Chapter 21

Wen Changjing's face darkened.

Today is the eightieth birthday of the old matriarch, with guests from all directions gathering, and the city of Guangling is paying close attention.

At such a time, any incident would spread to the outside world in the shortest time possible.

And Li Tianhan's visit, ostensibly to wish the matriarch a happy birthday, is actually with ill intentions!

The old matriarch of the Wen family, Second Elder Wen Changqing, and other important figures of the Wen family also sensed something was amiss, their faces growing increasingly grim.

Li Tianhan seemed very satisfied with this effect and said calmly, "Rest assured, once these two minor matters are resolved, I will leave immediately and will not disturb your enjoyment."

Without giving Wen Changjing and others a chance to speak, Li Tianhan continued:

"The first matter, as I mentioned before, the Wen family no longer has the strength to monopolize the herbal business in Guangling. Today, you must hand over half of your share!"

"Half of the share? Li Tianhan, you must be crazy!"

Wen Changjing's forehead veins bulged, almost jumping in anger.

The other important figures of the Wen family also showed their anger.

The herbal business is the largest source of income for the Wen family, the foundation of their clan.

Li Tianhan's demand to take half of their herbal business is tantamount to a death sentence for the Wen family!

The entire hall of important figures drew a sharp breath, their hearts trembling. The Li family is truly ruthless!

Li Tianhan said with a cold expression, "Brother Wen, you misunderstand. I have already discussed this with Brother Huang Yunchong. The half of the herbal business that the Wen family gives up, the Li family will take thirty percent, and the Huang family will take twenty percent. If the Wen family disagrees, don't blame us for being impolite."

Everyone was suddenly enlightened but also felt a chill, realizing that Li Tianhan was using the power of the Li and Huang families to force the Wen family to submit!

In this situation, if the Wen family refuses, it will inevitably lead to endless troubles.

After all, with the current strength and influence of the Wen family, they cannot compete with the other two families.

Wen Changjing and Wen Changqing clearly realized this, their hearts turning cold, and they were at a loss.

"Brother Huang is also here. If you don't believe me, you can ask Brother Huang directly."

Li Tianhan said, his gaze turning to Huang Yunchong, who was sitting nearby.

"Brother Huang, is this true?"

Wen Changjing said in a deep voice.

The gazes of the others in the hall also turned to Huang Yunchong.

Huang Yunchong's face changed several times, and finally, as if making a decision, he stood up abruptly and said in a deep voice, "I didn't, don't talk nonsense, it doesn't exist!"

A triple denial.

The entire hall was stunned, confused. What... what is going on?

Wen Changjing and the others were relieved, it seemed that Li Tianhan had not truly formed an alliance with Huang Yunchong!

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

Li Tianhan's face changed slightly, caught off guard.

"What agreement? It was just a joke. Who would have thought you took it seriously."

Huang Yunchong took a deep breath and said with a blank expression, "Brother Li, I must remind you, today is the matriarch's birthday banquet, it's best to be more restrained!"

"You..."

Li Tianhan's face darkened.

However, he, being experienced, keenly sensed that something was amiss. Huang Yunchong, the old man, had betrayed him at this critical moment. Could something unexpected have happened, making him dare not get involved?

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

Wen Changjing coldly snorted, his heart finally easing. Without the Huang family's involvement, only facing the Li family, he still had some confidence.

Li Tianhan quickly regained his composure and said with a blank expression, "Forget it, let's set this matter aside for now. Let's talk about the second matter."

The hearts of everyone in the hall tightened again. The first matter had already created such a tense atmosphere; how terrifying would the second matter be?

Li Tianhan then said to Li Moyun, who was standing beside him, "Moyun, you speak."

Li Moyun stepped forward, looked around, and said loudly, "I have heard that Su Yi and Lingzhao are only nominal spouses, and Lingzhao deeply despises Su Yi. Therefore, I hope the elders of the Wen family will dissolve this marriage and grant Lingzhao her freedom!"

A single stone stirred a thousand waves, and the hall was in an uproar.

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the other important figures of the Wen family were also stunned.

Who would have thought that the second matter Li Tianhan came for was to meddle in Su Yi and Lingzhao's marriage?

"This..."

Not far away, Wen Changtai and Qin Qing exchanged glances, both feeling a bit dazed and a sense of familiarity.

Because seven days ago, Wei Zhenyang from Yunhe County had also said similar things, targeting their daughter!

However, they never imagined that even after their daughter was married, she was still so sought after...

At the same time, outside the hall.

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

The events in the clan hall were also heard by those outside, and they were all incredibly shocked, never expecting Li Moyun to make such a demand!

Many even sensed that Su Yi, the赘婿 (zhuixu, a term for a man who marries into a family and takes on the family name), might be expelled from the family today!

After all, this time, the Li family patriarch had personally arrived. How could the Wen family dare to oppose the Li family over such a trivial matter?

"Damn!"

Wen Lingxue's eyes widened in anger.

"This guy is asking for death!"

Huang Ganjun sneered, his eyes even showing a hint of schadenfreude.

He glanced casually and saw Su Yi's eyebrows slightly furrowed!

This made Huang Ganjun realize that a good show was about to begin!

"This..."

At this moment, inside the clan hall, Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and others were very hesitant, their gazes all turning to the old matriarch.

The marriage of Su Yi and Wen Lingzhao was decided by the old matriarch, ignoring the opposition of the other members of the Wen family.

