Chapter 656 Setting a Trap
The matter of Zhuque was something everyone already knew.
But in everyone's eyes, Zhuque was merely a former member of the Zhu family, cast out over a decade ago. Her return now, with such audacity, must mean she had a request for the Zhu family.
However, no one had ever dared to imagine that Old Master Zhu would personally go out to greet this junior.
Upon hearing their sarcastic remarks, Zhuque merely snorted and ignored them.
"Stop sitting around here, let's eat first. We have some things to discuss with you after the meal."
Although everyone was curious about what the Old Master wanted to discuss, since he had made such an arrangement, they didn't press further.
However, as everyone took their seats, their gazes all fell upon the positions of Zhuque and the stranger.
These two, were actually seated at the main table!
"Why should Zhuque be at that table? Dad, aren't you going to say something to the Old Master?"
The one speaking was Zhu Zhen, one of the third generation of the Zhu family, who had gone to the main gate to greet Zhuque last time.
Zhu Zhen's father was Zhu Wenming, currently one of the main business executives of the Zhu family.
He was also Zhu Wenyu's elder brother, and the Old Master's second son.
Logically, Zhu Wenming should also be at the main table given his status, but today he had been specifically arranged at another table.
Zhu Zhen naturally had to stand up for his father.
"Zhuque has been away for a long time. It's only right for the Old Master to dote on her a bit." Zhu Wenming seemed unbothered by the matter on the surface, but the hint of disdain in his eyes as he looked at Zhuque revealed his insincerity.
Zhu Wenming was far from being merely upset.
With so many people present today, yet he himself couldn't sit at the main table, he wondered how many would be mocking him in secret.
In Zhu Wenming's mind, he was the next head of the Zhu family.
He always carried himself as such when interacting with others in the family.
The Old Master's sudden arrangement made Zhu Wenming's heart tighten.
However, no one at the main table observed this.
Besides Chen Yang and Zhuque, the main table only consisted of Old Master Zhu, Zhu Wenyu, and Nan Zhu.
After opening the screen, Nan Zhu also removed his mask.
"Finally, I can eat something. Waiting for you two was such a trial."
Nan Zhu wasn't truly eager to eat; rather, the atmosphere at the table was making him extremely uncomfortable.
Old Master Zhu exchanged pleasantries for a moment. Seeing that Zhuque remained silent and Chen Yang only smiled and engaged in small talk, without bringing up the conditions Wen Yu had mentioned last time, he sighed slightly, "There's no one here who's an outsider, so I'll be direct."
"Young friend Chen's identity is special. If the Zhu family can cooperate with him, it would be a tremendous benefit for both sides."
"As long as Young friend Chen agrees to this condition, I can pass on the position of Family Head to Que'er after the meal."
Seeing Zhuque about to speak, Old Master Zhu immediately raised his hand and said, "Que'er, I know you have no interest in this position, and even no affection for anyone in the Zhu family."
"Listen to me first."
"The Zhu family and the Zhou family have already had some friction. Before today, perhaps they could still maintain some semblance of respect."
"But after today, such a thing will no longer be possible."
Old Master Zhu's words made Chen Yang frown.
Friction?
Could it be that the two sides had already gone to war?
Besides this, Chen Yang couldn't think of any other possible friction between them.
Zhu Wenyu on the side also chimed in to persuade, "Que'er, with your grandfather and my support, you can definitely control the Zhu family."
Zhuque didn't respond to either of them. Her gaze fell on Chen Yang.
Seeing Chen Yang give her a nod of affirmation, she then turned to Old Master Zhu and Zhu Wenyu and said, "I have no interest in the position of Zhu family head, but I have a few conditions."
"The Zhu family must fully support all actions of the Heavenly Physician Hall in the southwest, without any questions."
"Furthermore, I must understand everything that happened back then."
After learning about the Qin family's affairs, Zhuque had been wondering why the Zhu family had stood by and done nothing to help.
As the foremost family in the southwest, the Zhu family's power in this region far surpassed that of the Zhou family.
Under such circumstances, the Zhu family had still chosen to withdraw.
This was enough to indicate that the force targeting the Qin family was incredibly powerful!
So powerful that even the Zhu family, the local authority, had retreated into their own den, afraid to emerge—no, so powerful that the Zhu family had severed all ties with the Qin family.
They had driven away the wife of the eldest son of the Zhu family, a direct descendant.
What could have made such a powerful family make such a choice!
In Zhuque's heart, if the Zhu family feared and avoided the Qin family's vengeance, then she could no longer evade it herself.
Old Master Zhu knitted his brows. He had anticipated Zhuque's distrust of the Zhu family,
but he hadn't expected that Zhuque wouldn't even want the position of family head.
However, before Old Master Zhu could speak, Zhu Wenyu exclaimed, "No! All other conditions can be agreed to, but the position of Zhu family head must be yours!"
Zhu Wenyu's voice was loud, piercing through the screen.
Everyone sitting outside could hear it clearly. Even those who weren't martial artists could hear every word.
They looked at each other, their faces filled with shock.
"What's going on? Who is the position of family head going to be given to?"
"Second Uncle, aren't you going to go ask?"
"Dad! Has Zhu Wenyu gone mad?" Zhu Zhen, seeing his father not move, impatiently slammed the table and was about to go in.
Zhu Wenming, seeing this, reprimanded, "Sit down!"
Seeing everyone's eyes fixed on him, Zhu Wenming knew that if he didn't express himself now, the prestige he had accumulated over so many years might be lost overnight.
Even if he became the family head later, it would likely be...
Zhu Wenming straightened his clothes and said calmly, "You all eat first."
However, no one touched their chopsticks. Everyone's gaze was fixed on Zhu Wenming.
Zhu Wenming slowly walked towards the main table.
As Zhu Wenming truly entered the screened area, everyone held their breath.
Would there be an argument, or would a fight break out?
No one could be sure!
At this moment, Zhu Wenming looked at the masked man before him and was taken aback for a moment.
"It's you!"
The strongest direct descendant in the history of the Zhu family, without exception.
It was precisely because of this person that the Zhu family's situation had improved.
Nan Zhu paused his chopsticks and smiled, "Second Brother, you've arrived?"
"Come, sit down and have a drink?"
Zhu Wenming smiled bitterly and sighed again, "So it's you!"
Seeing the entire table looking at him strangely, Zhu Wenming's gaze swept over Zhu Wenyu, and finally settled on the Old Master.