask about what had happened back then, he would have long since risen and left.

"This fellow is really too hateful!"

Off to the side, Wen Lingxue said in a huff.

"He's probably the same as Wei Zhengyang, harboring improper thoughts about your elder sister."

Su Yi said indifferently.

"Brother Su... Brother Su truly foresees things like a god!"

Huang Qianjun, who had been sitting there honestly all along, spoke cautiously. "As far as I know, that fellow Li Moyun became infatuated with Miss Lingzhao many years ago, and even stated many times that in this life, he would marry no one but Miss Lingzhao..."

At this point, he secretly checked Su Yi's expression. Seeing that the latter wasn't angry, he finally mustered his courage and continued, "But how could he compare to Brother Su? Just for what he said earlier, he deserves to have his mouth slapped hard!"

Su Yi glanced at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Are you trying to egg me on into dealing with that fellow?"

Huang Qianjun went rigid from head to toe, cold sweat pouring out of him. He hurriedly waved his hands. "Don't misunderstand, Brother Su. I just think what that fellow said was far too vicious. It made even me furious!"

After witnessing Su Yi's methods yesterday at the Gathering Immortals Pavilion, he both respected and feared Su Yi to the extreme. He was in an even sorrier state than a mouse before a cat—how would he dare harbor any other crooked thoughts?

Su Yi said nothing, but inwardly, he couldn't help feeling somewhat strange.

Whether it was Wei Zhengyang or Li Moyun, both were deeply devoted to Wen Lingzhao. This undoubtedly set off Wen Lingzhao's extraordinary charm.

But at the same time, it let Su Yi smell a few hidden risks. If one of these two fellows put a green hat on him, how could he tolerate that?

A husband and wife in name were still husband and wife!

Su Yi didn't want to bear the rotten reputation of wearing a green hat while cultivating anew in this life!

"I'll find an opportunity in the future to sever the husband-and-wife relationship with Wen Lingzhao completely. That way, I won't have to worry about this sort of situation happening again..."

Su Yi pondered, "And before that, I have to find a chance to make Wei Zhengyang and Li Moyun give up their ideas. If that still doesn't work, then at worst, I'll just kill them!"

At the same time, inside the Clan Hall.

After presenting the birthday gift, Li Tianhan swept his gaze around before it finally landed on Wen Changjing. "This Li came here not only to offer birthday wishes, but also for two other matters."

As soon as these words rang out, the noble figures throughout the hall all revealed expressions of "just as expected," as if they had long since guessed that Li Tianhan had come with other intentions.

Wen Changjing's heart sank, and his eyes narrowed. "Brother Li, is there anything that can't wait until the Longevity Banquet is over? Besides, many honored guests are still going to arrive shortly. This Wen doesn't have much time to discuss matters with Brother Li."

Li Tianhan immediately laughed and said leisurely, "Honored guests? With the Wen Family in its current state, could Brother Wen still think the City Lord himself will deign to come in person? As far as I know, Wen Changqing went to the City Lord's Mansion several times a few days ago, but he was refused entry every time!"

His words carried a faint disdain and mockery.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned incomparably silent, oppressive to the extreme.

At this point, even the most dull-eyed person could see that Li Tianhan had not come with good intentions!