Ji Wenzhen lowered his eyes slightly, his expression softening a bit. He bowed slightly and said, "So it's Lord Zheng. I've long heard of your great name. It was my misunderstanding. Since you're here, our Ji family will surely treat you well. Someone, serve the best wine."
He had, of course, heard of Lord Zheng's reputation. Since this man had come uninvited, it was an opportunity for him to get to know this influential figure.
However, Lord Zheng didn't give Ji Wenzhen any face. He let out a cold laugh and said, "Young Master Ji has taken over someone else's nest. I don't dare to stay for long."
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar.
"Take over someone else's nest?" Xie Yunxiao was stunned. He couldn't sit still any longer. He tried to stand up but couldn't break free from Wen Qianyue's hand.
He lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear. "Mother, let go of me. I can't just sit back and do nothing."
Wen Qianyue reminded him, "Don't act rashly at this moment."
Otherwise, it would ruin her plan.
Meng Ruxue was talking to her cousin in the back yard. When she heard what had happened in the front, she rushed over. She didn't dare to show herself and hid behind the wall, listening.
Ji's father couldn't hold back his anger any longer and scolded, "What are you talking nonsense about!"
He was already very unhappy that the birthday banquet he had been preparing for so long had been interrupted. How could he tolerate these people talking nonsense?
Lord Zheng sneered, "Whether it's nonsense or not, it's not up to you to decide." He raised his hand. "It's clearly written in black and white."
"A few days ago, the owner of this mansion came to me and said that your Ji family had forcibly occupied it and refused to leave. I didn't believe it at first. But now, I didn't expect to see you having a birthday banquet in someone else's mansion. It's really an unheard - of story."
"What? Brother Ji, this isn't your family's mansion?" A classmate of Ji Wenzhen blurted out.
Ji Wenzhen immediately retorted, "Brother Zhang, don't believe the words of this villain."
Ji's father also said, "Yes, Zhan'er bought this mansion specifically to honor me."
Ji Wenzhen smiled faintly, lowered his eyes, and bowed to the guests below the stage. "It's our Ji family's fault today. There's been an accident, disturbing everyone's pleasure. When the government officials arrive, everything will be settled."
Seeing Ji Wenzhen so calm, Meng Ruxue behind also breathed a sigh of relief.
She wasn't afraid at all. This mansion was Xie Yunxiao's private property and surely there would be no problem. As long as the government officials came, they would surely drive out these trouble - makers.
Lord Zheng said indifferently, "Really? Then let's wait for the government officials to come."
Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Ji Wenzhen thought he was just putting on a brave front.
He helped Ji's father sit down. "Father, don't worry. Your son will handle everything."
Looking at his son who was now able to take on responsibilities, pride and gratification almost overflowed from Ji's father's eyes.
Wen Qianyue felt extremely disgusted looking at this scene of a kind - father and filial - son.
They had lived in this place for so long that they really thought this was their own home.
The waiting time was extremely difficult. With dozens of strong men surrounding them, who could still have the appetite to eat?
The expressions of the Ji family members became even more unpleasant.
After waiting for a long time, the government officials finally arrived.
"Who reported the case?"
Ji Wenzhen quickly stepped forward. "It's me. These people broke into a private residence without permission. They are simply lawless."
The people around echoed and told the whole story of what had just happened.
"What do you mean by that?" Lord Zheng pulled a long face and scanned everyone one by one until they all fell silent. Then he stepped forward with a smile.
He handed the paper he had been holding to the government official. "We are all law - abiding citizens. We came to take back the mansion with the owner's permission. Who would have thought that these people would just refuse to leave."
"You're talking nonsense. This is clearly our family's mansion!" Ji's mother raised her voice and wanted to step forward to argue. But Ji's father, who had sharp eyes, grabbed her hand and whispered in her ear, "Everyone is watching. Don't lose your dignity."
"What dignity? The mansion is about to be taken away. Who cares about face!" Ji's mother shouted. She saw Meng Ruxue hiding behind the wall and immediately broke free from Ji's father's hand and ran over.
Ji's mother was fierce and domineering. She was the one who had the final say in the Ji family. She surely wouldn't just watch the fat in her mouth slip away.
Looking at Meng Ruxue being dragged out by her, Wen Qianyue couldn't help but curl her lips.
Ji's mother grabbed Meng Ruxue tightly. "Tell me, didn't you give this mansion to your uncle as a gift? How come there are still people trying to take it away?" She glanced at Xie Yunxiao secretly. "Or is it that you can't hold your man's heart and he doesn't want you anymore?"
After saying this, Meng Ruxue's face turned pale.
Not only were the relatives of the Ji family and Ji Wenzhen's classmates here today, but there were also a few of her close female friends. Ji's mother's words made all of them look bad.
Ji Wenzhen quickly spoke up to stop her. "Mother, are you drunk? Why are you talking nonsense?"
He tightly grabbed his mother's sleeve and exerted force secretly.
"What are you talking nonsense about!" Ji's father looked around and lowered his head, speaking in the lowest voice.
Ji's mother had always doted on this promising son of hers. Seeing him step in, she regained a bit of her senses and finally let go.
Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, the government official quickly stepped in to stop and scold them.
"What are you all making a fuss about!"
He carefully examined the deed handed over by Lord Zheng and his men and found no problems.
This was indeed a valid deed certified by the government.
Ji Wenzhen looked at Meng Ruxue apologetically. "Ruxue, I've made you suffer."
Meng Ruxue rubbed her red - grabbed wrist. Her eyes were already red. She could only force a smile and say, "... It's okay."
Wen Qianyue thought the timing was about right and loosened her grip.
Xie Yunxiao couldn't hold back any longer. He stood up straight and walked in front of Meng Ruxue, separating everyone.
The government official's expression changed. He quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "We didn't know that the Prince of Huainan was here. We've offended you."
Although Xie Yunxiao had no real power, he still had a title in name. He wasn't someone that a small person like them could provoke.
Meng Ruxue's eyes became even redder. Tears welled up in her eyes but didn't fall. "A Xiao, you must help my uncle and the others."
Xie Yunxiao quickly reached out to support her, but someone got there first.
He was stunned for a moment. He didn't know when Wen Qianyue had also walked over.
"Look at what Miss Meng said. You're the Prince's savior. How could the Prince not help?"
Xie Yunxiao quickly nodded.
Wen Qianyue continued, "But in the current situation, it's best to let the government officials investigate clearly and clear the Ji family's name."
"I believe Miss Meng and Young Master Ji surely aren't afraid of the government's investigation."
Ji Wenzhen's face looked bad. Originally, he had wanted to use this grand birthday banquet for his father to make those who looked down on him in the academy think highly of him. But he didn't expect such a thing to happen.
"This deed is in order." After the inspection, the government official returned the document to Lord Zheng.
A cold smile curled up on Wen Qianyue's lips.
Of course, there was no problem with the document. It was redeemed by Su Ye himself.
Lord Zheng took the document, tilted his head slightly, and half of his mouth suddenly lifted. His laugh was filled with undisguised arrogance. "I just wanted to 'politely' ask these people to leave. I didn't expect so many things to happen."
Saying this, he sighed as if he was very troubled by this matter.