Chapter 21: A Cold Glance, Vanishing into Thin Air

Wen Changjing's face grew dark.

Today was the 80th birthday of the old matriarch, and guests from all directions had gathered. The entire city of Guangling, both inside and outside the city walls, was paying attention to this event.

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

And Li Tianhan's arrival, ostensibly to offer birthday wishes, was actually harboring ulterior motives!

Old Lady Wen, Second Elder Wen Changqing, and other prominent figures from the Wen family also realized the seriousness of the situation, and their expressions became increasingly grim.

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

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

"The first matter, as I have mentioned before, given the current strength of the Wen family, it is incapable of monopolizing half of the medicinal herb business in Guangling City. Therefore, today, you must surrender half of your shares!"

"Half of the shares? Li Tianhan, you must be out of your mind!"

Veins bulged on Wen Changjing's forehead, and he was so enraged that he almost jumped up.

The other prominent figures of the Wen family were also filled with anger.

The biggest source of wealth for their family lay in the medicinal herb business, which was the foundation of their clan.

Li Tianhan made an audacious demand, wanting to swallow up half of their medicinal herb business in one fell swoop. This was tantamount to taking the lives of the Wen family members!

The dignitaries in the room gasped in shock, trembling with fear, realizing how ruthless the Li family truly was!

Li Tianhan's expression remained indifferent as he continued, "Brother Wen, you have misunderstood. I have already discussed this matter with Brother Huang Yunchong. The Wen family will relinquish half of the medicinal herb business, with the Li family taking 30% and the Huang family taking 20%. If the Wen family disagrees, then don't blame our two families for being impolite."

As the crowd gradually realized what was happening, they couldn't help but feel apprehensive, understanding that Li Tianhan was using the combined influence of the Li and Huang families to force the Wen family to submit!

In such a situation, once the Wen family refused, it would inevitably face endless troubles.

After all, based on the Wen family's current strength and influence, they were simply unable to contend with the other two families.

Wen Changjing and Wen Changqing also realized this, feeling a chill in their hearts and a sense of helplessness.

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

Li Tianhan spoke and turned his gaze toward Huang Yunchong, who was sitting nearby.

"Huang Brother, is this true?"

Wen Changjing spoke in a low voice.

The gazes of everyone in the room turned towards Huang Yunchong.

They saw Huang Yunchong's face go through various changes before finally making a decisive move. He suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice, "I have no idea what you're talking about. It doesn't exist!"

Three consecutive denials.

The entire room was stunned and confused. What...what was happening?

Wen Changjing and the others, on the other hand, looked pleased. It seemed that Li Tianhan had not truly formed an alliance with Huang Yunchong!

"Huang Brother, 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 spoke expressionlessly, "Li Brother, I would advise you to restrain yourself on this day of Old Lady Wen's birthday celebration."

"You..." Li Tianhan's face darkened.

However, after experiencing many storms, he keenly sensed that something was amiss. This old man Huang Yunchong actually betrayed him at this critical moment. Could there have been an unexpected incident that made the Huang family reluctant to get involved?

"Li Brother, do you have anything else to say now?" Wen Changjing snorted coldly, feeling somewhat relieved. With the Huang family out of the picture, they only had to contend with the Li family, and he had a bit of confidence in that.

Li Tianhan quickly regained his composure and spoke expressionlessly, "Fine, let's not discuss this matter for now. Let's move on to the second matter."

The hearts of the people in the hall tensed up again. The first matter had already created such a tense atmosphere, so how much more frightening could the second matter be?

Li Tianhan turned to Li Moyun beside him and said, "Moyun, it's your turn."

Li Moyun took a step forward, surveyed the surroundings, and said loudly, "I have heard that Su Yi and Miss Lingzhao are only nominally married, and Miss Lingzhao despises Su Yi deeply. Therefore, I hope the elders of the Wen family can annul this marriage and set Lingzhao free!"

The room erupted in uproar.

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and other prominent figures of the Wen family were also dumbfounded.

Who could have imagined that Li Tianhan's second matter would involve interfering in the marriage of Su Yi and Lingzhao?

"This..."

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

Because seven days ago, Wei Zhengyang from the Wei family in Yunhe County had said similar things, also targeting their daughter!

However, they never could have imagined that their daughter was already married and still in such high demand...

Meanwhile, outside the main hall.

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

The events that took place in the ancestral hall were also heard by the people outside the hall, and they were all extremely astonished. They never expected Li Moyun to make such a demand!

Many people even had a premonition that Su Yi, this unwanted son-in-law, would likely be expelled today!

After all, the patriarch of the Li family had personally come, and the Wen family would not let a small matter like this escalate with the Li family.

"Damn it!" Wen Lingxue's eyes widened in anger.

"This guy is asking for trouble!"

Huang Qianjun, on the other hand, sneered and even showed a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

Pretending to be casual, he glanced over and noticed a slight frown on Su Yi's face!

This made Huang Qianjun realize that there was going to be a good show!

In the ancestral hall at this moment, Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and others were hesitant, their gazes all turning towards the Wen family's elderly matriarch.

When Su Yi and Wen Lingzhao got married, it was the elderly matriarch who made the decision, disregarding the objections of other members of the Wen family.

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

Noticing that everyone's gaze was on her, the elderly matriarch realized it was time for her to make a statement.

