NFBE Chapter 2106 Huanying? !
Chapter 2106 Huanying? !
"Boom!"
The muffled thud coming from the side room was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves in everyone's hearts.
The young monk, who was about to flee the courtyard in a disheveled state, suddenly froze in place, stiffly turned his head, and stared intently at the tightly closed door.
The fear, resentment, and madness that lingered on his face, shattered by the Qin family's iron fist, were now replaced by a new and more complex sense of astonishment and doubt.
Is she really there?
This thought slithered into his mind like a venomous snake!
The Buddha went to great lengths, even risking his life to send his messenger boy here, just to confirm this most crucial question, didn't he?
If Mu Huanying really was behind that door, then wouldn't all of Buddha's plans and schemes have fallen into Li Xiangnan's trap from the very beginning?
No... it can't be that simple!
He recalled Li Xiangnan's composure in dealing with the Ten Families, Shangguan Wuji, and even himself, and felt a chill run down his spine.
Perhaps, from beginning to end, they were the clowns who were brought to the forefront?
The representatives of the ten families of Yanjing and Shangguan Wuji, who were sitting in the corner, were even more confused at this moment.
Shangguan Wuji's expression shifted constantly, his eyes fixed on the door.
He had just burned the so-called last letter from his father, thus cutting off his most legitimate reason for intervening.
Now, the sound from behind the door seemed to mock his foolishness and failure.
If it really is Mu Huanying inside, then the Shangguan family has not only lost face today, but has also completely offended the Qin family and Li Xiangnan, and has also needlessly exposed their covetousness for the Mu family's past.
The Mu family, of course, would be even more aware of the Shangguan family's intentions.
But what if it's not inside...?
Why would Li Xiangnan go to such lengths to set up such a scheme?
Is it merely to deal with the ten families and the possible Little Buddha?
Is it worth making such a big fuss, even bringing out the Qin family, such a powerful figure?
The more he thought about it, the more unfathomable he seemed, and the more he felt that Li Xiangnan was someone he couldn't understand. Cold sweat poured down his back.
Ye Ruyan bit her lower lip tightly, her nails almost digging into her palm.
The fake account books she brought were exposed and burned in public, and the Ye family lost all credibility and face.
At that moment, the commotion behind the side room felt more like a silent verdict to her.
Whether it's true or false, the Ye family has lost the right to interfere in the affairs of the Mu family.
With the Qin family here, who would dare to covet that supposedly genuine account book?
She was filled with frustration and lingering fear, and all she wanted was to get away from this place of trouble as soon as possible.
Yan Qinghe, Zong Wangshan, and the others looked ashen-faced.
They're only thinking about one thing right now.
Go, immediately, right now!
Under the watchful eyes of the Qin family soldiers, all account books and old interest became death warrants.
It no longer matters who is in that side room.
The important thing is that they must not remain here and become an obstacle that the Qin family needs to eliminate.
And what about Qian Houjin?
My mood was completely different from the other ten families.
At this moment, they couldn't be happier that Mu Huanying was inside, and they couldn't be happier to see the nine families suffer a setback.
My God!
With all the military geniuses from the Qin family here, who in Yanjing would dare to interfere with the affairs of the Li and Mu families now?
Even if Mu Huanying is really in the Li family, so what?
What difference does it make whether we confirm it or not?
I, Dr. Li, am not afraid at all.
Du Xingyue, leaning on his cane, stood to the side, his silvery-white eyebrows twitching slightly.
He is worldly-wise and sees things more deeply.
Li Xiangnan, that kid, his plan today is truly ingenious.
They first used the fact that Mu Huanying was there and that the account books were in hand as bait to lure out all the fish with ill intentions.
Then, by leveraging his own and the Ji family's influence, he managed to stabilize the situation initially.
Finally, Qin Jialei made a thunderous appearance, clearing the field with absolute power and completely securing the victory!
Now that the fish are in the net, shouldn't the bait... be put away?
Was the commotion in the side room an accident, or part of Li Xiangnan's plan?
He looked at Li Xiangnan and saw that the other man's expression remained calm, but there seemed to be a very subtle hint of surprise in the depths of his eyes.
Hiss, could it be...?
Ji Qingyue's cool gaze swept over the side room, then looked at Li Xiangnan, her mind seemingly lost in thought.
The Ji family intervened to repay Li Xiangnan's favor in treating his grandfather and to deter troublemakers.
It now appears that Li Xiangnan's situation is more complicated than she had anticipated.
The existence of this side room seems to be the core of all the conflicts.
The Qin family has used its military might to clear away external threats, but how should they properly deal with the bait inside?
She had a vague feeling that things might not be completely over yet.
Although the Qin family members, Qin Anling, Qin Taihang, Qin Huaihe, and others were unaware of all the intricacies, their military instincts allowed them to immediately perceive the subtle shift in the atmosphere.
Their gaze also fell on the door to the side room, but more so on with a posture of scrutiny and protection.
