Chapter 22: Invitation from the Old Lady

As Nie Beihu and Fu Shan appeared one after another, Huang Qianjun realized that the real show was about to begin.

Sure enough, in just a moment, Li Tianhan and his son lost all face and left in embarrassment!

At this moment, when Huang Qianjun noticed the changing gazes directed at Su Yi in the nearby area, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

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

"My father was right. Su Yi is a person who hides his true abilities and cannot be measured by common standards. Otherwise, with the connections he displayed at the Ju Xian Tower yesterday, he wouldn't have needed to stay in the Wen family for a year, becoming a disregarded son-in-law."

Huang Qianjun thought to himself.

After returning home from the Ju Xian Tower yesterday, he had a long discussion with his father, Huang Yunchong.

In the end, they both arrived at the same conclusion: Since Su Yi possessed such great capabilities and was willing to stay in the Wen family, there must be hidden motives behind it!

That's why they came today with Huang Yunchong and didn't actively engage in conversation with Su Yi, fearing that it might cause some commotion and expose some of Su Yi's secrets.

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

Of course, Wen Lingzhao was included as well.

After all, presenting gifts needed a pretext.

Huang Qianjun also noticed that Nie Beihu and Fu Shan had arrived with the same understanding that Su Yi didn't want certain things to be exposed. Therefore, they tacitly "acted" when they came to the banquet!

"All the people in the Wen family probably have no idea that not only my father and I but even Nie Beihu and Fu Shan, these two big figures, came here solely for Su Yi's sake... Haha, this is so interesting!"

Huang Qianjun chuckled.

Little did Su Yi know that Huang Qianjun, this arrogant youth, was so entertained within his heart.

Even if he knew, Su Yi would simply dismiss it with a smile.

Moreover, how could he not see that both Huang Yunchong and his son, as well as Fu Shan and Nie Beihu, came to support him only because of his relationship with Old Master Xiao and Zijin?

"No, they came for the sake of Old Master Xiao and Zijin's face."

Su Yi thought to himself.

With his past life experience, how could he indulge in self-satisfaction over such matters? He didn't even deign to solve problems by relying on others' power.

Ultimately, all of this was simply the result of those individuals acting on their own accord.

In the ancestral hall,

As Li Tianhan and his son left, the previously tense and suppressed atmosphere eased significantly.

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

Today, these two influential figures were like the divine needle that saved the Wen family from danger!

"I have another important matter to attend to, so I won't be participating in this banquet," Fu Shan said with a smile, waving his hand.

Then, he turned and approached Wen Changtai and his wife with a smile.

"Both of you, a distinguished person entrusted me to deliver a gift and asked you to pass it on to Su Yi and his wife," he said, his expression solemn. He then 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 Qinqing were shocked. They stood up abruptly, almost knocking over the table in front of them. They never expected that the esteemed Lord of Guangling City would personally send a gift to their family!

The others in the hall were also stunned, looking at each other in disbelief.

Just moments ago, the patriarch of the Huang family, Huang Yunchong, personally presented the "Nine Leaf King Ginseng" to the Wen family, which was already astonishing. Now, even the city lord himself was doing something like this?

Wen Changjing and other important figures of the Wen family were also dumbfounded. What was happening today? How did the Third Wen family suddenly become so popular?

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

Qinqing's face glowed with radiance. She felt a release and comfort from the grievances and frustrations she had accumulated over the years. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and respectfully saluted, saying, "On behalf of my daughter and son-in-law, I thank you, Lord City Lord, for your great kindness!"

After speaking, she swept her gaze across the stunned faces in the hall, feeling proud and elated. Her lips couldn't help but curl up.

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

Fu Shan said, "No need to thank me. This gift was given by a distinguished person, and I'm just acting as a middleman."

"I dare to ask, Lord Fu, who is this distinguished person?" Qinqing asked curiously.

The others in the hall also perked up their ears.

To be able to command City Lord Fu Shan personally, this distinguished person was certainly not ordinary.

Huang Yunchong vaguely understood and couldn't help but shudder as a name came to mind—

Princess Lingyao!

But Fu Shan smiled and shook his head. "The identity of this distinguished person should not be disclosed. I apologize for being unable to answer. Both of you just need to remember that the gift is for Su Yi and his wife."

Qinqing hurriedly said, "I will personally deliver it to them."

The expressions of the others had become subtly different.

Fu Shan repeatedly emphasized that this gift was intended for Su Yi and his wife, undoubtedly carrying deep meaning.

"Is it because Wen Lingzhao is now a disciple of the Tianyuan Academy? Could it be because of this?"

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the other important figures of the Wen family exchanged glances, subconsciously believing that this gift was closely related to Wen Lingzhao. No one even considered the possibility that it might be connected to Su Yi.

"Captain Nie, please stay here to entertain me. I have other matters to attend to. I bid you farewell," Fu Shan turned around and instructed Nie Beihu before leaving.

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

As they walked out of the hall, when they passed by Su Yi, Fu Shan naturally paused for a moment, his smile warm and gentle. "Young Master Su, I'll take my leave first."

