A Cold Glance, and Smoke Dissipates

Wen Changjing's expression darkened.

Today was the Old Madam's eightieth birthday, with guests gathered from every direction, and everyone inside and outside Guangling City was paying attention.

At a time like this, anything that happened would spread through the outside world in the shortest possible time.

And Li Tianhan had come here ostensibly to offer birthday wishes, but in truth, he harbored ill intentions!

The Wen Family's Old Madam, the Second Elder Wen Changqing, and the other important figures of the Wen Family all realized something was wrong as well, their expressions uglier than the next.

Li Tianhan seemed very satisfied with this effect and said calmly, "Everyone, rest assured. Once these two minor matters are settled, I, Li, will leave at once and absolutely won't disturb your refined enjoyment."

Without giving Wen Changjing and the others any chance to speak, Li Tianhan had already continued:

"The first matter: I, Li, said some time ago that with the Wen Family's current foundations, you no longer have the strength to monopolize the Medicinal Herb Business in Guangling City. Today, you must hand over half of the share!"

"Half the share? You, Li Tianhan, must have gone mad!"

Blue veins bulged on Wen Changjing's forehead, and he was so furious he nearly jumped on the spot.

The important figures of the Wen Family were also visibly enraged.

The Wen Family's greatest source of wealth lay in the Medicinal Herb Business; it was the root on which their clan had been founded.

Li Tianhan had opened his lion's mouth wide, wanting to swallow half of their Medicinal Herb Business in one bite. This was practically the same as demanding the lives of the Wen Family!

All the important figures present sucked in cold breaths, their hearts trembling. The Li Family was truly ruthless enough!

Li Tianhan said indifferently, "Brother Wen, you've misunderstood. I already discussed this with Brother Huang Yunchong before. Of the half of the Medicinal Herb Business that the Wen Family gives up, my Li Family will take thirty percent, and the Huang Family twenty percent. If your Wen Family disagrees, then don't blame our two families for being impolite."

As realization dawned on everyone, their hearts could not help but palpitate. They realized that Li Tianhan's move was to use the power of both the Li and Huang families to force the Wen Family to bow their heads!

Under such circumstances, if the Wen Family refused, endless future troubles were inevitable.

After all, with the Wen Family's current foundation and power, they simply could not contend against the other two families.

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the others had clearly realized this as well. Their hearts chilled, and they all felt somewhat at a loss.

"Brother Huang is also present. If everyone doesn't believe me, you can ask Brother Huang directly."

As Li Tianhan spoke, his gaze had already turned to Huang Yunchong, who was seated nearby.

"Brother Huang, is that true?"

Wen Changjing said in a deep voice.

The gazes of everyone present all turned in unison to Huang Yunchong.

But Huang Yunchong's expression shifted repeatedly, until at last, as if he had made a decision, he abruptly stood and said gravely, "I didn't. Don't spout nonsense. There's no such thing!"

Three consecutive denials.

The whole hall was stunned, and everyone was a little confused. This... what was going on?

Wen Changjing and the others, however, looked delighted. It seemed Li Tianhan had not truly formed an alliance with Huang Yunchong!

"Brother Huang, what do you mean by this? Have you forgotten our previous agreement?"

Li Tianhan's expression changed slightly, somewhat caught off guard.

"What agreement? It was only a joke. Who would've thought you actually took it seriously?"

Huang Yunchong drew in a deep breath and said expressionlessly, "Brother Li, instead, I must remind you: today is the Longevity Banquet of the Wen Family's Old Madam. You'd best restrain yourself!"

"You..."

Li Tianhan's expression sank.

However, he had weathered many storms after all, and keenly sensed that something about the situation was abnormal. That old thing Huang Yunchong had actually turned traitor at this critical juncture. Could some accident have happened, making that fellow surnamed Huang not dare to get involved?

"Brother Li, now what else do you have to say?"

Wen Changjing snorted coldly, his heart finally easing a great deal. Without the Huang Family taking part, they only had to resist one Li Family; he still had some confidence in that.

Li Tianhan soon steadied himself and said expressionlessly, "Forget it. We won't discuss this matter for the time being. Let's speak of the second matter."

The hearts of everyone in the hall tightened again. The first matter had already made the atmosphere so drawn-bow-and-drawn-sword tense; just how frightening would this second matter be?

