HCB Chapter 2049 Why...did you arrive early?!
Chapter 2049 Why...did you arrive early?!
Li Xiangnan's smile remained unchanged, and even deepened.
Without further hesitation, he stepped forward and took the heavy wooden box with both hands. He was surprised to find that the box was extremely heavy, probably weighing twenty or thirty pounds. The fact that Zong Wangshan and his son had carried it so steadily showed that they were both skilled in martial arts.
Li Xiangnan steadily held the box, his gaze sweeping over the three dazzling golden maces inside, each exuding a chilling aura. He said loudly, "Patriarch Zong's kindness in presenting such a generous gift is something I, on behalf of my daughter Xitang, am deeply grateful for! Patriarch Zong's gift of these house-protecting maces carries profound meaning, and the Li family will remember it! Brother Zhang!"
He turned to Zhang Jingyang, who had been anxiously watching the situation, and said loudly, "Make a note of this: the Yanjing clan's congratulatory gift is a set of golden maces to ward off evil spirits and protect the house!"
As the chanting of the ceremony began, a low murmur rippled through the courtyard once more.
The prestige and value of this gift clearly surpassed that of the previous gold-inlaid jade ruyi!
Hearing the envious voices around him, Zong Wangshan's face showed a satisfied expression. He waved his hand and said, "Doctor Li is so generous! Now, can the three of us, father and sons, come in and have a drink of wedding wine?"
“Of course!” Li Xiangnan did not refuse. He stepped aside to make way, gesturing for Song Ziming to take the wooden box and check it again before putting it into storage. At the same time, he smiled and said, “Patriarch Zong, young masters, please come in! We have prepared some peanuts and melon seeds in the central courtyard. Please rest for a while and wait for the wedding banquet to begin. Please forgive us if our hospitality is not up to par!”
Zong Wangshan laughed heartily, said no more, and strode into the courtyard.
Zong Chengjia and Zong Jiye followed closely behind. The three of them walked with imposing strides, and wherever they went, the guests in the front yard involuntarily made way to the sides, and the "human wall" that had been forming naturally collapsed.
Just then, several figures walked out naturally from among the guests, smiling, and headed towards Zongwang Mountain.
The man in the lead, around fifty years old, wearing glasses and with a refined demeanor, was none other than Director Liu of the Department of Higher Education Student Affairs of the Ministry of Education. He chuckled and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Oh, it's Comrade Wangshan! Long time no see! What a coincidence that we meet at the Li family's wedding banquet!"
Zong Wangshan was taken aback when he saw that it was Director Liu, whom his son had visited when he was in school. He was quite surprised and was about to speak when Huang Ninglei, the director of the Ministry of Health, Zhao, the director of the Ministry of Metallurgy, and Zhou, the section chief of the State Planning Commission, also stepped forward and exchanged pleasantries with Zong Wangshan in a seemingly casual manner.
"Comrade Wangshan is still as energetic and vigorous as ever, speaking with a strong voice, and his charm remains undiminished!"
"The Zong family's business has been booming lately. I heard that when it snowed a while ago, you organized workers to go ice skating and booked the entire Shichahai area. That's quite a lot of money. Congratulations!"
"What have you been up to lately, Brother Zong? Want to grab some tea sometime?"
"..."
These people may not hold high official positions, but they are all cadres in powerful departments, representing different systems and faces.
They exchanged pleasantries with Zong Wangshan in a warm tone, but the conversation was ordinary, as if they were just old friends who had met by chance.
However, it was clear to anyone with eyes to see that their timing was too perfect and their postures were too identical.
It happened precisely during the brief standoff between Li Xiangnan and Zong Wangshan, when the atmosphere was delicate.
While they appeared to be talking to Zong Wangshan, their eyes were constantly glancing at Li Xiangnan, and they mentioned Li Xiangnan quite often during their conversation.
"Dr. Li is young and promising, with both medical skills and a kind heart. Our department leaders all admire him!"
