The news of the Ye family being surrounded quickly spread.
No one knew the exact reason.
But given the situation tonight, these people should currently be at the Ye residence; otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for so many to surround the entire estate so completely.
Many were watching, eager to see the Ye family humiliated.
As the foremost of the Ten Great Families, the Ye family boasted a heritage of nearly two hundred years, with a foundation and influence far beyond what other families could measure.
Furthermore, within the reclusive families, the Ye family held a significant position.
The Ye family had originally been a reclusive family, only stepping into the public eye due to the changing times. They had spent decades establishing a high status and had continued to maintain it.
In the military.
They were not unwilling to intervene, but they were simply unable to.
Initially, the military had prohibited members of prominent families from joining, to prevent personal misuse of power. This ban had been lifted in recent years, but in such a short time, without significant military merit, promotion was impossible. However, this did not prevent them from garnering support from high-ranking officials.
Therefore, the Ye family had to allocate most of their resources to civil officials, with the highest position held by the Ye family patriarch.
The Ye family patriarch was currently one of the key figures in the Supreme Department, a position of considerable power.
Yet, the Supreme Department was merely an executive body under the Hall of Honor.
It was not simple for the patriarch to enter the Hall of Honor.
Consequently, if today's incident was not handled well and caused significant repercussions, it would also affect the patriarch's career. This was why Ye Nantian absolutely would not put any pressure on the patriarch.
This was precisely why such a banquet was set up.
Since they wished to drink, he would humor them and drink with them.
"Marshal Qin, Marshal Lin, please, sit down and have a drink. Since you've come to my Ye family, don't say I haven't hosted you well."
Ye Nantian approached them, chuckling with a seemingly harmless smile.
They paid him no mind, stumbling over drunkenly to drape an arm around Ye Nantian's shoulders. With a wine bottle in his other hand, he gestured towards Ye Nantian's face and said, "Hahaha, good brother, you know we... *hiccup*... didn't drink enough."
After the group sat down at the table, they completely disregarded Ye Nantian, chatting and boasting in front of him. Xuanwu also emerged, sitting at the table, and continued to drink.
"Damn it, Yuan Gang, what were you thinking with that proposal? A new official always starts with three fires, and you've gone and poured a barrel of gasoline on yourself, completely burning yourself. Tell me, what were you thinking? Do you have some serious issues?"
"Brother Lin, you don't understand. I'm also struggling. The boss left after handing over a pile of messes, and I have to take responsibility. Do you think I wanted this? The Dragon Pavilion has had a difficult time over the years, and so have I!"
"Marshal Qin, how about you introduce your brother's son to my sister? Look at my sister, even though she's joined the army, her skin is so tender. Tsk tsk. My sister is so capable, beautiful, and can fight, she can really fight. Following my sister, you definitely won't lose out."
"Mo Xuanwu, are you looking for death? Come on, we have to spar today!"
"I was wrong, sister, I was wrong! Don't hit my face, ahhh, it hurts, it hurts! Don't hit my face!"
The group acted as if they were at home, with Ye Nantian sitting at the head of the table, merely watching their performance.
Meanwhile, outside.
Xiao Zhan, Hei Long, Ning Qi, and other principal officers and their deputies had all arrived.
The lowest-ranking soldiers in the Dragon Pavilion held a military rank of one star and two bars. The combined military ranks of all the forces present were even more numerous than the stars above the Ye family tonight.
"Our Dragon Pavilion's Acting Pavilion Master is currently at the Ye family. Soldiers of the Dragon Pavilion, receive your orders: storm the Ye family!"
"Imperial Guards, receive your orders: upon entering the Ye family, anyone who obstructs you will be killed without mercy!"
"Defense Forces, receive your orders..."
Following the pronouncements, a group of people smashed through the main gate and entered in orderly fashion.
When the dozens, even hundreds, of principal officers and their deputies entered the courtyard, they found that the top figures they were urgently searching for were all there, chatting and boasting, with even a display of familial bloodline suppression unfolding beside them.
Xuan Niao was beating Xuan Wu, and Xuan Wu was utterly incapable of fighting back.
Principal officers and deputies: "..."
It seemed they weren't really needed?
This thought crossed everyone's minds. The group exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what to say.
They appeared to be in harmony, with only Ye Nantian unable to join the conversation.
"Marshal Lin, we should go home. The little princess is already causing a ruckus at home."
"Marshal Qin, let's go home and drink, shall we? Don't you think drinking here feels rather strange?"
"Brother Ye, your wife is here."
The principal officers subordinate to each of them began to persuade them, and before they could speak, they were being dragged away.
Just as they were about to drag them away, a graceful figure appeared at the doorway. The newcomer's face was stern, and an aura radiated from her, as if she possessed her own halo.
"Sister-in-law."
"Greetings, sister-in-law."
"Greetings, sister-in-law."
Everyone stopped what they were doing, saluting respectfully and calling out.
