Everyone turned their attention toward the source of the voice, and when they saw that it was the grand elder of Miaodan Pavilion, Ge Ming, there was an immediate shift in the room. Miaodan Pavilion, like the City Lord’s mansion, usually stayed neutral and kept itself apart from family feuds, so for Ge Ming to speak in favor of the Tang family was unusual and raised suspicions.
The other three major families exchanged uneasy glances. If the Tang family truly had such strong ties to Miaodan Pavilion, the family that was historically the weakest could very well become a formidable force.
Tang Laozi hadn’t expected anyone to speak up for the Tang family at this point, and he gave a subtle nod to Ge Ming in gratitude.
"I think we should let this go," said Liu Wuhui, knowing full well that pressing the issue further would be an affront to Miaodan Pavilion, a powerful entity that the Liu family could not afford to challenge.
A collective sigh of resignation swept through the room. Since Miaodan Pavilion was backing the Tang family, and with Liu Laozi’s stance, what had started as a thrilling spectacle was effectively defused.
The City Lord had yet to appear, partly because the guests hadn't fully arrived and partly because he wanted to observe how Tang Yan would handle the awkwardness of not having a seat.
Lin Xiao had already pondered how Tang Yan might solve the issue, but all the solutions he considered seemed like they would fail to recover the seat that belonged to the Tang family.
What Lin Xiao hadn’t expected was that Tang Yan would play the situation so unconventionally. Not only did he strike the members of the Qian family within the City Lord’s mansion, but he also didn't hesitate to take action when his grandfather, Tang Laozi, showed no qualms about striking the younger members of the Qian family.
More surprising was that Miaodan Pavilion had come to the Tang family's defense. What hidden agenda was at play here?
It seemed that Tang Yan had made a foolish move, but with a series of unexpected events, what could have escalated into a major confrontation had been smoothly diffused, and the Tang family had emerged victorious.
Just as everyone thought the matter was settling, a sharp voice rang out in the hall: “What a bunch of nonsense from the Four Great Families. When your dogs get beaten, you don’t dare to say a word. If something happens one day, I suppose we’ll just be out of luck, wasting all these years of loyalty.”
Tang Yan’s seemingly casual remark disrupted the atmosphere again.
The reference to “dogs getting beaten” was clearly aimed at the Qian family, who had just been humiliated. The phrase implied that the Qian family had been loyal dogs to the Liu family, which struck a nerve.
The laughter that had filled the hall turned to awkwardness, as Tang Yan had clearly highlighted the strained relationship between the Qian and Liu families. The alliances were no longer so clear-cut, and the other families watching were now forced to reconsider their own relationships with the Liu family.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Liu Laozi’s face darkened. This young Tang boy was incredibly cunning.
But now that things had escalated this far, confronting the Tang family would mean directly opposing Miaodan Pavilion, which was not something they could afford to do. This slight against the Qian family would have to be swallowed.
"Impressive!" The City Lord, Lin Xiao, clapped his hands in approval. He silently marveled at how Tang Yan had handled the situation. The atmosphere had shifted from tension to a precarious balance, with Tang Yan orchestrating a masterstroke.
Tang Yan nonchalantly took a seat at the front table, and Liu Zhi, with a slight smirk, eyed him. “Ah, so it’s you, Tang Yan. I’m sorry for the last time when I accidentally hit you.”
“Haha, last time there was Miss Lin present, so I held back. But it’s been just a few days, and I’ve already given your brothers Liu Yuan and Liu Quan a good beating. Soon, I’ll pay your whole family a visit,” Tang Yan responded with a smile.
Liu Zhi’s expression turned colder as he glanced at Tang Yan, his voice low and filled with malice: “I look forward to that day. I hope you’re not planning on making me wait until the next life.”
“You’re the first person I’ve met who actively wants to get beaten,” Tang Yan shot back with a sarcastic grin, pushing Liu Zhi to the edge of fury.
Just as Liu Zhi was about to lash out, a cheerful voice interrupted the tension: “Haha, I’m so grateful to have everyone gathered here today. It truly makes the City Lord’s mansion shine!”
Everyone immediately shifted their attention to Lin Xiao and his wife, who had entered the hall. The earlier atmosphere of tension and confrontation melted away, and the room filled with warm greetings and laughter.
“Today is my birthday, and I thank you all for coming. Please, drink freely and enjoy yourselves. Let me first offer a toast to everyone!” Lin Xiao’s wife gracefully raised her cup and drank in one swift motion.
“Cheers!” The guests responded in unison, raising their glasses and joining in the merriment, the tension now a distant memory.
As the guests settled, Liu He, the head of the Liu family, stood and bowed to Lin Xiao and his wife. “On this joyous occasion of Madam Lin’s birthday, my Liu family offers this humble gift: two deep-sea night pearls! These pearls, collected by our Liu family, glow as bright as day when placed in a room at night. They also release an aura that soothes the mind and promotes good health. It is a modest gift, but we offer it with all our respect.”
Liu He handed over a wooden box, opened it, and revealed two pearls the size of a fist. Even in the daylight, they emitted a soft glow, clearly rare and valuable.
“Liu He, you are too kind,” Lin Xiao responded, his eyes gleaming with appreciation.
The Qin family followed suit, presenting a Blue Ice Sword, crafted three hundred years ago by the famed blacksmith Lan Jin. It was known for its sharp blade and its ability to enhance the wielder’s qi flow, improving their combat capabilities.
The Wu family presented a fine silk vest made from hundred-year-old ice silkworms, claiming that it kept the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer, and was resistant to both extreme cold and heat.
The gifts from the three families amazed everyone, who marveled at the extravagant wealth and rarity of the items. Many had only heard of such treasures but had never seen them in person. The lavishness of the gifts from the major families left the room in awe.
The eyes of the guests turned to Tang Laozi, eagerly awaiting what the Tang family would offer.
As soon as Tang Laozi heard the offerings from the Liu family, his heart sank. He realized that the gifts were far more valuable than the typical offerings for a birthday celebration. When the Qin family presented their rare gift, it became clear that the three families had likely coordinated in advance to outshine the Tang family and make them look inadequate.
Sure enough, when the Wu family presented their treasure, Tang Laozi’s suspicions were confirmed. He inwardly cursed the three families but was also extremely anxious. The Tang family had only brought ten first-grade, high-quality pills. Although these were valuable compared to the offerings of smaller families, they paled in comparison to the other gifts.
Tang Laozi was now deeply worried that the City Lord would look down on the Tang family for their insufficient gift and hold it against them.