The birthday banquet began, and everyone on the scene offered birthday greetings to Uncle Ji.
Although there were a large number of people, it was not like the grand families with numerous rules and ostentatious pomp.
The Ji family had become well - off thanks to Xie Yunxiao, but their in - born habits still remained.
Uncle Ji stroked the hem of his robe with his fingers and slowly took his seat amidst the flattery of the crowd.
Ji Wenzhen stood up, with a proper smile on his lips. "Thank you all for coming to my father's birthday banquet today. I am extremely grateful."
"Where, where. Young Master Ji is so promising. Brother Ji is really blessed."
When it came to this son, Uncle Ji couldn't hide the smile on his face.
"Yes, Zhan'er has brought glory to the family by studying in Yufeng Academy."
"Your Wenzhen is really amazing. He passed the imperial examination at a young age and is a favorite student of Yufeng Academy."
Xie Yunxiao put down his chopsticks and slowly turned his head.
"What's wrong?" Wen Qianyue noticed his movement.
Xie Yunxiao said seriously, "Mother, do you think I've brought shame on you?"
Wen Qianyue asked, "Why do you say that?"
Why did this child suddenly have such a thought?
Xie Yunxiao lowered his head. "I heard them say that you and my... father were once the most outstanding in the capital. But now, I'm just an ordinary student with no great achievements. Moreover, I've even lost all my money."
The more he talked, the more useless he felt, and his eyes almost turned red.
Wen Qianyue sighed. "When parents are too excellent, their children often have to accept their own mediocrity."
"Huh?" Xie Yunxiao looked up in disbelief.
He had thought that his princess mother would comfort him, but he didn't expect such an answer.
"You don't have to be so confused. At least you're a good child," Wen Qianyue comforted him.
If only he could be a bit more discerning, she would be very satisfied.
Xie Yunxiao replied, "... Okay."
There were quite a few relatives in the Ji family. They were all ordinary people busy with their livelihoods. They had almost lost touch with each other, but after hearing that Ji Wenzhen's branch of the family had risen in status, they began to get in touch again.
At first, they could put on airs, but after just a few words, they showed their true colors.
"I heard that Ruxue is going to be a princess consort?"
"That's great! She'll be related to the royal family. Our Ji family will have a connection with the royal family then. Hahaha."
Suddenly, Uncle Ji coughed lightly. The Ji family members fell silent and looked at him.
"Everyone, don't believe the rumors," he deliberately raised his voice and glanced at Xie Yunxiao's clothes. "Compared with the false fame obtained by relying on ancestors, real talent and learning from the sages are the real skills."
As he spoke, he played with his wine cup. "Some people are just lucky."
The hall fell completely silent. Xie Yunxiao's hand with the wine cup paused slightly in mid - air and then he drank it all in one gulp.
Uncle Ji's words were almost like standing up and pointing at Xie Yunxiao's nose, saying, "Our Ji family looks down on you, Xie Yunxiao."
A guest at the table leaned over and sighed, "Brother Ji, your family is really amazing. Even a prince doesn't catch your eye."
Ji Wenzhen remained calm. "Our family doesn't value wealth and honor. People like Xie Yunxiao are just good - looking on the outside but have nothing inside."
"Yes, yes, yes. I heard that Brother Ji's family is very wealthy. This mansion is better than many of the prominent families in Lingzhou."
"I heard that even His Highness, the King of Ling, took a fancy to this place, but couldn't find out who the owner was. It turns out it's you, Brother Ji. You're really hiding your capabilities."
Ji Wenzhen casually played with the jade belt around his waist and didn't respond to the remarks of others.
Yue Heng slowly walked to Wen Qianyue's side and whispered, "Everything is done."
Wen Qianyue squinted her eyes and stared in the direction of the Ji family. The wine cup slowly rotated between her slender fingers.
They had been complacent for so long. It was time for them to wake up.
The noisy voices from outside came in.
The gatekeeper ran in in a panic. "Sir, a group of people suddenly came from outside. They ignored our dissuasion and broke in."
"What?" Uncle Ji frowned. "Where are they?"
"They're almost at the hall," the gatekeeper said anxiously.
Ji Wenzhen stood up. "Did they say anything else?"
"Nothing else," the gatekeeper recalled carefully. "I only remember that the leader was holding a piece of paper in his hand. That's all."
Hearing this, Ji Wenzhen thought for a moment and bowed to the stage. "Father, for safety's sake, we'd better report this to the official."
It was an auspicious day, and it was a bit inauspicious to see the officials, but there was no other way.
"Just do as you say."
The guests were either the collateral relatives of the Ji family or Ji Wenzhen's friends and classmates from the academy. Ji Wenzhen sat down and comforted them, "They may be some hooligans who drank too much in the tavern and found their way here. It's okay. Everything will be fine when the officials arrive."
Everyone laughed and didn't take it seriously. They continued to eat and drink.
Xie Yunxiao looked at Wen Qianyue curiously and even lost the mood to drink.
"Why do I feel that something strange always happens whenever I attend a banquet?"
Last time, the debt collectors came to the door. Could it be for him again this time?
Wen Qianyue could tell what her son was thinking at a glance. She whispered, "Don't worry. These people are not here for you."
"Ah?" Xie Yunxiao wondered. "How do you know?"
Of course she knew.
Because she had hired these people.
Before Wen Qianyue could explain further, the so - called "hooligans" from outside the Ji Mansion broke in.
The leader was tall and strong, followed by more than a dozen brothers. They were all big and strong, looking very intimidating.
"Who is the steward of this family?" the leader asked contemptuously.
Although they knew there was trouble outside, they only thought it was a few drunkards making a scene. No one expected such a group of people.
No one at the banquet dared to make a sound.
Xie Yunxiao was about to stand up when Wen Qianyue pulled him down.
"Don't move around," she whispered.
Wen Qianyue gently placed her hand on Xie Yunxiao's shoulder, and he couldn't move at all.
He had no choice but to be obedient and stay where he was.
Seeing that all the guests were looking at him, Uncle Ji had to stand up bravely. "I am the one," he paused slightly. "May I ask why you broke into my mansion?"
"Your mansion?" The leader sneered and scanned him with interest.
Ji Wenzhen couldn't sit still. He stood up and quickly walked to Uncle Ji's side, blocking in front of him. He said coldly, "I've sent someone to report this to the official. If you're smart, leave now. We can still talk."
The leader's smile grew wider. "... Do as you like."
A guest at the table squinted his eyes and recognized the person. He exclaimed, "Hey? Isn't this Third Master Zheng?"
"He's Third Master Zheng?" Those who heard gasped.
Third Master Zheng was a well - known thug in Lingzhou. He had countless brothers under his command and was very loyal. It was said that he had once been an officer who had made great contributions in the army. Later, because he offended a powerful figure and was ostracized, he came to Lingzhou.
He was famous for his tough and ruthless methods. He had taken on many jobs for the powerful and wealthy officials, doing things that were morally corrupt. The official had no way to deal with him.
Ji Wenzhen also heard the discussions at the table and felt a chill in his heart.
Why would a person like Third Master Zheng appear at his father's birthday banquet?