In any case, with them here today, no matter what happens, they can no longer threaten Li Xiangnan's family.
But there was another person in the crowd who was even more unexpected: Hao Jian!
He stood behind Li Xiangnan, looking at the door of the side room with a mixture of doubt and seriousness.
When did Old Master Mu actually go into the backyard? And why is he hiding in this side room? Isn't there no one in there?
Li Xiangnan appeared calm, but his mind was racing.
The preparations in the side room shouldn't have made any noise at this time.
Did the people inside hear the commotion outside and couldn't contain themselves any longer?
Or... is there some other unexpected event?
He quickly ruled out the worst possibility, so this noise might actually become an opportunity, an opportunity to completely understand all the suspicions of today!
But he needs someone to offer him a way out.
Just then, Song Cijiu, who had been standing beside Li Xiangnan and overseeing the overall situation, keenly caught the fleeting glint in Li Xiangnan's eyes and understood the subtle atmosphere that had instantly become more delicate in the courtyard.
He knew it was his turn to take the stage.
Song Cijiu cleared his throat, put on a smooth yet enthusiastic smile like a businessman, took a few steps forward, stood in the center of the courtyard, and spoke in a loud voice:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Distinguished guests and friends!"
He first bowed to the guests filling the courtyard, then his gaze swept over the pale-faced representatives of the ten families and Shangguan Wuji in the corner, finally landing on the little monk standing stiffly at the door. His smile remained unchanged, but his tone carried an undeniable sense of dismissal.
"Today is the one-month celebration of my grandniece Li Xitang! We are deeply grateful to all of you for coming to offer your congratulations! Just now, there was a small misunderstanding and incident, but fortunately, Elder Du stood up for justice, Miss Ji spoke up for us, and the Qin family's in-laws arrived in time. Now... the misunderstanding has been cleared up, and the incident is over!"
He paused, his smile becoming even more sincere: "Since this is a celebratory banquet, let's focus on the joy. The backyard is small and has many people, so I'm afraid we might not be able to provide adequate hospitality! The banquet in the central courtyard is ready, with plenty of food and wine! Please, all our guests, move to the central courtyard and take your seats! We'll begin the banquet at the appointed time and enjoy a hearty celebration of Xitang's full moon celebration!"
This was a well-chosen statement, giving everyone a way out while clearly distinguishing between the congratulatory guests and the troublemaking uninvited guests.
Then, he looked at the representatives of the ten families and Shangguan Wuji, his tone becoming somewhat indifferent: "Mr. Shangguan, Miss Ye, Elder Yan, and everyone else... Now that you're here today, whatever the matter, you must have reached a conclusion by now! If you'd like to have another drink at the wedding banquet, please come to the central courtyard! If there are any other important matters, our Li family is really unable to entertain you today, so please make yourselves at home!"
This is practically kicking people out.
But coming from Song Cijiu's mouth, these words were reasonable and no one could refute them.
Finally, he cast a cold glance at the young monk at the door: "As for this young monk... our Li family is an upright family, and we are celebrating a joyous occasion! We simply cannot tolerate someone as important as you, and you certainly don't understand any Buddhist verses about the great fire at midnight! The door is over there, so please leave. The Li family does not welcome you!"
The little monk's face alternated between light and pale, and his chest heaved with blood and qi.
He knew that today's defeat was utterly devastating, and there was no point in staying any longer.
After clenching his fist tightly, he turned back and glared fiercely at Li Xiangnan and the concubine, squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth, filled with deep resentment and bitterness:
"The karma is not yet settled... the Buddha will come again!"
After saying that, he didn't linger and staggered towards the door.
Seeing this, Shangguan Wuji knew that the situation was hopeless. He sighed and stiffly cupped his hands in the direction of Qin Anling, Du Xingyue, Li Xiangnan and others. Without saying a word, he walked away slowly with his head down, his face full of defeat and dejection.
The ten representatives, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quickly helped each other up, dragging and pulling Qian Houjin along behind Shangguan Wuji, trying to slink away as if they wished they had two more legs.
The tense atmosphere and hidden agendas of the moment seemed to have vanished with the departure of these people.
The courtyard suddenly fell silent, and many people's eyes still glanced intentionally or unintentionally toward the side room.
Song Cijiu breathed a slight sigh of relief. Now that everyone was gone, Mu Huanying's impression of the room was settled. He was about to call everyone to the central courtyard to completely divert their attention.
Just then—
"Squeak!"
A clear sound came from the moon gate again.
The door that had just been closed by the Qin family soldiers was opened again.
Everyone instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.
Just as they reached the door, the little monk, Shangguan Wuji, and the representatives of the ten families, who had not yet completely left, suddenly gasped in shock. As if they had seen a ghost, they froze on the spot, their faces drained of color!
In the courtyard, everyone who recognized that face was utterly shocked, their pupils shrinking!
The entire room was filled with shock and utter silence!
"Huanying?"
A loud shout suddenly rang out from the main room...