GBP Chapter 2086 Indeed, we are at their mercy!
Chapter 2086 Indeed, we are at their mercy!
Shangguan Wuji was incredibly clever. He first affirmed Du Xingyue's authority as the leader of the noble family, setting the tone for events that had occurred before Du's arrival.
However, it wouldn't be in his interest to let the ten families of Yanjing suffer a significant loss, so he immediately changed his tone, still stern, but from a different angle:
“However…” Shangguan Wuji looked at Du Xingyue, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and softened his tone, speaking in a consultative manner: “Brother Du, you are highly respected, and your punishment of them is naturally fair! But… isn’t the requirement of kneeling to send off the guests a bit too harsh?”
The ten families, who had just looked ashen-faced, especially Ye Ruyan, suddenly felt a renewed sense of hope!
Judging from what the head of the Shangguan family said, is there still room for maneuver?
At this moment, Shangguan Wuji paused, glanced at the guests filling the courtyard, and raised his voice, as if he were considering the entire Yanjing business district.
"The Ye family, the Chen family, the Wang family... they are, after all, prominent families in Yanjing! If we really make them crawl out on their knees in public today, their dignity will be completely shattered!"
"Once face is shattered, people's hearts will also scatter! When cornered, they might do something even more outrageous and foolish, which could stir up more than just this courtyard; the entire business world of Yanjing might be thrown into turmoil!"
"Brother Du, could you please do me a favor and save face for the business community in Yanjing? Today's wedding banquet at the Li family is attended by more than half of the top figures in Beijing. What will they think of this scene?"
"Apologize and drink the penalty wine, we will not tolerate it, but this kneeling and offering..."
His words were very skillful. He first acknowledged that the ten families were wrong and deserved to be punished, thus upholding the refereeing rights and authority of Du Xingyue, the leader of the Eight Gates, and Du Bancheng.
He then pleaded for the ten families in Yanjing on the grounds of business dignity and overall stability, making it seem as if he was considering the big picture rather than simply showing favoritism.
Finally, the kneeling ceremony was brought up separately for discussion. This gave Du Xingyue a way out, since the other punishments would remain the same, while also trying to preserve the last bit of dignity for the ten families. It also subtly reminded them that "pushing them too hard might cause a riot."
Du Xingyue stared at Shangguan Wuji, slowly stroking the dragon head of his cane.
How could he not know Shangguan Wuji's scheme?
This old fox, seemingly pleading for the ten families, was actually demonstrating his influence and control over them, and telling Du Xingyue: In these aristocratic families, my words still carry weight, so don't push me too far!
If you push them too far, these ten families will really be desperate and do something rash. Then my words won't carry any weight, and if they really do something shameful and completely break off relations, that would be bad!
At the same time, this was also a way for Shangguan Wuji to establish his authority in front of the ten families.
You see, at crucial moments, it's still me, Shangguan Wuji, who steps in to speak for you and fight for your interests!
Sure enough, the ten representatives in the corner, especially the top five middle-ranked representatives led by Ye Ruyan and the bottom five fake representatives led by Yan Qinghe, all knew that they still couldn't avoid being punished with wine and apologies after hearing what Shangguan Wuji said, but at least that humiliating ordeal seemed to have a turning point.
The two exchanged a silent glance, both seeing a complex emotion in each other's eyes.
There was both relief and reliance on Shangguan Wuji's intervention at this moment, and a hidden resentment and helplessness at his control of the situation, treating them as pawns in his game against Du Xingyue and Li Xiangnan.
But at this moment, circumstances are beyond our control.
After all, with such a powerful figure as Du Xingyue here, they had no choice but to rely on Shangguan Wuji.
Alas, it seems we are truly at the mercy of others!
Du Xingyue remained silent for a few seconds, then suddenly snorted coldly: "Patriarch Shangguan, you do know how to consider others!"
He narrowed his eyes, and with a thud of his cane, the faces of the ten families turned ugly again. The younger generations standing behind him turned ashen-faced. His gaze swept across their faces like a knife.
"Very well, considering that your Shangguan family head personally pleaded for us, and also for the sake of the reputation of the Yanjing business community, the kneeling farewell will be waived!"
All ten representatives breathed a sigh of relief.
