Chapter 22

From the moment Nie Beihu and Fu Shan appeared, Huang Ganjun realized that the real drama was about to unfold.

Sure enough, in just a moment, Li Tianhan and his son were left with their faces in the dust, slinking away in disgrace!

At this point, when Huang Ganjun noticed that the gazes of those around him had changed when looking at Su Yi, he felt a secret satisfaction.

Because among those present, only he had predicted the outcome in advance!

"Father was right; Su Yi is a person who keeps his cards close to his chest, impossible to judge by ordinary standards. Otherwise, with the connections he displayed at the Juxian Pavilion yesterday, he wouldn’t have stayed at the Wen family for a year, being a disrespected son-in-law," Huang Ganjun thought to himself.

After returning home from the Juxian Pavilion yesterday, he had a long talk with his father, Huang Yunchong, which lasted the entire night.

In the end, both father and son came to the same conclusion—

Since Su Yi had such great abilities and was still willing to stay at the Wen family, there must be some hidden reason!

Therefore, when he and his father, Huang Yunchong, came today, they did not actively engage Su Yi in much conversation, fearing that any commotion might expose some of Su Yi’s secrets.

Even when they presented gifts, they handed a pair of "Nine-Leaf King Ginseng" to Wen Changtai and his wife, who then passed them on to Su Yi and his wife.

Of course, Wen Lingzhao was included as a courtesy.

After all, there needed to be a reason for giving gifts.

Huang Ganjun also noticed that Nie Beihu and Fu Shan had clearly guessed that Su Yi did not want to expose certain things, so they were all very默契地 "acting" when they came to the banquet!

"This entire Wen family probably never imagined that not only me and my father, but even great figures like Nie Beihu and Fu Shan, are here for Su Yi’s sake... Ha, this is too interesting!" Huang Ganjun secretly rejoiced.

Su Yi, however, had no idea about the inner thoughts of this arrogant young man.

Even if he did know, he would have just smiled it off.

Moreover, how could he not see that both Huang Yunchong and his son, as well as Fu Shan and Nie Beihu, were here because of him?

"No, they are here for the sake of Old Master Xiao and Zijin," Su Yi thought to himself.

With his past experiences and mindset, he would never be so pleased with himself, nor would he deign to rely on others to solve his problems.

In the end, all of this was just those people acting on their own initiative.

In the clan hall.

With the departure of Li Tianhan and his son, the tense and oppressive atmosphere dissipated considerably.

Wen Changjing’s face was full of smiles as he warmly invited Fu Shan and Nie Beihu to take their seats.

These two great figures were like a stabilizing force, helping the Wen family avert a crisis!

"I have another important matter to attend to, so I won’t be joining the banquet," Fu Shan said with a smile, waving his hand.

Then, he turned to Wen Changtai and his wife, smiling, "There is a distinguished person who asked 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 can open this box."

Wen Changtai and Qin Qing were so startled that they almost knocked over the table in front of them, rising abruptly. They never expected that the City Lord of Guangling would personally deliver a gift to their family!

Everyone else in the hall was also stunned, looking at each other in surprise.

Just a moment ago, Clan Head Huang Yunchong had personally given the Wen family a "Nine-Leaf King Ginseng," which was already astonishing.

Now, even the City Lord was doing the same?

The important figures of the Wen family, including Wen Changjing, were all dumbfounded. What was going on today?

How did the third branch suddenly become so favored?

"Thank... thank you, City Lord!" Wen Changtai was so excited that he could hardly control his emotions, his voice trembling.

Qin Qing’s face lit up, feeling that all the grievances and frustrations of the past years were finally being released and comforted.

She took a deep breath, smiling broadly, and bowed respectfully, "I thank the City Lord on behalf of my daughter and son-in-law!"

As she finished speaking, she glanced at the stunned faces of the others in the hall, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction, her lips curling slightly.

Finally, there was a day when she could hold her head high!

Fu Shan said, "There’s no need to thank me. This gift is from a distinguished person, and I am just delivering it on their behalf."

"May I ask, City Lord, who is this distinguished person?" Qin Qing asked curiously.

The others in the hall also perked up their ears.

For the City Lord Fu Shan to personally deliver a gift, this distinguished person must be extraordinary!

Huang Yunchong had a vague understanding, his heart trembling as a title came to mind—

Princess Lingyao!

Fu Shan smiled and shook his head, "The identity of the distinguished person should not be revealed. I cannot answer, but just remember that the gift is for Su Yi and his wife."

Qin Qing quickly replied, "I will personally deliver it to them."

The expressions of the others became more complex.

Fu Shan’s repeated emphasis that the gift was for Su Yi and his wife was undoubtedly significant!

"Is it because Lingzhao is now a disciple of the Tianyuan Academy?" Wen Changjing and Wen Changqing exchanged glances, subconsciously thinking that the gift must be related to Wen Lingzhao.