Then they saw Li Tianhan say to Li Moyun beside him, "Moyun, you speak."

Li Moyun stepped forward, swept his gaze around, and said loudly, "I have heard that Su Yi and Miss Ling Zhao are only husband and wife in name, and that Miss Ling Zhao loathes Su Yi to the bone. Therefore, I hope that the elders of the Wen Family can dissolve this marriage and return Miss Ling Zhao her freedom!"

One stone stirred up a thousand layers of waves, and the entire hall erupted in uproar.

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the other important figures of the Wen Family were all astonished as well.

Who could have imagined that the second matter Li Tianhan had come for was actually to meddle in the marriage of Su Yi and his wife?

"This..."

Not far away, Wen Changtai and Qin Qing exchanged a glance, both somewhat dazed, and also feeling a sense of déjà vu.

Because seven days ago, Wei Zhengyang from the Wei Clan of Cloud River County had also said something similar, and had also come for their daughter!

Only, even if they had cracked their heads open, they never would have imagined that their daughter, already married, would still be so in demand...

At the same time, outside the main hall.

As Li Moyun's words fell, countless teasing and strange gazes all landed on Su Yi.

What had happened inside the Clan Hall had likewise been heard by everyone outside the hall, and all of them were incomparably shocked. None had expected Li Moyun to actually make such a demand!

Many people even had a premonition that Su Yi, this son-in-law, might very likely be driven out today!

After all, this time the head of the Li Family had come in person. How could the Wen Family make things difficult with the Li Family over such a trivial matter?

"Damn it!"

Wen Lingxue was so angry her almond eyes went round.

"That guy is courting death!"

Huang Qianjun, however, began to sneer, even carrying a hint of gloating in his eyes.

He made as if to glance over casually, and saw Su Yi beside him frown slightly!

That made Huang Qianjun realize that a Good Show was about to begin!

"This..."

At that moment, inside the Clan Hall, Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the others were all very hesitant, their gazes turning in unison toward the Wen Family's Old Madam.

Back then, Su Yi and Wen Lingzhao's marriage had been decided by the Old Madam single-handedly, without the slightest regard for the objections of the rest of the Wen Family.

If not for that, Wen Changjing and the others would have driven Su Yi out of the house long ago!

And noticing that everyone's gazes had turned to her, the Old Madam realized it was time for her to state her position.

She took a deep breath and said, enunciating each word, "No matter who comes, this marriage cannot be dissolved!"

Her words were like chopping nails and severing iron, leaving no room for retreat!

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the others' hearts sank. They were all very puzzled, unable to understand why, even at a time like this, the Old Madam still insisted on preserving this marriage.

Even Qin Qing was somewhat anxious. From the very beginning, she had opposed this marriage the most, and she had thought countless times of driving Su Yi away.

And right now, without question, was a wonderful opportunity.

Yet the Old Madam just had to refuse!

Li Moyun frowned, feeling rather uncomfortable, and turned his gaze toward his father, Li Tianhan.

But before Li Tianhan could speak, Huang Yunchong had already let out a long sigh and said:

"An outsider, yet you want to meddle in someone else's marriage. Nephew Moyun, this old man advises you: change your mind while it's still early!"

Li Tianhan's pupils contracted. "Brother Huang, what do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean?"

Huang Yunchong looked around at everyone, then said in a deep voice, "Then I'll say one more thing. Stop letting your son set his sights on Wen Lingzhao. Otherwise, a great calamity will surely befall you!"

Li Tianhan's expression changed slightly.

Everyone else present was completely confused. This was clearly a matter between the Li Family and the Wen Family, yet Huang Yunchong, as the head of the Huang Family, had actually taken the initiative to get involved.

Naturally, this left people baffled.

Li Moyun grew annoyed, a haze appearing on his handsome cheeks as he said, "Uncle Huang, you don't mean to say that I can't even compare to that Su Yi, do you?"

Huang Yunchong's eyes were full of pity, and he shook his head. "This is what's called bringing humiliation upon yourself."

Bringing humiliation upon yourself!

Those few words made everyone freeze. They almost thought they had heard wrong.

What kind of person was Li Moyun? He was a leading figure among Guangling City's younger generation, a Green River Sword Mansion Inner Disciple. With such a status, could he still not compare to a cripple who had lost all his cultivation?