Su Yi nodded.

This scene was witnessed by everyone, and although they were all extremely astonished, they subconsciously believed that Su Yi was receiving special treatment from Fu Shan because of his association with Wen Lingzhao.

Until Fu Shan and his group disappeared from sight, Huang Qianjun couldn't help but whisper in admiration, "Su Bro, among us, you're the one with the most face!"

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

Huang Qianjun stiffened, his face showing a hint of embarrassment. He awkwardly said, "My father severely reprimanded me last night and made me fully understand the gap between me and Su Bro... I... I feel only fear and gratitude in my heart, no hatred."

Su Yi made a sound of acknowledgment and said, "I hope that's how you truly feel."

Listening to their conversation, Wen Lingxue's head became even more confused. The series of events that had happened today seemed too strange...

Although Fu Shan had only stayed briefly and left, his influence remained.

The atmosphere in the ancestral hall became lively once again, and many guests took the initiative to rise and offer toasts and exchange pleasantries with Wen Changtai and his wife.

Wen Changtai, though honest, was not foolish. He understood what was going on and was delighted in his heart.

Qinqing was even more excited, her spirits lifted, and she couldn't hide her inner joy no matter how hard she tried to control herself.

Wen Changjing, Wen Changqing, and the other important figures of the Wen family were also very pleased. Li Tianhan and his son had been defeated, and the crisis had been resolved.

What was even more rare was that with the support of Fu Shan and Nie Beihu, the attitudes of all the guests present underwent subtle changes.

For the previously disadvantaged Wen family, this was undoubtedly a great development!

"Huang Brother, have you completely changed your attitude?" Nie Beihu sat beside Huang Yunchong and casually asked.

"Yesterday, I was blind and foolish, provoking Young Master Su. How could I hold a grudge for that?" Huang Yunchong replied without a trace of resentment.

Huang Yunchong smiled and said, "Thanks to Young Master Su's mercy yesterday, my son and I were spared from greater calamity. I am truly grateful, so I came personally today to wish Lady Wen a happy birthday and to offer a small gift as an apology."

Nie Beihu paused for a moment, deeply looked at Huang Yunchong, and said, "I guess there's something else that Brother Huang hasn't mentioned."

Huang Yunchong raised an eyebrow and asked, "I'm all ears."

Nie Beihu's gaze turned to the hall, landing on Huang Qianjun, who was sitting beside Su Yi. He spoke with deep meaning, "You've probably realized that with Young Master Su's connections, his future prospects are boundless. So, you intend to take advantage of the incident that happened yesterday, using compensation and apologies to establish a relationship with him, am I right?"

Huang Yunchong's eyes slightly narrowed, but he immediately smiled and replied, "Parents love their children, and their plans are far-reaching. I am no exception. Brother Nie, aren't you the same?"

Nie Beihu raised his cup and laughed, "Come, let's drink together."

Wen Lao Taijun, sitting at the head of the table, witnessed all the scenes in the hall, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Today was her eightieth birthday celebration.

So much had happened today.

But she was well aware that the Wen family was able to overcome the crisis only with the help of others.

If they weren't strong enough themselves, this apparent prosperity of the Wen family would only be short-lived!

With this in mind, Wen Lao Taijun's gaze passed through the guests in the hall and looked at a figure standing outside.

The person was dressed in a green robe, slim and elegant, sitting casually, exuding an otherworldly temperament that seemed out of place among the surrounding people.

She took a deep breath, withdrew her gaze, and said to the maid beside her, "Go and bring the daughter-in-law of the Third Family."

The maid quickly obeyed and left.

Shortly after, Qinqing hurriedly arrived, her face full of confusion. She asked, "Grandmother, why did you summon me?"

Wen Lao Taijun's expression turned solemn as she said, "The gifts that Mr. Fu and Chief Huang brought to your family today must not be kept by yourself. After the birthday banquet is over, you must give them to Su Yi."

Qinqing's face slightly changed, and she forced a smile, saying, "Grandmother, you're worrying too much. I won't covet these things. It's just... the gifts are meant for my daughter and son-in-law. If I give them directly to Su Yi..."

The old lady sneered, "I know exactly what you're thinking. Normally, I wouldn't bother with it, but today's matter is different. It's best for you to do as I say!"

Qinqing's body stiffened. She had indeed planned to keep those two gifts for herself. However, after being ordered by the old lady in such a manner, she ultimately dismissed the idea and dejectedly said, "Yes."

After dismissing Qinqing, the old lady stood up and said to the maid beside her, "Go and tell Su Yi to come to the Huaming Hall to see me."

"Yes," the maid replied and went to deliver the message.

Outside the grand hall, when Su Yi learned of the maid's purpose, a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. Did the old lady finally couldn't hold back anymore?

That's good.

The reason he came to attend the birthday banquet today was precisely to have a conversation with her about the past.

"Lead the way," Su Yi finished the wine in his cup, leisurely got up, and followed the maid to the Huaming Hall.