No one thought it had anything to do with Su Yi.

"Commander Nie, you stay and enjoy the banquet on my behalf. I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave," Fu Shan turned to Nie Beihu and said, then left.

Wen Changjing and the others hurriedly escorted him out.

As he passed by Su Yi, Fu Shan naturally paused, smiling warmly, "Young Master Su, I must take my leave first."

Su Yi nodded.

This scene was observed by everyone, and though they were all incredibly surprised, they subconsciously thought that Su Yi was benefiting from Wen Lingzhao’s status, which was why Fu Shan treated him differently.

When Fu Shan and his entourage disappeared, Huang Ganjun couldn’t help but praise in a low voice, "Brother Su, you have the most face among us here!"

Su Yi casually replied, "Aren’t you still angry with me?"

Huang Ganjun stiffened, his face showing shame, and he stammered, "My father gave me a severe scolding last night, making me realize the gap between me and Brother Su... I... I only feel fear and gratitude, not hatred."

Su Yi said, "I hope you mean it."

Listening to their conversation, Wen Lingxue’s head was even more confused. The series of events today were just too strange...

Although Fu Shan stayed only briefly, his influence remained.

The atmosphere in the clan hall became lively again, with many guests voluntarily approaching Wen Changtai and his wife to offer toasts and greetings.

Wen Changtai, though honest, was not stupid. He understood what was happening and was very pleased.

Qin Qing was even more excited, her face radiant, though she tried to hide her joy, she couldn’t control it...

Wen Changjing and Wen Changqing were also very happy. The crisis caused by Li Tianhan and his son had been averted.

More importantly, with the support of Fu Shan and Nie Beihu, the attitudes of all the guests had subtly changed.

This was undoubtedly a good thing for the Wen family, whose situation had greatly deteriorated!

"Brother Huang, have you completely changed your attitude?" Nie Beihu asked Huang Yunchong, who was sitting next to him, in a subtle manner.

"Yesterday, I was blind and offended Young Master Su. How could I bear to hold a grudge?" Huang Yunchong chuckled, "I am also grateful to Young Master Su for his leniency yesterday, which saved my son and me from greater disaster. Today, I came to wish the old matriarch a happy birthday and to offer some gifts as a token of my apology."

Nie Beihu paused, looking deeply at Huang Yunchong, "I think there’s something else you haven’t said."

Huang Yunchong’s eyebrows twitched, "I’m eager to hear your thoughts."

Nie Beihu’s gaze fell on Huang Ganjun, who was sitting next to Su Yi, and said meaningfully, "You must have realized that with Young Master Su’s connections, his future is bound to be limitless. Therefore, you are using yesterday’s incident as an opportunity to build a relationship with him through compensation and apologies, right?"

Huang Yunchong’s eyes narrowed, then he smiled, "A parent’s love for their child is deep and far-reaching. I am no different from you, Brother Nie."

Nie Beihu raised his wine glass, laughing, "Here’s to us."

The old matriarch, seated at the head of the hall, observed everything, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Today was her eightieth birthday.

Too many things had happened today.

But she knew that the Wen family’s ability to avert the crisis was only because they had relied on others.

If they were not strong enough, the Wen family’s prosperity would be nothing more than a fleeting illusion!

Thinking of this, the old matriarch’s gaze swept over the guests and landed on a figure outside the hall.

He was dressed in a simple green robe, his figure slender, sitting casually with an otherworldly aura, standing out from the crowd.

Taking a deep breath, the old matriarch turned to her attendant, "Go and bring the third branch’s daughter-in-law here."

The attendant hurriedly obeyed.

Soon, Qin Qing rushed over, looking puzzled, "Old Matriarch, what do you need me for?"

The old matriarch’s expression was stern, "The gifts from City Lord Fu and Clan Head Huang today must not be kept privately. After the birthday banquet, you must give them to Su Yi."

Qin Qing’s face changed, forcing a smile, "Old Matriarch, you worry too much. I wouldn’t keep them for myself. But... the gifts are for my daughter and son-in-law. If I give them only to Su Yi..."

The old matriarch sneered, "I know what you’re thinking. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but today is different. You’d better do as I say!"

Qin Qing stiffened. She had indeed planned to keep the gifts privately.

But after the old matriarch’s command, she finally gave up the idea, hanging her head, "Yes."

After dismissing Qin Qing, the old matriarch stood up and said to her attendant, "Go and tell Su Yi to come to the Huaming Hall to see me."

"Yes."

The attendant obeyed.

Outside the hall.

When the attendant conveyed her message, Su Yi’s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. The old lady couldn’t hold back any longer, could she?

Well, that’s fine.

He had come to the birthday banquet today to talk about the past with her.

"You lead the way."

Su Yi finished his drink, stood up leisurely, and followed the attendant to the Huaming Hall.

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