Old Madam's Invitation

From the moment Nie Beihu and Fu Shan appeared one after another, Huang Qianjun realized the real Good Show had taken the stage.

Sure enough, in just a few moments, Li Tianhan and his son had lost all face and slunk away in disgrace!

And now, when he noticed the way the gazes in the surrounding area had changed as they looked at Su Yi, Huang Qianjun felt another burst of secret delight.

Because among everyone present, he alone had guessed the outcome in advance!

"Father was right. Su Yi is someone who hides his depths, someone who can't be measured by common sense. Otherwise, with the connections he showed yesterday at Gathering Immortals Pavilion, there was no need for him to have stayed in the Wen Family this past year as a son-in-law looked down on by others."

Huang Qianjun thought to himself.

After returning home from Gathering Immortals Pavilion yesterday, he and his father, Huang Yunchong, had held a deep discussion that lasted the entire night.

In the end, Father and Son reached the same conclusion—

Since Su Yi possessed such great ability yet was still willing to stay in the Wen Family, there had to be some hidden reason behind it!

Thus, when he and his father Huang Yunchong came today, they had not taken the initiative to chat too much with Su Yi, for fear of causing some commotion and exposing certain matters concerning Su Yi.

Even when they had given their gift just now, they had handed the pair of "Nine Leaves King Ginseng" to Wen Changtai and his wife, then let them pass it on to Su Yi and his wife.

Of course, Wen Lingzhao was included along the way.

After all, giving a gift required a proper pretext.

Huang Qianjun had also sensed that Nie Beihu and Fu Shan had clearly guessed that Su Yi was unwilling to expose certain matters, which was why, when they came to attend the banquet, they had all tacitly been "putting on an act"!

"Everyone in the Wen Family, top to bottom, probably never imagined that it isn't just me and Father—even those two big figures, Nie Beihu and Fu Shan, actually came here for Su Yi's sake... Haha, this is way too interesting!"

Huang Qianjun snickered to himself.

Su Yi had no idea that this domineering youth Huang Qianjun had such a rich inner drama.

Even if he had known, he was destined to laugh it off.

What was more, how could he fail to see that whether it was Huang Yunchong and his son, or Fu Shan and Nie Beihu, they had all come to lend support because of him?

"No, they came for Old Master Xiao and Zi Jin's sake."

Su Yi thought to himself.

With the breadth of experience and state of mind from his previous life, how could he possibly feel smug over this? He was even more disdainful of borrowing another's power to resolve matters.

In the final analysis, all of this was entirely those fellows acting on their own initiative.

Clan Hall.

With Li Tianhan and his son gone, the originally tense and stifling atmosphere immediately dissipated by quite a bit.

Wen Changjing's face was piled with smiles as he warmly invited Fu Shan and Nie Beihu to take their seats.

Today, these two big figures were simply the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle, helping the Wen Family turn peril into safety in a single stroke!

"I came this time because Fu has another important matter to handle, so I won't be attending the banquet."

Fu Shan smiled and waved his hand.

Then he turned and came before Wen Changtai and his wife, saying with a smile:

"You two, a noble person instructed me to deliver a gift. Please pass it on to Su Yi and his wife."

As he spoke, he solemnly took out a palm-sized brocade box and handed it over. "Remember, only Su Yi and his wife may open this brocade box."

Wen Changtai and Qin Qing seemed frightened; they shot to their feet with a whoosh, nearly knocking over the table in front of them. They had never expected that the dignified City Lord of Guangling would personally deliver a gift to their family!

Everyone else in the hall was stunned as well, looking at one another.

Just now, Huang Yunchong, the patriarch of the Huang Family, had personally given Wen Changtai's family a "Nine Leaves King Ginseng," which had already shocked everyone beyond measure.

How was it that now, even the Lord City Lord was doing the same?

Wen Changjing and the other great figures of the Wen Family were also dumbstruck. What exactly was going on today?

