This abrupt voice came from Feng Lao's second son, Feng Linming.
Ten years ago, the naturally cautious Feng Linming was a strong contender for the next patriarch of the Tianbei Feng family.
However, because he was several years younger than Feng Linzhi, his authority in taking over the family business was inherently much smaller.
As a result, in the "battle" for patriarch, even though Feng Linming put in his full effort and possessed sufficient ability to control the Fang family, he ultimately lost.
Feng Linming lost—
Feng Linzhi certainly would not give him another chance to rise again and pose a threat to himself!
Using subtle, silent means, he gradually reclaimed most of Feng Linming's authority and shares.
Feng Lao saw all the internal struggles among the Feng family brothers but did not intervene.
Only through years of struggle would the ultimate victor be qualified to control the Feng family!
Feng Lao only needed to grasp the general direction, ensuring no lives were lost between the heirs, so the victor shone brilliantly, and the loser was well-provided for.
Over the years, Feng Linming had long lost the ambition to ascend to the patriarch's throne, content to be a wealthy man.
He almost never participated in major family decisions.
After all, even if he participated and offered his opinions, no one would pay attention.
But tonight—
When the Feng family disciples, filled with righteous anger, accused a certain brat of going too far, Feng Linming, who rarely participated in core decision-making meetings and never spoke, brought up a topic that instantly silenced everyone present.
That topic was—
A few days ago, Feng Linzhi spent two full days and nights in affectionate embrace with Li Qianfan's woman, Jiao Yin (Jiao Meibi), at the Liushui Pavilion in Tian Dong Province capital!
This was equivalent to placing a bright, colorful hat on Li Qianfan's head!!
At that time, Feng Linzhi dared to do so because Li Qianfan was already presumed dead in Blackwater Forest.
Furthermore, because Li Qianfan's people dared to slaughter 35 "National Scholars," including two core members of the Feng family, he had specifically gone to Tian Dong in anger to thoroughly enjoy his woman.
It felt really good—
But now!
Li Qianfan was not dead.
He had returned!
And after returning to Si Jiu, he had launched a killing spree against the Du and Xu families!!
So, would Li Qianfan let Feng Linzhi, who had occupied his woman, off the hook?
This question—
The Feng family disciples exchanged glances for a long time, and no one spoke. They merely looked instinctively at the instigator, Feng Linzhi.
Feng Linzhi's face was gloomy, his eyes flashing with embarrassment, regret, and even fear.
If it were any other matter, Feng Linzhi would have convened a meeting and sought the support of the entire family before deciding to act.
But this matter of going to the Liushui Pavilion in Tian Dong Province capital to "fawn over" Jiao Yin (Jiao Meibi)—he couldn't really discuss it with anyone, could he?
"Anyway, the one who slept with Li Qianfan's woman was Feng Linzhi, and it has nothing to do with us. Even if he comes looking for trouble, he can only find Feng Linzhi."
When many Feng family disciples thought of this, their hearts, which had been raised in fear of Li Qianfan seeking retribution, slowly settled down.
The atmosphere in the hall became relaxed again.
And then there was Feng Linzhi.
His mood was the exact opposite of everyone else's relief!
The more relaxed everyone became, the more it indicated that if Li Qianfan came seeking retribution for this, no one would lift a finger to help, and he might face the danger alone: "Why should you be happy while making us bear the responsibility with you?"
Cough.
Feng Lao coughed dryly and said slowly, "The relationship between Linzhi and the eldest madam of the Bai family in Tian Dong was consensual. Linzhi did not use force against Madam Bai. Therefore, even if Li Qianfan is displeased, he does not seem to have the right to retaliate against our Feng family because of this."
Alas.
It made sense, didn't it?
Feng Linzhi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded instinctively.
"Alright, let's not bring this up again."