The Dragon Pavilion soldiers even drew their swords, their cold gleam evident, as if fearing the Ye family would make a move, and assumed a defensive posture.
Ye Nantian: "..."
Was it really necessary? He hadn't made any move, why such a reaction!
Mu Hanqi surveyed the scene, her gaze falling upon Ye Nantian. She offered a slight apology, "I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you."
Ye Nantian smiled, "No need to mind. Speaking of which, Ye Longlin is also a member of my Ye family. Coming back here is like coming home, isn't it?"
Mu Hanqi said nothing. She walked over to Ye Longlin's side, looking down at him. Her eyes fixed on him, making Ye Longlin feel guilty.
"Let's talk when we get home... Don't make a scene... Save me some face outside."
The group expected Ye Longlin to say something defiant, but all that came out was a meek surrender, which greatly surprised them!
This was the former Heavenly King, the former Dragon Lord!
And he was a henpecked husband??
"You have the nerve to tell me to talk when we get home? I just went to the kitchen to get you hangover soup, and when I turned around, you were all gone!"
After speaking, Mu Hanqi looked at the others, her brows furrowed, "I'm telling you all, if you ever encourage Ye Longlin to drink like this again, don't blame me for not giving you face..."
She paused, and seeing that no one spoke, she roared, "Did you hear me!!"
Everyone shrunk back in fear. Yuan Gang, puffing out his chest, said, "Y-yes, sister-in-law."
As soon as Yuan Gang spoke, Mu Hanqi seemed to find a vent for her anger and slapped Yuan Gang directly on the head, roaring, "Especially you, how dare you! Huh? Knowing your brother was injured and couldn't drink, you still..."
Seemingly realizing she had said something wrong, Mu Hanqi immediately fell silent.
Then, she cast her gaze around at the principal officers and bellowed, "What are you all waiting for? Hurry up and take them back!!"
The group jolted as if startled.
Hiss.
How terrifying, how frightening.
Even this formidable figure was henpecked. Oh my.
The group dared not linger, quickly dragging their respective leaders away. Hei Long even knocked Yuan Gang unconscious with a palm strike and fled as if being chased, disappearing in a flash.
Mu Hanqi then helped Ye Longlin up and prepared to leave.
Ye Nantian watched the scene unfold calmly. He stood up and slowly said, "My esteemed guests, it seems rather improper to arrive and then immediately depart. Where does that leave my Ye family's reputation?"
"Miss Murong, even as the little princess of the Murong family, you cannot simply come and go as you please."
As his words fell, the soldiers of the Dragon Pavilion who had drawn their swords stepped forward in unison. Their killing intent surged like a tidal wave, leaving Ye Nantian like a small boat on a vast ocean, tossed by the wind.
"Then, what is the meaning of Patriarch Ye's words?"
Mu Hanqi narrowed her eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.
Ye Nantian smiled faintly, "My meaning is, Ye Longlin is a member of my Ye family. He will surely attend the ancestral worship ceremony seven days from now, won't he?"
Mu Hanqi pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Naturally."
Ye Nantian smiled benignly, "I have already instructed the kitchen to prepare hangover soup. Would you like them to have some before they depart?"
Mu Hanqi replied, "No need. I fear it might be poisoned."
With that, she left directly.
The soldiers who had entered the estate in orderly fashion also withdrew.
After they departed, Ye Nantian's expression turned extremely grim, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
Today, after their visit, he had gained a clearer understanding.
These people had come to cause trouble, or rather, they had specifically come to slap the Ye family's face, gradually diminish their influence, and also to test the Ye family's attitude.
Since that was the case, why should he not go along with it and have them attend their clan's ancestral worship ceremony?
Moreover, Ye Longlin was inherently a member of the Ye family.
Given the previous convention that family disciples could not join the army or enter high-ranking positions in the military, if news of Ye Longlin being a Ye family member were to be released, it would definitely have an impact on his influence after his retirement.
Since they had come to humiliate the Ye family and reduce their influence, why should he not reduce their influence?
"Spread the word that Ye Longlin is the orphan of my elder brother, and my Ye family intends to welcome back the direct lineage of the Ye family."
Ye Nantian clasped his hands behind his back, gazing towards the doorway, his eyes narrowed and a cold smile playing on his lips.
Housekeeper Fang bowed slightly, "Yes!"
Outside, convoys began to depart.
Inside a Maybach, Ye Longlin expelled the alcohol from his system, waved away the lingering scent of wine, and looked deeply in the direction of the Ye family, his eyes narrowed.
"Ye Longlin! Can you at least inform me about these kinds of things in the future? Do you know how worried I was when I came out and found you all gone?"
Mu Hanqi's eyes were slightly red as she looked at Ye Longlin. Inside, she had almost lost her composure, but she had managed to hold it together; otherwise, tonight's plan would have failed.
Hearing this, Ye Longlin reached out and wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"I promise, I won't keep things from you anymore, alright? I'll discuss everything with you first, okay? I'm fine, don't cry, be good."