How had Third Brother's family suddenly become such a hot commodity?

"Many... many thanks, Lord City Lord!"

Wen Changtai was so excited he could barely control the emotions in his heart, his voice trembling.

Qin Qing looked radiant, feeling as if all the grievances and suffocation she had accumulated in her heart over the years had been vented and soothed in this moment.

She took a deep breath, her face full of smiles, and respectfully performed a bow. "On behalf of my daughter and son-in-law, I thank the Lord City Lord for his great kindness!"

After saying this, she swept her gaze over the dazed looks of everyone in the hall, her heart filled with pride and satisfaction, and the corners of her lips could not help but rise slightly.

At last, this old mother has a day to hold her head high!

Fu Shan said, "There's no need to thank me. This gift was given by a noble person. I'm merely passing it on in their stead."

"May I ask Lord Fu which noble person gave it?"

Qin Qing was curious.

Everyone else in the hall pricked up their ears too.

Someone able to send City Lord Fu Shan personally—how could such a noble person be ordinary?

Huang Yunchong vaguely understood, and his heart could not help but tremble as an honorific surfaced in his mind—

Lingyao Princess!

Yet Fu Shan merely smiled and shook his head. "It would not be appropriate to reveal the noble person's identity, so please forgive this Fu for not being able to answer. You two need only remember clearly that the gift is for Su Yi and his wife. That is enough."

Qin Qing hurriedly said, "I will certainly hand it over to them personally."

Everyone's expressions had already turned subtle.

Fu Shan had repeatedly stressed that this gift was for Su Yi and his wife. There was undoubtedly great meaning in that!

"Lingzhao is now a disciple of Heavenly Origin Academy. Could it be because of that?"

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the other important figures of the Wen Family exchanged glances, all subconsciously assuming that this gift could not be separated from Wen Lingzhao.

No one thought of connecting this matter to Su Yi at all.

"Commander Nie, stay here in my place and attend the banquet. This Fu has other important matters to see to, so I will take my leave first."

Fu Shan turned and gave Nie Beihu an instruction, then turned to leave.

Wen Changjing and the others hurriedly stepped forward to see him off.

As he walked out of the hall and passed Su Yi, Fu Shan very naturally paused, then said with a warm smile, "Young Master Su, this Fu will go on ahead."

Su Yi nodded.

Everyone saw this scene. Though they were all incomparably shocked, they subconsciously assumed that Su Yi had benefited from Wen Lingzhao's reflected glory, which was why Fu Shan regarded him differently.

Only after Fu Shan's party disappeared did Huang Qianjun finally murmur in admiration, "Brother Su, among everyone here, you're still the one with the most face!"

Su Yi said casually, "You don't hate me anymore?"

Huang Qianjun's whole body stiffened. Shame appeared on his face, and he said awkwardly, "My father gave me a harsh lesson last night, and also made me thoroughly understand just how great the gap between me and Brother Su is... I... in my heart, I have only fear and gratitude for my fortune. There is absolutely no hatred."

Su Yi gave an "oh" and said, "I hope that is truly what you think."

Listening to the two of them speak, Wen Lingxue grew even more muddled. This string of things that had happened today was far too strange...

Although Fu Shan had only stayed for a moment before leaving, his influence still lingered.

Inside the Clan Hall, the atmosphere became lively once more. Many guests took the initiative to rise, going over to toast and exchange pleasantries with Wen Changtai and his wife.

Though Wen Changtai was an honest man, he was no fool. He knew what was going on, and his heart was overjoyed.

Qin Qing was even more excited, her eyes shining, her brows dancing. Though she did her utmost to hide the joy in her heart, she simply could not control it...

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the other important figures of the Wen Family were also very happy. Li Tianhan and his son had returned with broken halberds and sinking sands; a crisis had thus been resolved.

Even more rare was that with Fu Shan and Nie Beihu lending their support, the attitudes of all the guests present had undergone a subtle change as well.

