The Huang family mansion was adorned with festive lanterns and adorned with large red "囍" characters everywhere. As dawn broke, guests invited by the Huang family began arriving in an endless stream.
Old Madam Huang, her face beaming, stood at the entrance, greeting the arriving guests.
It was worth noting that the Huang family had only recently become a prominent family. Since achieving that status, they had never organized such a grand event.
Therefore, this wedding was exceptionally important to the Huang family. The head of the family was getting married, and his wife had already given birth to a son, which filled Old Madam Huang with joy.
After all, she placed great importance on rules and order for the continuation of the family lineage. It was a desperate measure to groom Huang Haibo as the young family head. Who could blame her when Su Haiqing, that wretched woman, couldn't produce a son? The thought of Su Haiqing and her daughter filled Old Madam Huang with anger.
Shaking her head, she reminded herself that today was a joyous occasion, and she shouldn't dwell on such inauspicious matters.
However, Old Madam Huang still felt a subtle sense of unease. Bai Hao, whom she had dispatched, had sent no news all day, which worried her.
"Mother, Master Niu and Master Zhu have arrived!" Huang Shigui's voice cut in from the side.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Huang's eyes immediately lit up. She looked towards the approaching figures of the heads of the Niu and Zhu families and felt a surge of delight. It seemed their cooperation with these two families was not in vain. The personal attendance of the two elder masters showed great respect to their Huang family.
"Oh my, why have you two old brothers arrived so early? You are the most esteemed guests and should have appeared last." Old Madam Huang quickly stepped forward with a smile.
"Hahaha, most esteemed guests? We old folks are just here to join the fun. The head of the Huang family is getting married today; it's a joyous occasion!" Master Zhu said with a laugh. He appeared more vigorous than Master Niu, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, walking with the gait of a much younger man.
"Indeed, our three families are cooperating. By rights, we should celebrate. Coincidentally, we can use today's occasion to have a grand celebration," Master Niu added.
The three elders gathered, and Old Madam Huang led the two masters into the courtyard.
"Brothers, we will be greatly indebted to your families today. The Ouyang family has gone too far. I fear they won't allow the Huang family to hold this wedding peacefully," Old Madam Huang whispered, her face flickering with anger.
"No matter! Madam, rest assured today. With us two here, even if Old Master Ouyang were alive, he wouldn't dare to be presumptuous!" Master Niu sneered. Before the Ouyang family rose to prominence, the foremost family in the southeast had always been their Niu family!
Consequently, after the Ouyang family became the leading family, the Niu family was demoted to second place. This filled everyone in the Niu family with hostility towards the Ouyang family, and the two families often clashed.
The Niu family particularly enjoyed doing things that would embarrass the Ouyang family. Therefore, when Old Madam Huang mentioned dealing with the Ouyang family, Master Niu agreed without a second thought.
"That's right. Today, our two families have brought plenty of guards. When the Ouyang family arrives, no matter what methods they use, we will not fear them! This southeastern region is not solely under the Ouyang family's dominion," Master Zhu also chimed in.
"Then thank you, brothers. It is an honor for our Huang family to cooperate with your two families," Old Madam Huang said with a smile, her heart brimming with happiness. With the assurances from these two, she could finally put her mind at ease.
Perhaps this was the opportune moment to let the entire southeast know the name of her Huang family! Old Madam Huang thought to herself. A third-rate prominent family was far from enough for her; it was merely the beginning. Their Huang family's path would be longer and farther!
Leading the two masters to the most central seats at the banquet, Old Madam Huang chatted with them. Meanwhile, the members of the Huang family, seeing this, also felt relieved and greeted the day's guests with even more enthusiasm.
Time flew by. By now, the Huang family mansion was filled with distinguished guests. They had invited every prominent family in the southeastern region that they could reach.
When Huang Shigui and Bai Jie, the bride and groom, appeared before everyone, the atmosphere in the hall instantly reached its peak.
Old Madam Huang subconsciously glanced towards the entrance. Seeing the empty space outside, she breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Ouyang family also knew how to weigh their options. They hadn't appeared yet, so perhaps they wouldn't show up today?
Thinking this, Old Madam Huang felt immense pride and satisfaction. This was the Huang family she had built, progressing from obscurity to daring to challenge the Ouyang prominent family. All this credit was hers!
"The mistress of the Huang family, with a generous gift, congratulates the Huang family's head on his wedding!" Suddenly, a shout from outside the main gate shattered the wedding's ambiance.
Li Xiaotian pushed Su Haiqing forward. Behind him followed Long Yi, the head of the Ouyang family, Ouyang Zhen, and Ouyang Feng. Trailing behind them were five individuals, including Bai Hao, with their heads bowed.
"Mistress of the Huang family, Su Haiqing? What is going on?" Whispers erupted throughout the banquet hall. Some families, not having had much contact with the Huang family before, did not recognize Su Haiqing.
"Oh, her? I heard she eloped with a scoundrel, bringing shame to the Huang family. That's why the Huang family head is preparing to marry someone else."
"Hmph! Just a vile woman. I heard from the Huang family that this woman has a venomous heart and was quite unruly when she was with the Huang family, causing chaos."
"Yes, yes, I also heard from the Huang family that after marrying into the Huang family, this woman didn't properly fulfill her duties as the family's lady but instead tried by every means to transfer the Huang family's assets to her own name. It's truly disgusting."
"The Huang family is too kind-hearted. For such a wicked woman, I say they should have simply divorced her with a decree!"
In the venue, people buzzed with discussions. However, the appearance of the Ouyang father and son surprised many. They were walking with Su Haiqing; could they be allies?
"Su Haiqing, you insolent woman! You eloped with a scoundrel and disgraced my Huang family. I, Huang Shigui, already divorced you. How dare you come to the Huang family? And how dare you still claim to be the mistress of the Huang family?"
Huang Shigui stood on the wedding stage, looking at Su Haiqing with immense anger, his voice booming.
"Su Haiqing, has your conscience been eaten by dogs? My Huang family treated you well! You disgraced our family, and we didn't pursue it, letting you have your way. What is the meaning of your arrival now? Do you intend to disrupt the wedding?" Old Madam Huang also stood up, her face filled with grief and indignation. This drew sympathy from everyone present, making them instinctively see the old woman as a good person, a kind elder.
"Su Haiqing, you vile woman, get out! Our Huang family does not welcome you!" a member of the Huang family shouted.
Li Xiaotian watched the reactions of everyone in the hall, his gaze growing colder. He was furious!