If not for this, Wen Changjing and the others would have long expelled Su Yi from the family!

Noticing that everyone's gazes were on her, the old matriarch realized it was time for her to speak.

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

Her words were decisive, leaving no room for negotiation!

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and others felt their hearts sink, very puzzled, not understanding why the old matriarch insisted on preserving this marriage at this moment.

Even Qin Qing was anxious. She had always opposed this marriage and had thought many times about expelling Su Yi.

And now, it was undoubtedly a great opportunity.

But the old matriarch refused to agree!

Li Moyun frowned, feeling very uncomfortable, and looked at his father, Li Tianhan.

But before Li Tianhan could speak, Huang Yunchong sighed deeply and said:

"A stranger trying to meddle in someone else's marriage, nephew Moyun, I advise you to change your mind as soon as possible!"

Li Tianhan's pupils contracted: "Brother Huang, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?"

Huang Yunchong looked around and then said in a deep voice, "I'll say one more thing, don't let your son have designs on Wen Lingzhao, or there will be great trouble!"

Li Tianhan's face changed slightly.

The others in the hall were confused. This was a matter between the Li and Wen families, yet Huang Yunchong, as the head of the Huang family, had actively intervened.

This naturally left everyone puzzled.

Li Moyun was annoyed, a shadow of gloom appearing on his handsome face, and said, "Uncle Huang, you don't think I am inferior to Su Yi, do you?"

Huang Yunchong's eyes showed pity, and he shook his head, "This is called inviting humiliation."

Inviting humiliation!

These four words made everyone pause, almost thinking they had heard wrong.

Who was Li Moyun? He was a leading figure among the young generation of Guangling, an inner disciple of the Qinghe Sword Mansion. How could he be inferior to a worthless person who had lost his cultivation?

"Brother Huang, why are you acting so differently today, not only making things difficult for me but also interfering with my son's affairs?"

Li Tianhan's eyes turned cold, his heart burning with anger.

He had come to cause trouble for the Wen family, but who would have thought that Huang Yunchong would repeatedly thwart him!

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

"Brother Huang is right, some things, once done, will invite disaster!"

Accompanied by the voice, the tall and imposing figure of Nie Beihu, the commander of the city lord's guards, strode in.

The entire hall was stunned, and everyone was confused, unable to understand the situation.

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and others were also taken aback, never expecting the commander of the city lord's guards, Nie Beihu, to come to their door.

What was even stranger was that as soon as Nie Beihu arrived, he immediately targeted Li Tianhan and his son!

"Nie Beihu, what do you mean?"

Li Tianhan was clearly caught off guard, his face darkening, and he sensed that something was very wrong today.

Huang Yunchong's behavior today was very unusual, and even Nie Beihu, who had just arrived, was acting strangely!

In the past, how would they dare to treat him like this?

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

"Commander Nie means that today is the matriarch's birthday, and you and your son should leave as soon as possible to avoid spoiling everyone's fun!"

Outside the hall, there was a commotion, with exclamations of surprise.

Then, under the gaze of countless astonished eyes, a middle-aged man in a wide-sleeved scholar's robe walked into the hall.

"Lord Fu!"

When they recognized the identity of the newcomer, Wen Changjing was overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.

"Meeting Lord Fu."

"Lord Fu has also come?"

... At this moment, the entire hall was in shock, and the nobles and important figures present all stood up, greeting him with respect and smiles.

The newcomer was none other than Fu Shan, the city lord of Guangling!

"Lord Fu... you... why are you here?"

Li Tianhan was dumbfounded, completely unable to remain calm, his heart churning.

He had heard that Fu Shan did not intend to attend the Wen family's birthday banquet, but who would have thought that Fu Shan would come at this critical moment!

"I came to wish the old matriarch a happy birthday, of course."

Fu Shan said calmly, taking out a jewelry box from his sleeve and smiling as he handed it to the old matriarch, who was seated at the head of the table, saying, "This is a small token of my appreciation."

The old matriarch smiled broadly, repeatedly thanking him.

Only then did Fu Shan turn to Li Tianhan, his expression cold, "Brother Li, I have already made my intentions clear. I advise you not to be stubborn and to leave with your son quickly."

Li Tianhan's face stiffened.

His gaze swept over Huang Yunchong, Nie Beihu, and Fu Shan, seemingly understanding something, his expression changing, and a chill spreading through his heart.

After a long silence.

Finally, Li Tianhan bowed and said, "I have disturbed you. I will take my leave!"

With that, he grabbed his son Li Moyun's arm and turned to leave, not looking back.

Watching them leave, the hearts of everyone in the hall were agitated, unable to remain calm.

No one could have predicted that the mighty head of the Li family would suffer such a setback today!

He came with high hopes and left in disgrace!

And outside the hall.

Seeing the狼狈 (langbei, embarrassed) departure of Li Tianhan and his son, Wen Lingxue's eyes also showed a moment of confusion. What... what is going on?

Huang Ganjun could no longer hold back a sneer. Look, what is this if not inviting humiliation?

As for Su Yi, his expression remained calm. He casually picked up a wine jug, filled a cup, and leisurely drank it.

Throughout the entire incident, he remained detached.

But the storm brought by Li Tianhan and his son had thus dissipated.

---

ps: I have to go out to do some errands tonight, so I updated in one go~

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