Free Web NovelChapter 187: Chapter 186: The Hand of the Yao Family
The Phoenix City Gao Family.
Gao Ming walked slowly toward the courtyard ahead. Suddenly, his brows furrowed and his breath caught. He quickened his pace, rushing forward.
BANG!
Gao Ming kicked the door open and stormed inside.
Hasty noises immediately came from within, as if the occupants were in a panic. But Gao Ming was incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, he had burst into the inner room.
"You... You two!" Gao Ming roared, his eyes bloodshot with rage as he pointed at the pair before him.
In the room were a man and a woman, hastily dressing themselves. The woman’s face was flushed, her body glowing with a pinkish hue, and her eyes held a hint of amorous satisfaction, though she was now frantic. It was his fourth wife, Tang Ying. The man beside her, however, had a tight frown as he unhurriedly pulled on his clothes, completely ignoring the furious Gao Ming. This was Yao Qi.
Yao Qi’s expression was calm, as if he couldn’t care less.
"You’re Gao Ming, right? I’d advise you to just let this go," Yao Qi said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Otherwise... you’d better watch out for your Gao Family."
"You!?" Gao Ming couldn’t believe the man before him could be so arrogant after doing such a thing. Rage surged through him, and he took a step forward.
Seeing that Gao Ming was about to attack, Yao Qi’s brow furrowed sharply, and he snapped, "I am the eldest son of Yao Luojun, Patriarch of the Yao Family. You dare kill me?"
Gao Ming froze, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Yao Qi.
Yao Qi slung an arm around the panicked Tang Ying and smirked at Gao Ming. "Some things are best left unseen. Just turn a blind eye. Let’s not make this unpleasant for either of us."
Gao Ming watched the smug Yao Qi, feeling as if his lungs would explode with rage. Yet he didn’t dare to make a move. The man before him was the Young Master of the Yao Family, a major power in all of Kaiyang County. They could annihilate the Gao Family with a wave of their hand.
Gao Ming’s fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh, drawing drops of blood.
"Come, help me dress," Yao Qi said to Tang Ying.
Tang Ying glanced at Gao Ming, looking conflicted.
Yao Qi frowned, and Tang Ying immediately went over to help him with his clothes.
Gao Ming could only watch as the disheveled Tang Ying helped Yao Qi dress. Though a storm of fury raged within him, he didn’t dare take a single step forward.
A moment later, Yao Qi was dressed. He nodded in satisfaction and smiled at Tang Ying. "I’m leaving now, little treasure. I’ll come find you again next time."
After speaking, Yao Qi turned his gaze to Gao Ming and said coldly, "You know what to do, don’t you? Don’t get everyone in your Gao Family killed."
With that, Yao Qi straightened his clothes, turned, and walked straight out the door.
Only after Yao Qi had left did Gao Ming feel a heat rise in his chest, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"I..." Tang Ying watched Gao Ming from the side, a worried expression on her face.
Gao Ming didn’t even spare her a glance as he staggered outside.
"Don’t go!" Tang Ying stepped forward and grabbed Gao Ming’s arm.
"Let go," Gao Ming said, his expression blank, his head swimming.
Tang Ying pleaded, "Forgive me. Just this once, forgive me."
"Get lost, you whore!" Gao Ming kicked Tang Ying away forcefully and strode out the door.
Tang Ying felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. She shakily pushed herself to her feet, but Gao Ming was already far away. Watching his retreating back, Tang Ying knew that he would never forgive her in this lifetime. At that thought, the light in her eyes dimmed. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
’Was I wrong?’ Tang Ying murmured to herself.
.......
Gao Ming returned to his study and sat there, his gaze vacant as he stared at the calligraphy and paintings before him. He remained that way for the entire afternoon.
"Master, bad news! Something terrible has happened! The Fourth Mistress... she..." Just then, a young servant ran in, frantic.
Gao Ming shot to his feet and asked urgently, "What about the Fourth Mistress?"
"She... she hanged herself," the servant whispered, barely daring to breathe.
"What?" Hearing the news, Gao Ming collapsed back into his chair, looking utterly devastated.
After a long moment, Gao Ming finally recovered. "Take me to see her."
........
Three days later, the Gao Family received an invitation from the Yao Family. It was a summons for the Gao Family Patriarch, Gao Ming, to attend a gathering in Kaiyang City, the seat of Kaiyang County.
The news immediately caused a huge stir in Phoenix City.
The Zhang Mansion, rear courtyard.
Zhang Hua frowned. "The way I see it, the Gao Family must have offended the Yao Family. Otherwise, the Yaos wouldn’t have sent Gao Ming an invitation. Historically, an invitation from the Yao Family means a Hongmen Banquet."
Zhang Hui nodded slowly. "Anyone can see it’s a Hongmen Banquet. I don’t think the Yao Family will let this go easily. The key question is whether they’re doing this to help the Wen Family. That remains to be seen."
Zhang Hua said worriedly, "Exactly. I’m afraid the Yao Family is making a move on behalf of the Wen Family. If that’s the case, the balance of power in Phoenix City will be completely overturned."
The Wen Family, main hall.
Wen Xu looked at Wen Gui and asked, "Uncle Gui, why do you think Yao Luojun would suddenly make a move against the Gao Family? Could it be to help our Wen Family?"
Wen Gui stroked his beard and smiled. "It’s possible. You must remember that Tongyu is no longer an ordinary person. Even the Yao Family has to show some deference now."
’This sudden move by the Yao Family isn’t so simple,’ Wen Gui chuckled inwardly. ’It seems like someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes.’
"Yes, Tongyu’s talent is astonishing. In a few years, the Wen Family’s strength will definitely surpass that of the Yao Family of Kaiyang County."
"That’s right! They’re trying to curry favor with us now entirely because of Tongyu."
The surrounding Wen Family Elders all voiced their agreement. They unanimously concluded that the Yao Family was acting against the Gao Family out of awe for Wen Tongyu’s might, forced to curry favor with the Wens.
On this day, Wen Qingye was cultivating.
"Young Master, Patriarch Gao Ming of the Gao Family is here to see you," Jie Jiachun said softly from outside the door. freeweɓnøvel.com
"All right, I know."
A moment later, Wen Qingye came out. He saw Gao Ming standing before the door, his face ashen and his eyes weary.
Wen Qingye asked directly, "Patriarch Gao, what brings you here today?"
THUD!
Gao Ming fell to his knees the moment he saw Wen Qingye.
"I beg you, Young Master Wen, save the three hundred members of my Gao Family!"
Wen Qingye frowned and helped Gao Ming up. "What exactly is going on? Tell me everything clearly."
Helped to his feet by Wen Qingye, Gao Ming sighed and began to speak slowly.
After Gao Ming finished, Wen Qingye nodded. "So, the Yao Family is ostensibly summoning you to discuss the matter of Tang Ying, but they’re secretly looking for an excuse to eliminate you?"
Gao Ming nodded helplessly, his eyes filled with resignation, fatigue, and a hint of terror. "When the Yao Family sent me that invitation, I knew it was bad. I believe that you, Young Master Wen, are the only one who can save the Gao Family now."
As he spoke, Gao Ming looked intently at Wen Qingye.
Meeting Gao Ming’s gaze, Wen Qingye’s eyebrows shot up as realization dawned on him. ’It seems the Yao Family isn’t just trying to eliminate the Gao Family this time,’ he thought. ’They’re also coming after me!’
’Is it because of the Yao Clan, or Jie Jiachun?’
