The lights suddenly dimmed, music began to play, and the noisy chattering stopped abruptly. Everyone stared at the main stage, searching for the star of today's banquet.
Mr. Fu, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, took the microphone and walked towards the center of the stage built in the courtyard.
"First of all, thank you all for coming to the engagement party for my grandson and the daughter of the Jiang family. I'm sure the rumors about our two families have caused a stir in South City. The fact that we can hold the engagement party at the Dongfang Old House today is, of course, thanks to the strong support of my in-law, Mr. Jiang. Okay, I won't waste any more time, let's invite the hero of today's party to the stage!"
Before the audience had time to react, the man appeared in their sight.
Fu Linxiao, wearing his burgundy suit, slowly walked onto the stage, took the microphone from Mr. Fu, and nodded, "Everyone, today is my engagement party, Fu Linxiao! I've seen all the trending searches about me and my fiancée, and I think you'll get the answers you want by the end of the party. Without further ado, please invite my fiancée to the stage!"
All the lights were turned off, and a spotlight was shone on the stairs. Jiang Luoning was wearing a burgundy evening gown, with an old man on each side. The one on the left was the old man of the Jiang family, and the one on the right was Dongfang Yunchu.
The people below were all surprised when they saw the two old men appear. Some were confused about the identity of the other old man, some marveled at Jiang Luoning's beauty, and there were also many who expressed jealousy and contempt.
"Is this girl the eldest daughter of the Jiang family? She's so beautiful!"
"Yes! If this look is still considered ugly, then I would be disfigured!" A plain-looking young lady from aristocratic family covered her face and spoke in embarrassment.
"If I had known Miss Jiang was so beautiful, I would have tried to win her over!" A fearless dandy young man said jokingly.
As soon as the man finished speaking, the people who were closest to him stepped back, obviously not wanting to have too much involvement with this man with a bubble in his head.
The discussion below continued until everyone heard a heavy and deep middle-aged voice.
"That, that is the head of the hermit Dongfang family!?" The owner of the voice was from the earliest rising family among the ten wealthy families, and he was also fortunate enough to have met Dongfang Yunchu when he was young.
Hearing someone recognize him, Dongfang Yunchu looked at the person, but he didn't recognize them. Amidst the clamor of discussion, the three of them arrived beside Fu Linxiao. Old Master Jiang took over the conversation and glanced at Jiang Luoning beside him. "Today is the engagement day of my Jiang family's youngest granddaughter, Jiang Luoning. I'm honored to have invited my in-laws, Ningning's grandfather! Dongfang Yunchu, the previous patriarch of the reclusive Dongfang family, to come. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to witnessing the Dongfang family's return to the imperial capital!"
The topic was handed over to Dongfang Yunchu. He looked around at everyone. Even before he spoke, a kind of pressure shook the entire courtyard, making people shudder and dare not look directly at him. "I announce that the Dongfang family has officially returned to the imperial capital today, on the day of my granddaughter's engagement. The new head of the family is my youngest son Dongfang Han. The dowry that our Dongfang family has prepared for Ningning is this Dongfang Courtyard under your feet!"
Even Jiang Luoning on the stage was shocked by these words. How could this ancient house become her dowry? How could she not know about it? The guests below were even more confused. Today's banquet had truly made them nervous. One piece of news followed another, leaving them no chance to digest it all.
Dongfang Han's appearance on stage pushed the banquet to another climax: "I am Dongfang Han, the current head of the Dongfang family. As Ningning's uncle, I would like everyone to be a witness today!" After that, he handed the red book in his hand and a land deed embedded in a photo frame to Jiang Luoning.
Jiang Luoning was still in shock. Fu Linxiao held her hand slightly, trying to get her to come back to her senses. The girl was stunned for a moment, then took the thing from Dongfang Han's hand, smiled, and said softly, "Thank you, uncle!"
"Lin Xiao, little Ningning is engaged to you today in front of all of us. If Ningning is unhappy or something unexpected happens in the future, not to mention the Jiang family, our Hermit Clan will not let you go!"
These words were ostensibly addressed to Fu Linxiao, but his peripheral vision swept over the people in the audience, observing their various expressions, trying to discern whether any of Helian's remnants were among them.
"Uncle, don't worry. Ning'er's life is more important than the entire Fu family!"
Fu Linxiao bowed and agreed, making a rare promise that shocked all the guests at the banquet.
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