"But!" Du Xingyue's voice suddenly rose, "An apology must be sincere! A penalty drink must be plentiful! Three jars of strong liquor, not a drop less, and this matter is not over! I'll make you kneel on the ground and lick them all clean!"
"..." Ye Ruyan and the others felt their scalps tingle and trembled with fear, knowing that they were not going to get through this today.
"Xiao Wang!" Du Xingyue waved his hand immediately when he saw their faces looking as if they had lost their parents.
Wang Defa immediately responded, his face beaming with joy: "Yes, Master Du!"
"Go get the wine! Keep an eye on them, make them apologize, drink the wine. Anyone who dares to try to cheat, make them drink every last drop! After that, get out of here and stand in the corner. The banquet isn't over! Nobody is allowed to move!" Du Xingyue's order was as firm as iron.
"Yes!" Wang Defa was so happy he almost jumped for joy, and quickly went with Song Ziming, Yang Weidong and the others to move the wine.
Seeing this, Shangguan Wuji immediately took the opportunity to shout sternly at the representatives of the ten families: "What are you all standing there for?! Didn't you hear what Elder Du said? Ye Ruyan and Yan Qinghe, you two take the lead, bow to Doctor Li, Elder Du, and all the guests and relatives who were frightened, and apologize! Then, drink the wine, not a single drop is allowed!"
His voice was filled with an undeniable domineering authority.
Under his reprimand, the ten representatives knew that Shangguan Wuji had gone to such lengths to help them make their way forward, so they dared not hesitate or take any chances and stepped forward with gritted teeth.
Ye Ruyan stepped forward first, faced Li Xiangnan and Du Xingyue, bowed deeply, and said in a hoarse voice: "Dr. Li, Elder Du, today... it was our rashness and rudeness that disturbed the wedding banquet. We sincerely apologize!"
Behind her, Chen Wangluhan, Yan Qinghe and others followed in turn, bowing and apologizing. The scene was orderly, but everyone looked ashen-faced.
The guests from the Li family in the room were all feeling extremely happy, and even the soles of their feet were beaming with joy.
Immediately afterwards, Wang Defa led his men to carry three jars of strong liquor and countless large bowls that had been prepared beforehand.
Upon seeing the enormous bowl, Ye Ruyan and the others turned ashen-faced, unable to express their bitterness.
Under Du Xingyue's watchful gaze, the ten people lined up, led by Ye Ruyan and Yan Qinghe, and clattered as they gripped the large bowls.
"You've got it ready!" Wang Defa laughed heartily, shouting and directing Song Ziming and the others to pour the wine as he did.
Whoosh!
Pour the wine into a bowl.
Holding the large bowl, Ye Ruyan felt a surge of humiliation stuck in her throat. She took a deep look at Li Xiangnan, wanting to remember his resolute yet calm face, and then drank the three bowls down in one gulp.
The pungent liquor burned their throats and stomachs; some choked and their eyes streamed down their faces; some drank until their faces were flushed and they swayed unsteadily; and some drank until their eyes glazed over.
But no one dared to stop!
The only sounds in the courtyard were gulping swallows and suppressed coughs.
After finally finishing the penalty drinking, the ten men were already staggering and in a sorry state. They were helped back to the corner by their children and stood obediently, not daring to utter another word.
After this ordeal, the arrogance they had gained from Shangguan Wuji's arrival was completely extinguished, leaving them only with the weakness and humiliation of surviving a catastrophe.
Shangguan Wuji watched all this with a cold eye until the ten families were resettled, at which point he slowly turned around.
He put on that seemingly sincere expression again and turned his gaze to Li Xiangnan once more.
"The matter concerning the ten families has been resolved. Elder Du handled it fairly, and they have learned their lesson. I think they will never dare to act recklessly again!"
Shangguan Wuji slowly opened his mouth, but suddenly changed the subject. He did not bring up the matter of apologizing again at this moment, probably knowing that Li Xiangnan and Du Xingyue would cooperate well. Suddenly, he took out a letter from his inner pocket.
This time, he looked extremely solemn as he handed the letter to Li Xiangnan with both hands.
"Dr. Li, these are letters exchanged between my father and Old Master Mu from decades ago. They mention the whereabouts of the real account book and instruct me to personally hand it to Miss Mu if I ever encounter her again..."
"???"
These words were like a bomb, exploding loudly in the courtyard...