Part 2
But who knew that the Fifth Brother, in the prime of his life—they thought it would be at least a hundred years before he gave up the position of family head—would be gone just like that? There hadn’t even been a whisper of news before this.
It was also because they had lived too comfortably these years and hadn’t planted many people in the military that they were caught off guard.
Zong Ling and Mu Jiayi were smiling, as if they really were a loving couple. But when they looked up and saw Elder Xun, just as they were about to smile, they saw Ning Yunyi standing behind Elder Xun with a faint smile. Their expressions froze instantly, and they couldn’t smile anymore.
Mu Jiayi tensed up all over, staring warily at Ning Yunyi: Why is he here? What does he want to do?
Zong Ling’s face was even uglier. Seeing Ning Yunyi reminded him of the other party mentioning Ning Yunyi’s death a few days ago.
He had tried hard to forget, but Ning Yunyi’s appearance was like a thorn stuck in his heart; he couldn’t bring himself to smile.
Zong Father hadn’t noticed anything wrong yet. He bowed respectfully to Elder Xun, polite and courteous. “Welcome, Elder Xun. Thank you for making this trip.”
Although Elder Xun no longer managed high-level military affairs, his age and seniority were there, and he would be needed in the future.
Elder Xun’s expression was exceptionally indifferent. He glanced coldly at Zong Ling and Mu Jiayi. “Is that so? But it looks to me like your son doesn’t welcome this old man very much.”
Zong Father looked back and frowned immediately. “Zong Ling, what’s the matter with you? This is your Grandpa Xun!”
Zong Ling hurriedly restrained his expression. “Grandpa Xun, it’s not what you think. I was just… a little surprised to see this Mr. Bai.”
Elder Xun: “Mr. Bai is my honored guest. What, are you dissatisfied with my guest?”
Now, not only Zong Ling but also Mu Jiayi changed color.
What is this guy’s background? Hao Yan is respectful to him, and now even Elder Xun is…
Just as Zong Ling wanted to explain, an excited voice suddenly rang out: “Mr. Bai!”
That high-pitched shout made everyone turn their heads. They saw the Director of the Ancient Research Institute, who usually had his nostrils in the air and was so aloof he seemed to look down on everything… actually running towards them with a face full of joy. His target was… this redhead.
Even Zong Father was shocked. Who is this person?
Director Gu had heard about the card Mr. Bai mentioned yesterday and immediately sent someone to inquire. Good heavens, District F had such good stuff, and yet no one in District A knew!
But thinking about it, if they encountered something they couldn’t get enough of themselves, they would definitely hide it. One district was crazy enough, and it was limited! They definitely wouldn’t tell anyone.
But now he! Possessed two cards! Unlimited!
Thinking that he would rush to District F immediately after settling the Zong family matter, he would definitely make Elder Tang die of envy! That old boy showed off cumin seeds to him; just wait until he tempts him to death with barbecue skewers and braised pork!
Naturally, Director Gu couldn’t mention the cards in front of so many people. He shook Ning Yunyi’s hand with such enthusiasm that he looked ready to become sworn brothers on the spot.
The crowd’s expressions were complicated and weird. Good heavens, Director Gu isn’t even this enthusiastic when he sees the Third Prince, right?
Speak of the devil. Not far away, the Third Prince, who had just been left behind, and a young man with blond hair and blue eyes were looking at this scene with surprise.
Seeing this, Zong Father and the others hurried forward to pay their respects. “Greetings, Your Highness the Third Prince. Greetings, Your Grace the Duke.”
The Third Prince gently told them not to be so polite.
Duke Clay opened his fan and fanned himself slowly, looking Ning Yunyi up and down with curiosity. “Elder Gu, aren’t you going to introduce this gentleman?”
Director Gu retracted his enthusiasm, pretending to be profound. “Mr. Bai? How about you introduce yourself?”
Everyone assumed the two were very familiar. In reality, only Ning Yunyi knew that Director Gu had no idea who he was, so how could he introduce him?
Ning Yunyi knew that with the status of these people, he couldn’t hide it anyway, so he said frankly, “Greetings to you all. I am Bai, a commoner. I haven’t been in the First Star for long. By a stroke of luck, I am temporarily acting as the City Lord of the West Underground City in District F.”
Elder Tang narrowed his eyes. A moment ago, he looked down on Old Gu for fawning over a young man, but now he was stunned. “Is that barbecue skewer and braised pork thing from your Underground City?”
The others were startled. “What skewers? What braised pork?”
Ning Yunyi smiled. “It was a helpless move to attract some people to the Underground City.”
Elder Tang savored the taste he had yesterday. He had just found out about it too; after all, District F was too far from District A. His butler had searched everywhere for food before finding that place.
The result was heavenly, but unfortunately limited.
He had planned to have the butler send more people to camp out early this morning.
He hadn’t expected to meet the owner here?
Thinking of the cumin seeds Elder Xun sent over earlier, his eyes lit up: Could this be the person who gave me the cumin seeds?
Realizing something, he looked sharply at Director Gu.
Director Gu couldn’t show off blatantly, but he could dazzle this old man to death. He silently and low-key unfolded the two cards with a swish, flashing them beside his face, looking so smug he seemed ready to fly.
Elder Tang quickly clutched his chest: He… he missed out on a fortune? Heavens, why did he abstain? He should do whatever Mr. Bai asks him to do!
Ning Yunyi didn’t know what everyone was thinking. Soon, the Zong family welcomed everyone into the main hall.
To prevent any long nights and many dreams, Zong Father felt the atmosphere today wasn’t quite right and feared something might happen, so he glanced at the butler.
The butler immediately began to prepare for the ceremony.
Elder Tang hadn’t performed well earlier and felt he needed to remedy the situation.
He had just asked about the skewers and braised pork, and that old man Gu took out two cards. If he didn’t understand now, he would have lived all these years in vain.
So just as the butler was about to speak, Elder Tang coughed. “Although I came this time, there are some things I must say.”
Zong Ling was already standing in the head position, with Zong Father beside him. In the first row of seats below were the six specially invited notaries. The moment Elder Tang spoke, Zong Ling’s fingers trembled.
For some reason, he felt uneasy. This uneasiness had surged the moment he saw that Mr. Bai and hadn’t subsided since.
Everyone looked at Elder Tang in unison.
Zong Father forced a smile. “Elder Tang, what do you wish to say?”
Elder Tang stroked his beard. “Originally, today is a family matter of the Zong family, and this old man shouldn’t meddle. But as an elder who watched Marshal Zong grow up… Although the Tang and Zong families haven’t interacted much these years, in the past, my relationship with your father, the old Zong family head, was quite close. Since your Zong family invited me here as a notary this time, it’s obviously giving face to this old man and recognizing me as the current head of the Tang family. Then I’ll rely on my seniority to say this: Marshal Zong’s life or death is still uncertain. You are so anxious to choose a new family head; I do not approve. I vote against it.”
Elder Tang looked down on the conduct of these Zong family juniors, but he could understand the Zong family’s fear of being squeezed out of the three major noble families if something happened to Marshal Zong.
Understanding was one thing; looking down on it was another.
If not for Mr. Bai’s matter, he really hadn’t planned to interfere. After all, if he reached too far, the Zong family would inevitably say the Tang family had thoughts of swallowing the Zong family.
But these words were not worth mentioning in the face of those craving delicacies.
He didn’t know how long he could live at his age. Let the children and grandchildren have their own fortune; he just craved a bite to eat. Having worked hard for the Tang family for so long, it wasn’t too much to ask, right?
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thanks for the chapter! 💖💖💖