"Er Ya, what are you doing?" Xia Qingtian frowned immediately, "How many times have I told you! Can you act like a girl? Can't you learn from my Qingyu!"
Hearing Xia Qingtian's voice, Er Ya immediately retracted her suspended leg, nimbly climbed down from Xia Shang, and then tightly hugged Xia Shang's arm, pouting coquettishly at Xia Qingtian, "Qingtian~ Miao Tong bullied me! He said he's going to introduce a girlfriend to Xia Shang! And a lady from a prominent family! I'm so angry!"
"Of course! Big Brother is the future head of the Miao family, how can he marry a monkey like you!" Miao Tong's short hair was messy, clearly already suffering from Er Ya's "poisonous hands." He was even more enraged, "Tang Er Ya, you'll never enter my Miao family's door in this life! If my Big Brother marries you! I! I, Miao Tong, will write my name backward! I! I'll stream myself washing my hair while doing a handstand!"
"Don't talk as if we Tang family members are eager to marry into your Miao family!" a cold female voice carrying a murderous intent interjected, "If your Miao family wants to propose to a woman from my Tang family, go reincarnate first!"
This voice caused the explosive situation to immediately drop to freezing point.
Miao Tong hadn't reacted yet, but Er Ya, uncharacteristically, let go of his arm and quickly rushed towards the speaker, "Da Ya~"
"Good girl." Tang Youxi reached out and rubbed Er Ya's head, then looked coldly at Mrs. Miao, "I didn't know your Miao family invited the Tang family over with such an attitude."
Not only was Tang Youxi's expression stern, but the Tang family members who followed her also had grim expressions.
It seemed as if if the Miao family said anything unpleasant at that moment, a fight would break out immediately, ending in death.
"Weren't we here to discuss the treasure map?" Xia Qingtian, seeing the situation was not right, immediately said, "It's rare for the Lu, Miao, and Tang families to reunite. Let's discuss the main business first."
Hearing Xia Qingtian say this, Tang Youxi glanced at her, then shifted her gaze to Lu Yaoyang, her expression easing slightly.
Mrs. Miao also said, "Please, upstairs."
Xia Qingtian and Lu Yaoyang led the way upstairs. Tang Youxi then glared at a somewhat awkward Miao Tong, pulled Er Ya, who still wanted to jump onto Xia Shang, and followed them upstairs.
"Da Ya..." Er Ya dangled Tang Youxi's arm, acting coquettishly. She didn't want to attend a meeting.
Although she hadn't attended a meeting, she had heard Old Tang talk about how boring meetings were.
In Old Tang's words: A group of people looking like humans, talking in circles, and not saying a single sensible thing.
How smelly that would be...
Er Ya had been fortunate at the time, thinking she was just a contract temp and wouldn't have to attend meetings.
Who knew that this thing, after dodging the initial peril, couldn't escape the latter, and was still caught by Tang Youxi.
"Be good." Tang Youxi also felt annoyed looking at Er Ya like this. Miao Tong's words were so unpleasant, and her Tang family daughters were not as cheap as the Miao family described them!
Er Ya looked up at the back of Xia Qingtian's head with a dejected expression, estimating that Xia Qingtian couldn't help her at the moment. She then looked back at Xia Shang.
Fortunately, as the next family head, Xia Shang was also supposed to attend this meeting, walking at the very end with Miao Tong and Mrs. Miao, not too far away.
Upon meeting Er Ya's gaze, Xia Shang's lips twitched slightly. His thin lips moved, and his stern eyebrows and eyes curved into a smile.
Despite the somewhat peculiar smile, it made Er Ya's face subtly blush: Xia Shang was coaxing her, saying she was a good girl.
With Xia Shang's silent reassurance, Er Ya immediately became much more obedient, following Tang Youxi obediently.
The Miao family seemed to take this reunion meeting of the Lu, Miao, and Tang families very seriously.
The venue was chosen in the reception room on the top floor of the Miao family's residence, connected to a study. Upon entering, one could see a floor-to-ceiling window, offering a broad view and bright light. Thin sheer curtains were tied to the sides of the windows with green silk, and golden tassels hung down, creating a grand and not dull color scheme.
Chairs, a small square table, and teacups were already set up. Professors Miao and Tang, as well as Xia Shang's father and another elder from the Miao family, were already seated.
As soon as Xia Qingtian entered, she greeted Professors Tang and Miao, and was introduced to another elder of the Miao family by Mr. Miao. After the Tang family and Mrs. Miao entered, everyone took their seats.
The meeting officially began.
"This meeting today is first to allow everyone to meet the descendant of the Lu family," Professor Miao said, nudging the tea leaves in his cup with the lid of his teacup, his tone flat, "and second, to discuss matters concerning the treasure map."
"So the treasure map was kept by the Lu family. Since the Lu family now has a successor, it can continue to be kept by the Lu family. I have no objections," Professor Tang replied.
These two were elders of the Miao and Tang families, and their words naturally carried weight. Their opinions could now represent the opinions of both the Tang and Miao clans.
"Since it's settled like this, let's adjourn." Professors Miao and Tang were not the type to enjoy meetings. After discussing this matter, they wanted to leave.
"Please wait, the two professors." Xia Qingtian couldn't let them adjourn just like that. "There's still something I'd like to say."
Professor Miao heard Xia Qingtian's words and didn't say anything, merely sat back down.
"Tsk." Professor Tang showed slight impatience, glancing at Xia Qingtian, "You're always full of ideas. Speak, what new scheme are you up to now?"
"It's nothing, just a small suggestion." Xia Qingtian said with a smile, "Why don't we dig up that treasure?"
Everyone fell silent. After a while, Professor Tang's mouth twitched, "What? Dig it up? And you call that a small suggestion?!"
"Yes," Xia Qingtian said, "In any case, the treasure is already being targeted. The treasure map, or the treasure itself, is a source of trouble."
"If the Lu family is worried about encountering any more accidents, the treasure map can also be kept by the Miao family," Professor Miao pondered. The Miao family members secretly nodded in understanding.
After all, the Lu family had gone through such an ordeal, and it was already remarkable that anyone survived. To ask the Lu family to protect the treasure map again at this time was understandable if they were unwilling.
"Nonsense! Are your Miao family trying to hog it all!" Professor Tang immediately said, and other Tang family members also secretly nodded.
The Tang family did not believe the Miao family to be understanding or responsible people.
"You Tang family are judging gentlemen with the heart of a villain!" another elder from the Miao family said unhappily, "We just want to manage it on your behalf, we never thought of taking it all!"
"If your Tang family has any ideas, just say them! Why engage in such schemes," Mr. Miao said coldly.
"Our Tang family's idea is that your Miao family is untrustworthy!" an elder from the Tang family stated, "If someone must guard the treasure map, besides the Lu family, it should be our Tang family!"
"I think your Tang family is untrustworthy!" the Miao family members also became indignant, why were they being looked down upon like this!
"So..." Xia Qingtian's voice drowned out the others, then she added playfully, "Let's just dig it up then~"
Hearing Xia Qingtian's words, everyone fell silent again. After a while, Professor Miao was the first to look at Lu Yaoyang and ask, "What do you think?"
Hearing Professor Miao's question, everyone turned their gaze to Lu Yaoyang.
"Dig," Lu Yaoyang said, looking at everyone, "Not only should we dig it up, but we should also publicize it widely and dig it up with great fanfare."
"???" Everyone was completely bewildered by this remark.