To the Wen Family, whose circumstances were far from what they had once been, this was undoubtedly a good thing!

"Brother Huang, have you completely changed your attitude?"

Nie Beihu sat beside Huang Yunchong and asked without leaving a trace.

"Yesterday, this Huang had eyes but failed to see, and offended Young Master Su. How could I still bear a grudge over that?"

Huang Yunchong said with a chuckle, "It is also thanks to Young Master Su showing mercy yesterday that my son and I were spared an even greater disaster. I am very grateful in my heart. Thus, I personally came today, first to wish Old Madam Wen a happy birthday, and second to present a few modest gifts, to express the apology in my heart."

Nie Beihu was startled for a moment. He gave Huang Yunchong a deep look and said, "I suppose there is still one point Brother Huang has not said."

Huang Yunchong's brows stirred. "I would like to hear your wise opinion."

Nie Beihu's gaze turned outside the hall and landed on Huang Qianjun, who sat beside Su Yi. His words were rich with meaning as he said:

"I'm afraid you have already seen that with Young Master Su's network, his future is destined to be limitless. Therefore, you intend to treat the disaster that happened yesterday as an opportunity, and through compensation and apology, establish a layer of connection with Young Master Su. Am I right?"

Huang Yunchong's eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled and said, "When parents love their children, they plan far into the distance for them. I am like this; Brother Nie, are you not the same?"

Nie Beihu raised his wine cup and laughed loudly. "Come, let us drink a cup together."

Seated at the head, Old Madam Wen took in every scene within the hall, but her heart was a tangle of mixed flavors.

Today was her eightieth Longevity Banquet.

Far too many things had happened today.

But she knew clearly that the Wen Family had managed to turn peril into safety merely by borrowing the momentum of others.

If they themselves were not strong enough, then in this sort of situation, the Wen Family's appearance of prosperity would only be like the night-blooming cereus—glorious for an instant and gone.

Thinking this, Old Madam Wen's gaze passed through the guests in the hall and looked toward a figure outside the hall.

That person wore a plain blue cloth robe. His figure was lean, and though he sat there casually, he possessed an air of standing beyond dust and vulgarity, appearing out of place among everyone around him.

Taking a deep breath, Old Madam Wen withdrew her gaze and said to the maidservant beside her, "Go have the wife from the third son's household come over."

The maidservant hurriedly accepted the order and left.

Very soon, Qin Qing came rushing over and asked with a puzzled look, "What has Old Madam summoned me for?"

Old Madam said with an imposing expression, "The gifts Lord Fu and Clan Leader Huang sent to your household today—you are not to keep them privately. Once the Longevity Banquet is over, hand them over to Su Yi."

Qin Qing's expression changed slightly, and she forced a smile. "Old Madam worries too much. I would never covet these things. It's just... this gift was given to my daughter and son-in-law. If it is handed to Su Yi alone..."

Old Madam sneered. "I know exactly what is going on in your mind. Were it any other time, I naturally would not bother to pay attention, but today's matter is different from the past. You had best do as I say!"

Qin Qing's whole body went stiff. She had indeed originally planned to secretly withhold these two gifts.

But after Old Madam gave such an order, Qin Qing ultimately dismissed the thought and said dejectedly, "Yes."

After sending Qin Qing away, Old Madam rose and said to the maid beside her, "Go tell Su Yi as well. Have him come to Flower Tea Hall to see me."

"Yes."

The maid accepted the order.

Outside the great hall.

When he learned the maid's purpose in coming, a strange look surfaced in the depths of Su Yi's eyes. The old lady finally can't hold herself back anymore?

Good.

The very reason he had come to attend the Longevity Banquet today was to have a talk with her about what had happened back then.

"Lead the way."

Su Yi drained the wine in his cup in one gulp, rose at ease, and followed the maid toward Flower Tea Hall.

P.S. Brothers and sisters, it's Monday—asking for votes, asking for favorites~~~