Chapter 246: Chapter 245: Imperial Edict
On this day, the sun shone brightly. Rays of light like shattered gold fell upon people’s faces, feeling pleasantly warm. The people of Phoenix City were all rushing toward the Wen Family estate, for today was the day of the marriage alliance between the Zhang and Wen families. A massive banquet with hundreds of tables had been set up, and everyone wanted to join in the excitement and see the spectacle.
Inside the Wen Family’s antique-filled inner hall.
Wen Tongyu’s face was grim, his eyes brimming with a rage that seemed ready to erupt at any moment.
Yao Qi stood to the side, smiling. "Brother Tongyu, even though you didn’t manage to become the Prince Consort, this girl from the Zhang Family is quite a looker. You’re a lucky man. Why the long face?"
Wen Tongyu snorted coldly. "Hmph, she’s merely a woman from the Zhang Family. You think I care about her?"
Rage spread through Wen Tongyu’s heart, but he had nowhere to vent it.
Yao Qi’s eyes lit up. "Since Brother Tongyu doesn’t care, why not give her to me?"
Hearing Yao Qi’s words, Wen Tongyu shot to his feet. He stared at Yao Qi but said nothing.
Yao Qi leaned in close and whispered, "My Yao Family recently acquired a Celestial Blue Sunflower. You know it’s a Ninth Grade heavenly treasure..."
Upon hearing Yao Qi, Wen Tongyu’s brows furrowed deeply.
"Young Master, most of the guests have arrived. The master asks that you go and entertain them."
But just then, a voice suddenly called out from the entrance.
"Alright, I know. I’m coming," Wen Tongyu replied, then walked briskly out of the room.
Yao Qi chuckled slyly and quickly followed him.
......
The din was deafening, with gongs and drums sounding in unison. It seemed as if all of Phoenix City had gathered at the Wen Family estate; their very doorway looked ready to burst from the crowd.
"Mother, let’s go in," Wen Qingye said softly, supporting Madam Liu by the arm.
Madam Liu glanced at the bustling, noisy scene and, for reasons unknown, let out a soft sigh before nodding.
Wen Qingye led Madam Liu inside at a slow pace. Following behind them were Jie Jiachun and a pale, middle-aged man with effeminate and unusually delicate features.
Wen Xu watched the surrounding crowd, feeling a secret thrill. ’My most beloved son is finally getting married! How could I not be excited?’
Wen Xu smiled at Yao Luojun beside him and said, "Brother, you’ll have to have a few extra drinks with me later."
"But of course. How could I not have a few extra drinks on a joyous occasion like Tongyu’s wedding?" Yao Luojun nodded with a smile.
Only Madam Yao stood to the side with a grim face, not saying a word.
At this moment, the members of the Wen Family were all surrounding Wen Tongyu, offering endless congratulations with fawning smiles. The surrounding guests also flocked forward to congratulate him.
Zhang Hua looked at Wen Tongyu and sighed. "Alas, this whole situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
"And who’s to blame for that?" Gao Ming glanced at Zhang Hua. "If you had honored your promise back then, Wen Qingye would now truly be your outstanding son-in-law."
Zhang Hua nodded, then waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. Let’s not bring up these old matters. Today is supposed to be a joyous occasion, after all."
Standing to one side, Yao Qi’s gaze swept across the crowd and landed on the members of the Liu Family. He smiled coldly and slowly walked over to them.
Yao Qi asked with feigned concern, "I heard your Liu Family was attacked by mysterious experts not long ago?"
An old man with a full head of white hair and a sorrowful expression nodded. "Alas, we don’t know why those experts suddenly attacked our Liu Family. Our family’s Great Elder also died a tragic death in the attack."
The members of the Liu Family behind him all lowered their heads, their expressions grief-stricken.
Liu Wen gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "If I ever find the culprits, I will never let them go!"
A hint of disdain flashed in Yao Qi’s eyes as he said with feigned regret, "Alas, what a pity about Liu Tian..."