"Brother Huang, why do you seem like a different person today? Not only are you making things difficult for me at every turn, you even want to interfere in my son's affairs!"

A chill surfaced in Li Tianhan's eyes, and inwardly, he was furious.

He had originally come to make trouble for the Wen Family. Who would have thought Huang Yunchong would ruin things for him again and again?

Just as Huang Yunchong was about to say something, a deep, powerful voice rang out from outside the hall:

"Brother Huang is right. Once certain things are done, it's no different from inviting fire onto your own body!"

Along with the voice, the tall, imposing figure of Nie Beihu, City Lord's Mansion Guard Commander, had already strode in.

The entire crowd shook. Everyone present was somewhat stunned, unable to see through the situation before their eyes.

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the others were the same. They had never imagined that Nie Beihu, City Lord's Mansion Guard Commander, would take the initiative to come here.

What was especially strange was that as soon as Nie Beihu arrived, he directly aimed his spearhead at Li Tianhan and his son!

"Nie Beihu, what do you mean by that?"

Li Tianhan was clearly caught somewhat off guard as well. His expression instantly became exceptionally gloomy, and he also sensed that today's situation was very wrong.

Huang Yunchong's behavior today was very wrong, and even Nie Beihu, who had just arrived, seemed very abnormal!

In the past, how would they ever have dared treat him like this?

But before Li Tianhan could react, another voice rang out from outside the hall:

"What Commander Nie means is that today is the Wen Family Old Madam's birthday. You and your son had best leave at once, so you don't spoil everyone's mood!"

Outside the hall, a commotion broke out, with cries of shock rising one after another.

Then, under one incredulous stare after another, a middle-aged man in a wide-sleeved Confucian robe walked into the hall.

"Lord Fu!"

The moment he recognized the newcomer, Wen Changjing was simply overjoyed, and he hurried forward to welcome him.

"Greetings, Lord Fu."

"Lord Fu came too?"

...At that moment, the entire hall was shocked. The noble and important figures present all rose to their feet, each of them anxious and respectful, greeting him with smiling faces.

The newcomer was none other than Fu Shan, City Lord of Guangling City!

"Lord Fu... you... why have you come?"

Li Tianhan, meanwhile, was rather dumbfounded. He could no longer remain calm, and his heart churned.

He had long since heard that Fu Shan had no intention whatsoever of attending the Wen Family's Longevity Banquet, but who would have thought that Fu Shan would arrive precisely at this critical juncture?

"I came, naturally, to offer Old Madam Wen birthday congratulations."

Fu Shan spoke calmly. As he did, he had already taken a jewelry box from his sleeve and, smiling, handed it to the old madam seated at the head of the hall. "This is a small token of my regard."

The old madam smiled so widely she could not close her mouth, thanking him repeatedly.

Only then did Fu Shan turn around and look at Li Tianhan, his expression cold. "Brother Li, I made myself quite clear just now. I advise you not to persist in your folly. Hurry and take your son away."

Li Tianhan's face stiffened.

His gaze swept over Huang Yunchong, Nie Beihu, and Fu Shan one by one, as if he had understood something. His expression kept shifting, and an indescribable chill rose in waves through his heart.

He was silent for a long time.

In the end, Li Tianhan cupped his hands and said, "Sorry for the disturbance. This Li takes his leave!"

With that, he grabbed his son Li Moyun by the arm and turned to leave.

He did not look back.

As they watched them leave, everyone in the hall felt their hearts roil, unable to stay calm.

Who could not see that the dignified head of the Li Family had suffered a great fall here today?

He had come full of ambition, and left with his tail between his legs!

Outside the hall.

Seeing the sorry figures of Li Tianhan, Father and Son, departing in such embarrassment, Wen Lingxue's eyes went dazed. This... what was going on?

Huang Qianjun, meanwhile, could no longer hold back a snort of laughter. Look at that—if this wasn't bringing humiliation on yourself, what was?

As for Su Yi, his expression remained as calm as ever. He casually picked up the wine pot, filled his cup, and leisurely drained it in one go.

From beginning to end, he had stayed out of it.

Yet the storm brought by Li Tianhan, Father and Son, had vanished like smoke and scattered like clouds.

P.S. I have to go out tonight to handle some business, so I updated several chapters in a row~

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