Feng Lao glanced at his second son and said lightly, "What we need to do now is prepare to join the Shen family and the other 11 families to hold them accountable for the slaughter of our ally, the Du family, by that brat. Also, there is the matter of Hanyu's marriage."
After being looked at by Feng Lao, Feng Linming lowered his head and remained silent.
Although.
He desperately wished for his eldest brother (Feng Linzhi) to have an accident, he also knew that if Li Qianfan came seeking retribution, no one in the Feng family could escape.
The Lan family of Tian Dong was a cautionary tale.
Lan Yunhai's son was dead, and he himself was missing; Chu Yazhi and her daughter-in-law, Murong Mingyuan, were both taken in by Li Qianfan; in addition to several bodyguards being hanged on the spot, the remaining members of the Lan family were spared because of Elder Lan.
Elder Lan's philanthropy was passed down through generations!
This forced Li Qianfan to lower his blood-soaked cleaver.
What about the Feng family?
The Tianbei Feng family seemed to rarely do good deeds!!
So, if Li Qianfan came to settle the score, could the main core disciples of the Feng family escape this calamity?
Feng Linming thought of this and surreptitiously glanced at Feng Linzhi, then at Feng Hanyu beside him, and then thought of the eldest daughter of the Fang family who was about to marry into the Feng family tomorrow. A certain bad feeling grew stronger in his heart.
But he said nothing.
The meeting adjourned.
The Feng family disciples left the living room, chatting and laughing.
The wives of the male members also came out from the side rooms.
For some reason.
After Feng Linming walked into the courtyard, his gaze fell on his eldest sister-in-law again.
The eldest sister-in-law, now in her fifties, although dressed elegantly and nobly, and a beauty in her youth, now had a face like a silver plate, a bloated figure, and her belly jiggled back and forth as she walked.
"I heard Chu Yazhi was much younger and more beautiful than my eldest sister-in-law, which earned her Li Qianfan's favor. A woman like my eldest sister-in-law wouldn't have to worry about being coveted by Li Qianfan. Heh heh."
Feng Linming chuckled inwardly and quickly left.
It was very late at night.
Feng Linming tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
His wife, startled awake, sleepily asked him what was wrong.
"Alas, I have a bad premonition."
Feng Linming sat up, lit a cigarette, and looked up at the ceiling. "Our Feng family is very likely to face disaster because Feng Linzhi spent two full days and nights in affectionate embrace with the eldest madam of the Bai family in Tian Dong a few days ago! We might become the second Tian Dong Lan family."
Huh?
Upon hearing this, Feng Er Sao also sat up quickly.
The matter of the Lan family in Tian Dong had long been spread throughout the circles of prominent families across the land.
When people brought it up during their leisurely conversations, they all "envied" Chu Yazhi for her good fortune!
To be favored by the world's top young playboy in her late thirties was far better fortune than other noblewomen who could only endure their lives with middle-aged or older husbands.
Although Feng Er Sao and others envied Chu Yazhi—
None of them wished to become the next Chu Yazhi!
Feng Er Sao's sleepiness vanished. "You don't mean it? Just because the eldest brother specifically went to Tian Dong to sleep with Li Qianfan's woman, he's going to take away the eldest brother and the eldest brother's fiancée, Miss Fang? Moreover, the reason the eldest brother did that was to retaliate against Li Qianfan for annihilating 35 people, including two Feng family disciples."
"Li Qianfan annihilated 35 people?"
Feng Linming sneered dismissively.
Feng Er Sao's eyes widened. " Wasn't it? That's what all the women in the circle are saying now."
"You don't understand."
Looking at his wife, who was still charming and whose mind remained as pure as twenty years ago, Feng Linming couldn't help but reach out and stroke her hair. "Some things, although I don't know them, I can vaguely guess the truth behind them."
Feng Er Sao curled up in her husband's arms like a cat and asked, "Even if you're worried, what can you do? After all, you don't have much say in the Feng family now."
