Everyone turned toward the voice, and when they saw that it was Ge Ming, the grand elder of the Wonderful Elixir Workshop, surprise and suspicion stirred among them. Like the City Lord's Residence, the Wonderful Elixir Workshop had always remained neutral, disdaining to associate with the lineages. Yet Ge Ming's words were far too obvious in their defense of the Tang Family.
The eyes of those from the other three great lineages darkened. If the Tang Family truly had a substantial friendship with the Wonderful Elixir Workshop, then the weakest of them would become a very hard bone to chew.
Old Master Tang had not expected anyone to speak up for the Tang Family at this moment either. He gave Ge Ming a discreet nod of thanks.
"I think we should let this matter drop." Liu Wuhui knew that pressing the issue would mean disrespecting the Wonderful Elixir Workshop, a behemoth the Liu Family could not contend with.
Everyone sighed. With the Wonderful Elixir Workshop protecting the Tang Family and Old Master Liu saying as much, what should have been an entertaining spectacle had fallen apart just like that.
The City Lord had yet to appear, partly because not all the guests had arrived, and partly because he wanted to see how Tang Yan, whom he had recently been watching, would resolve the embarrassment of having no seat.
Lin Xiao had considered how Tang Yan might handle it, but none of the methods he could think of was certain to reclaim the Tang Family's rightful seats.
Who would have thought Tang Yan would refuse to play by the rules and dare to attack Qian Family members inside the City Lord's Residence? Still less had he expected Old Master Tang to disregard his dignity and strike the Qian Family's juniors.
What surprised the City Lord most, however, was that the Wonderful Elixir Workshop had also stepped forward for the Tang Family. What hidden dealings lay behind that?
Tang Yan seemed to have made a foolish move, but these unexpected developments, strung together, had settled what should have escalated into an uncontrollable dispute. And the Tang Family had won a sweeping victory.
Thinking the matter was over, Lin Xiao was just about to step out into the main hall when an utterly discordant voice rang out again. "What bullshit four great lineages? Their own dog gets beaten, and they don't even dare let out a fart. If something really happens one day, I suppose all you can do is swallow your bad luck. All those years of loyalty, wasted."
Tang Yan's seemingly casual remark once again made the atmosphere, which had been about to settle, turn delicate.
Their own dog had been beaten. Only the Qian Family had suffered a beating in the hall, and they had indeed been subordinate to the Liu Family for years. Wasn't he calling the Qian Family the Liu Family's dogs?
The Qian Family had been humiliated, yet the Liu Family had ultimately said to let it drop. Originally, no one had found the Liu Family's response strange. After all, the Wonderful Elixir Workshop was such a powerful force. If it said to let the matter drop, wouldn't anyone who kept arguing be failing to appreciate the favor?
But with Tang Yan exposing it before everyone, the matter took on a different flavor. The Qian Family members would surely feel even more aggrieved, and the once inseparable relationship between the Qian and Liu families would suffer as well.
The other lineages that depended on the Liu Family would also carefully consider whether this mountain they leaned on was truly reliable.
A single, simple remark from this wastrel had produced such a clear effect, successfully sowing discord between the Liu Family and its subordinate lineages.
Old Master Liu's face darkened. How could this Tang brat be so vicious?
But pursuing the Tang Family's responsibility now really would mean opposing the Wonderful Elixir Workshop. For the moment, he could only swallow this grievance in silence.
Brilliant! The City Lord clapped his hands, inwardly praising the move with fervor.
Tang Yan plopped down in his seat without a care. Liu Zhi gave him an amused look and said languidly, "I was wondering who it was. So it's Young Master Tang. I'm terribly sorry I accidentally beat you last time."
"Heh, Miss Lin was there last time, so I maintained my gentlemanly bearing and let you off. But didn't I beat up Liu Yuan and Liu Quan just two days later? Give it a few more days, and I'll visit the Liu Family and beat every last one of you, young and old." Tang Yan answered with a smile.
Liu Zhi's gaze gradually grew cold. "Then I truly look forward to that day. You won't make me wait until my next life, will you, Young Master Tang?"
"This is the first time I've met a prize specimen like you, begging to be beaten." Tang Yan's tongue was venomous; he said whatever would rankle most, instantly sending Liu Zhi into a fury.
Just as Liu Zhi was about to lash out again, a hearty laugh rang out. "Hahaha! You all honor me by gathering here today, lending splendor to the humble City Lord's Residence."
"Not at all! Not at all!"
Seeing City Lord Lin Xiao emerge with his wife, everyone immediately responded with smiles. The earlier atmosphere of drawn swords and taut bows vanished completely.
"Today is my birthday. Thank you all for honoring me with your presence. Drink as much as you like, and be sure to enjoy yourselves. Let me offer you all the first toast!" With graceful poise, Madam Lin raised her wine cup and drained it in one gulp.
"Wonderful!" Everyone cheered in unison and raised their cups, sharing wine and cheerful conversation in an exceptionally harmonious atmosphere.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Liu He, head of the Liu Family, stood and cupped his hands toward Lin Xiao and his wife. "In celebration of Madam Lin's birthday, the Liu Family presents two Deep-Sea Luminous Pearls! These pearls are treasures from our collection. Placed in a room at night, they can make it as bright as day. Their aura also soothes the mind and spirit, greatly benefiting the body. A modest gift, hardly sufficient to convey our respect!"
With that, he took the wooden case a servant brought forward and opened its lid. Two fist-sized pearls lay inside. Even at midday, they gave off a faint glow within the hall, making it obvious that they were anything but ordinary.
"How thoughtful of you, Brother Liu." Lin Xiao cupped his hands to Liu He in thanks.
"The Qin Family presents Madam Lin with a Blue Ice Sword, forged three hundred years ago by the master swordsmith Lan Jin. Its edge is keen, and its blade greatly enhances true qi, providing a considerable boost to combat strength. May Madam Lin's halls overflow with gold and jade, and may she enjoy both good fortune and longevity!" Qin Ling of the Qin Family stood and spoke.
"The Wu Family presents a Heavenly Silkworm Silk Vest, crafted from silk spun by a Centennial Ice Silkworm. It keeps its wearer warm in winter and cool in summer, impervious to both cold and heat!" Wu Bayang of the Wu Family stood and announced.
Hearing the gifts announced by these three great lineages, everyone in the hall was astonished. They inwardly marveled that the four great lineages truly lived up to their reputation, with wealth enough to throw their weight around.
Every item was a treasure one could scarcely hope to encounter. Many people had only heard of them and had never seen the real thing. These great lineages had truly spared no expense.
Three of the four great lineages had presented gifts so precious and extravagant that they had opened everyone's eyes. All gazes fell on Old Master Tang at once, anticipating what magnificent gift the Tang Family would produce.
When he heard the Liu Family announce its gift, Old Master Tang had already felt a bad premonition. Given the circumstances of the four great lineages, gifts like these far exceeded what was customary for merely celebrating the City Lord's wife's birthday.
When the Qin Family followed immediately with an equally rare treasure, Old Master Tang understood at once. They had clearly agreed beforehand to present valuable treasures so they could make the Tang Family look foolish.
Sure enough, when the Wu Family also produced its treasure, Tang Ling's suspicions were confirmed.
He silently cursed the three families as beasts, but anxiety filled his heart. All three had already presented their gifts; the Tang Family could not avoid its turn.
Yet he had brought only ten first-tier upper grade pills. Compared with gifts from smaller lineages, these could be considered precious. Beside those of the other three great lineages, however, they paled into insignificance.
Would the City Lord harbor resentment toward the Tang Family because its gift was too paltry?
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