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

Firm and unwavering!

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and others felt a sinking feeling in their hearts. They were puzzled as to why, at this moment, the elderly matriarch insisted on preserving this marriage.

Even Qin Jing was a bit anxious. From the beginning, she had been the most opposed to this marriage and had thought countless times about driving Su Yi away.

And now, it was undoubtedly a great opportunity.

But the elderly matriarch refused to agree!

Li Moyun furrowed his brow, feeling quite uncomfortable. He turned his gaze to his father, Li Tianhan.

However, before Li Tianhan could speak, Huang Yunchong let out a long sigh and said, "An outsider meddling in someone else's marriage. Nephew Moyun, I advise you to change your mind before it's too late!"

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

"What do I mean?"

Huang Yunchong looked around at the people present before speaking in a deep voice, "Then let me say one more thing. Don't let your son have any ideas about Wen Lingzhao, or else disaster will befall him!"

Li Tianhan's face slightly changed.

The others present were puzzled. This was originally a matter between the Li family and the Wen family, but Huang Yunchong, as the head of the Huang family, had willingly intervened.

Naturally, this was confusing.

Li Moyun became annoyed, a shadow appearing on his handsome face as he said, "Uncle Huang, do you think I'm inferior to Su Yi?"

Huang Yunchong looked at him with pity and shook his head, "You're bringing this upon yourself."

Bringing this upon yourself!

With just a few words, everyone was stunned, almost thinking they had misheard.

Li Moyun was an outstanding figure. He was a leader among the younger generation of Guangling City and an inner disciple of Qinghe Sword Sect. With his status, how could he be inferior to a cultivator who had lost all his cultivation?

"Huang Xiong, why have you changed so much today? Not only are you making things difficult for me at every turn, but you also want to meddle in my son's affairs!"

Li Tianhan's eyes revealed a cold gaze, his anger brewing within.

He had come to cause trouble for the Wen family, but never did he expect Huang Yunchong to repeatedly disrupt his plans.

Just as Huang Yunchong was about to say something, a deep voice sounded from outside the main hall, "Huang Xiong is right. Once certain things are done, they invite trouble!"

With the voice, a tall figure, the Commander of the City Lord's Mansion Guards, Nie Beihu, strode into the hall.

The whole place shook, and everyone present was bewildered, unable to understand the current situation.

Even Wen Changjing and Wen Changqing felt the same. They never expected Nie Beihu, the Commander of the City Lord's Mansion Guards, to come knocking at their door.

What was even more strange was that Nie Beihu had just arrived but directly aimed his spearhead at Li Tianhan and his son!

"What do you mean by this, Nie Beihu?"

Li Tianhan was clearly caught off guard, his face suddenly becoming unusually gloomy, realizing that something was very wrong today.

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

In the past, they wouldn't dare to treat him like this.

But before Li Tianhan could react, another voice sounded from outside the main hall, "Commander Nie means to say that today is the celebration of the Wen family matriarch's birthday. It would be best for you and your son to leave quickly and not spoil everyone's mood!"

There was a commotion outside the hall, with constant exclamations of surprise.

Then, under the gaze of incredulous eyes, a middle-aged man in wide-sleeved Confucian robes walked into the hall.

"Master Fu!"

When Wen Changjing recognized the person's identity, he was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward to greet him.

"Greetings, Master Fu."

"Master Fu is here too?"

... At this moment, everyone was shocked. The aristocrats and influential figures present all stood up one after another, showing sincere fear and welcoming smiles.

The person who arrived was Fu Shan, the City Lord of Guangling City!

"Master Fu... Why are you here?"

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

He had heard that Fu Shan had no intention of attending the Wen family's birthday celebration, but who would have thought that Fu Shan would choose to come at this crucial moment!

"I naturally came to wish Lady Wen a happy birthday."

Fu Shan said calmly, and as he spoke, he took out a jewelry box from his sleeve and handed it to the elderly lady sitting at the head, saying, "This is a little something from me."

The elderly lady couldn't stop smiling and repeatedly expressed her gratitude.

Fu Shan then turned to look at Li Tianhan, his expression cold, "Li Xiong, I made myself clear just now. I advise you not to persist stubbornly. It would be best for you and your son to leave quickly."

Li Tianhan's face turned stiff.

His gaze swept across Huang Yunchong, Nie Beihu, and Fu Shan one by one, seemingly understanding something. His expression kept changing, and an indescribable coldness surged within his heart.

Silence lingered for a while.

Finally, Li Tianhan clasped his hands and said, "Apologies for the disturbance. I bid farewell!"

With that, he grabbed his son Li Moyun's arm and turned to leave.

He didn't look back.

As they watched them leave, the people in the hall were restless and unable to remain calm.

Who could have imagined that the esteemed head of the Li family would stumble so badly today?

He came with confidence but left in embarrassment!

Outside the hall,

Witnessing the disheveled departure of Li Tianhan and his son, Wen Lingxue's expression became dazed. What... what is happening?

Huang Qianjun couldn't help but sneer. Look, isn't this called self-inflicted humiliation?

Turning to Su Yi, his expression remained calm. He casually lifted a wine jug and filled a cup for himself, leisurely finishing it in one gulp.

From beginning to end, he remained detached from the situation.

However, the turmoil caused by Li Tianhan and his son had dissipated.