"Wen Qingye is here! Wen Qingye is here!"
Just then, a Steward ran in, shouting in a panicked voice.
Wen Qingye!?
Everyone present jolted at the mention of this name, their eyes all turning toward the entrance. Even the members of the Wen Family couldn’t help but turn their gazes to the doorway.
In the Thousand Rivers Secret Land, Wen Qingye had single-handedly defeated countless genius experts from the Sixteen Countries. With just one sword, he had slain so many talented prodigies. Who in the entire Sixteen Countries didn’t know the name Wen Qingye now?
And Wen Qingye was a citizen of the Celestial Martial Country, where his name was even more renowned, resounding like thunder in everyone’s ears.
Admired by countless people!
Held in the highest esteem by multitudes!
After all, the Celestial Martial Country hadn’t produced such a remarkable figure in seven hundred years!
Upon hearing that Wen Qingye had arrived, the faces of Yao Qi, Wen Tongyu, Madam Yao, Yao Luojun, Wen Xu, and the others changed instantly.
Several figures slowly appeared at the entrance of the Wen Family estate. Leading the way were none other than Wen Qingye and Madam Liu.
"Quite lively," Wen Qingye remarked with a light chuckle, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
From head to toe, Wen Qingye remained utterly unflustered, yet he was the focus of everyone’s attention. The crowd couldn’t help but recall the engagement ceremony several months ago when Wen Qingye had been just as composed and indifferent. But now, things felt completely different in their hearts.
Seeing Wen Qingye walk in, everyone subconsciously turned to look at the members of the Wen Family.
Many in the crowd found the situation increasingly laughable. Back when Wen Qingye had yet to display his extraordinary talent, the Wen Family had treated him like a discarded pawn and thrown him to the Zhang Family. And now? Wen Qingye had returned in a blaze of glory after sweeping through the geniuses of the Sixteen Countries. Some among the onlookers sighed with emotion, while others shook their heads and sneered.
The moment Madam Yao saw Wen Qingye, she shot up, her shrill voice seeming to pierce everyone’s eardrums. "Wen Qingye! Madam Liu! What are you two doing here today? I don’t recall you being on the guest list!"
Madam Liu glanced at Madam Yao, her brow furrowed, but she didn’t say a word. Instead, she looked at Wen Xu and said coolly, "I have come today to ask for my letter of divorce."
Everyone was stunned, even the members of the Wen Family were shocked to the core.
Hearing this, Wen Xu nodded. "Fine. I’ll have someone fetch it for you."
Wen Xu turned to a servant girl behind him and gave an order. The girl hurried off toward the rear courtyard.
Zhang Hua whispered from the side, "Wen Xu is certainly decisive. He knows when to cut his losses."
Gao Ming nodded in agreement. Wen Xu’s relationship with Wen Qingye was already beyond repair; it was far more practical to focus on his father-son bond with Wen Tongyu.
A short while later, the servant girl returned, hurrying back with a letter.
Wen Xu took it, glanced over it carefully, then walked to Madam Liu’s side. He handed it to her with a soft sigh.
Madam Liu accepted the letter without looking at it. She turned to Wen Qingye and said, "Qingye, let’s go."
Wen Qingye shook his head. His eyes fell upon Yao Qi and the several Yao Family experts behind him. "It’s so lively here today with so many people," he said. "We might as well take this opportunity to settle all our old scores."
’If we’re going to leave, we’re going to do it in style!’
Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, the effeminate middle-aged man behind him gave a sharp glance, then quickly stepped forward. He calmly swept his eyes over the crowd before turning to Wen Qingye and saying fawningly, "Young Master Wen and your party need not perform the customary courtesies."
Everyone was momentarily confused. ’Who is this man?’
The effeminate man immediately turned, cleared his throat, and shouted to the crowd, "An imperial decree has arrived!"
Everyone was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and immediately fell to their knees.