"Yes, my boss even specifically asked me to bring a bottle of wine over to pay a visit and offer some congratulations!"
"To be honest, Dr. Li has quite a few friends who have come over. When I saw them today, hey, they were all acquaintances!"
There wasn't a single harsh word, not a trace of hostility, but the invisible, tacit understanding and support were clearly conveyed.
They were telling Zong Wangshan in this way: Li Xiangnan is not a lone figure you can manipulate at will; he has many visible and invisible forces behind him.
Today is a joyous occasion, so everyone should follow the rules!
Even if you, Zong Wangshan, are arrogant, you still have to consider whether you can disregard the feelings of so many friends at the same time!
These people are all officials!
Zong Wangshan was a man of great stature; how could he not understand the implied meaning?
His unrestrained smile remained unchanged, but a barely perceptible shadow crossed the depths of his eyes.
He chuckled and dealt with everyone, his voice still loud and clear, but the previously unbridled sense of oppression had subsided somewhat without him realizing it.
Zong Wangshan realized that his assessment of Li Xiangnan and the power behind him might have been flawed!
Perhaps the other side has grown too fast, so much so that the intelligence network can no longer keep up!
This young man not only carries weight with the older generation, but also has a considerable network and reputation among the middle generation with real power and even among grassroots cadres.
The Ten Families of Yanjing are best at utilizing these forces and know how to assess situations. Now, Li Xiangnan happens to have this group of people under his command, which is a perfect match for their expertise!
Zong Chengjia stood to the side and behind his father, his thin lips pressed even tighter, his eyes sweeping over the officials who were chatting and laughing with his father, his heart filled with both shock and anger.
What was astonishing was that the Li family was able to mobilize so many people from different systems to support them. Although they only made a subtle gesture, the meaning was self-evident.
What angered him was that these people dared to subtly restrain the main family in this way, making him feel an unpleasant sense of being bound by an invisible force!
He secretly memorized the faces of these people, his eyes cold.
Zong Jiye, on the other hand, was more wary.
His sharp gaze swept across the yard, assessing potential threats and escape routes, while frequently glancing towards the direction leading to the backyard.
The presence of these officials, while not posing a direct threat of force, represents a force of order and rules, making any possible "unconventional" actions today require a greater price to pay.
So, as her father was being led inside, she whispered in his ear, "Dad, there are quite a few people, and many of them are familiar faces!"
Zong Wangshan glanced at his son subtly, indicating that he understood. After exchanging pleasantries, he smiled at Li Xiangnan and said, "Dr. Li, oh my, you are truly surrounded by distinguished guests! It seems that I, old Zong, have made the right choice coming to this wedding banquet today. It's very lively, and I love a lively atmosphere! And they are all old acquaintances! Haha!"
"I'm glad the clan head is happy. Your presence is a great honor for the Li family!" Li Xiangnan said calmly, gesturing, "Please come in!"
Zong Wangshan said no more, laughed heartily, and strode into the front yard of the Li family.
Just as Li Xiangnan was leading Zong Wangshan and his two sons through the hanging flower gate into the open space in front of the central courtyard, the door of the west wing opened at that very moment.
Qian Houjin, his steps unsteady, leaned on his son as he walked out of the room.
The two groups of people collided head-on without any warning, under the watchful eyes of countless people.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
The murmurs that had not yet completely subsided in the front yard suddenly stopped.
Zong Wangshan abruptly stopped, his tiger-like eyes narrowing instantly. His sharp gaze, like a tangible blade, first swept over the calm-faced Song Cijiu, and then fixed itself on the pale-faced, uneasy Qian Houjin.
A look of utter astonishment flashed across his face, as if he had never expected to see Qian Houjin here, in this way.
The astonishment was so real, it didn't seem fake.
"Third brother!!!"
"Why...did you come early?!"
Upon hearing this, the entire courtyard fell silent!
Li Xiangnan: "..."