Feng Linming nodded. "Even if I did, I wouldn't have the ability to change the facts. He's the world's foremost playboy! After he slaughtered more than ten people from the Du and Xu families, there was no news online. This itself is a very strange thing. But the people in the family aren't considering this. Instead, they're discussing how to join forces with the other 11 families to retaliate against Li Qianfan. They're rejoicing on the verge of death."
Feng Er Sao didn't understand these things and just listened quietly.
"The old man is old. His thinking is still stuck in the methods used in domestic elite family struggles."
Feng Linming added, "He completely forgot that Li Qianfan is the world's top young master! There are only a handful of young masters in the world who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him. If he decides to target the Feng family, how could he possibly follow the rules of the domestic elite circles? I'm truly afraid he'll attack our most direct core disciples like he did with the Xu and Du families!"
Hearing him say this, Feng Er Sao also became nervous.
She quickly asked what they should do.
She didn't want her small family to be implicated by the eldest brother. "Linming, why don't we leave?"
Feng Linming was stunned and asked, "Leave?"
"Yes."
Feng Er Sao nodded. "You say it's so dangerous, and I'm a little scared. Let's go. Leave tonight. Take the children and go to my parents' house. Although afterward, whether Li Qianfan comes to the Feng family or not, everyone will laugh at us. But I don't care if others laugh at us. I only care that our family of four can be safe. At least, we can safely pass this Spring Festival."
Under Er Sao's urging—
Feng Linming took his wife, daughter, and son and drove away at the end of the long street before the darkness of dawn arrived.
Daybreak came.
The old residence of the Tianbei Feng family was adorned with lanterns, drums beating, firecrackers exploding, and was filled with joy.
People came and went!
There were sounds of congratulation and laughter everywhere.
The wedding venue was set up in a large hotel in First Estate.
The handsome and dashing groom, and the beautiful and radiant bride, under the host's guidance, successfully completed a series of ceremonies.
The wedding proceeded peacefully.
The warm sun shone brightly, and the world was at peace.
Feng Linzhi, who had been worried since dawn, exchanged a look with his father.
The father and son nodded together and smiled.
The matter they were most worried about had not happened!
However.
When they looked at the table for the core members of the Feng family, their faces turned grim.
This morning.
Feng Linming had called to say that his father-in-law had a sudden heart attack in the early morning, so he had to take his wife and children back to his hometown overnight.
He expressed his deep regret for not being able to attend his great-nephew's wedding.
"Heh heh, father-in-law is ill?"
"Isn't it just fear that the brat would come to kill today and turn the Feng family into the second Tian Dong Lan family, so they left First Estate overnight?"
"You scoundrel!"
"Our Tianbei Feng family is a national prominent family. How can it be compared to the local prominent family like the Tian Dong Lan family?"
"No matter how audacious the brat is, he wouldn't dare to treat our Feng family like the Tian Dong Lan family and retaliate."
"Feng Linming, your timidity and fear of trouble are simply a disgrace to our ancestors!"
Feng Lao and Feng Linzhi thought the same, and both snorted coldly.
But soon, they were all smiles.
Because the groom and bride came to toast.
"Everyone, please be quiet."
The golden-tongued host raised his microphone and shouted joyfully, "Next, let us witness the beautiful and gentle bride formally toasting her beloved grandfather, grandmother; her beloved mother-in-law and beloved father-in-law for the first time, to change her address!"
The joyful music and the noisy sounds of the crowd followed the host's announcement.
Looking at his daughter-in-law, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, with a graceful figure and beautiful face, Feng Linzhi stood up with a smile.
Beep beep—
Suddenly!
A sharp car horn sound came from the entrance of the hall.
The hundreds of guests in the hall instinctively turned to look.
They saw a car slowly driving into the grand entrance of the hotel hall.
No!
It wasn't one car.
It was four or five cars, lined up to drive into the hotel lobby!
These cars were all hearses with black veils tied to their hoods!!