Chapter 350 - 334: Decision

Chapter 350: Chapter 334: Decision

Chen Shouheng gazed at his wife, and the turmoil in his chest slowly subsided.

After a long moment, the hesitation in Chen Shouheng’s eyes faded. He took a deep breath, squeezed Zhou Shuwei’s hand, and gave a firm nod. "Alright. Then... we’ll agree to cooperate with the Cao Family!"

...

「Four days passed in the blink of an eye.」

At 7:00 AM, the vermilion-lacquered main gates of the Liyang Commandery Magistrate’s Office swung open. On either side stood several times more armored, halberd-wielding County Soldiers than on a normal day.

Today, Chen Shouheng was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with a subtle pattern. Zhou Shuwei wore a moon-white jacket and skirt embroidered with scrolling lotuses, her hair held in a chignon with a single jade hairpin.

They walked side-by-side, ascending the cold stone steps of the Commandery Magistrate’s Office.

A government constable was already waiting to lead them into the second hall.

The hall had been simply furnished. A main table was set at the head, with several rows of chairs below it. A clerk was already off to the side, preparing ink and paper to take records.

When they stepped into the hall, several people were already waiting inside.

In the lead was a middle-aged man of about forty. He had a fair complexion, a light beard on his chin, and a pair of bright, piercing eyes.

Standing behind him were three attendants, all with extraordinary skills. They all had Spirit Realm Cultivation, though they had not yet reached the Grandmaster Realm.

Seeing Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei enter, the middle-aged man’s gaze swept over them. A smile spread across his face as he took the initiative to stand and cup his hands in greeting.

Chen Shouheng’s interest was piqued, but his expression remained unchanged. He returned the gesture and asked, "Greetings, sir. I am Chen Shouheng. May I ask your name?"

"My surname is Tan, and my given name is Mingyuan."

The middle-aged man cupped his hands. "I am from Lu State. Hearing of this grand event in Liyang, I came to join the excitement. I hope for your kind consideration, Young Master Chen."

’Tan?’

Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them.

"You’re too kind, Mr. Tan." ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Chen Shouheng smiled faintly and took the opportunity to ask, "So you are from the Tan Family of Lu State. A pleasure. I wonder, what sort of business does your family conduct in Lu State? Perhaps there will be opportunities for us to cooperate in the future."

Tan Mingyuan’s smile didn’t waver. He chuckled. "Just a small business. We deal in nothing more than goods from the north and south. It’s not worth mentioning."

Chen Shouheng tried probing two more times, but Tan Mingyuan was either vague or changed the subject, remaining extremely tight-lipped.

Zhou Shuwei listened quietly from the side, and her suspicion grew.

’This Tan Family is a little too mysterious.’

Seeing that he wouldn’t get any answers, Chen Shouheng didn’t press the matter. He politely invited Tan Mingyuan to make himself comfortable, and the couple went to sit in a pair of empty Grandmaster’s Chairs to the side.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the tinkling of jade pendants was heard from outside the hall.

Cao Wenxuan walked in, accompanied by two maidservants and a middle-aged man who looked like a Steward.

Today, she wore a lake-green jacket and skirt that made her skin seem as fair as snow. Upon seeing Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei, she offered a radiant smile and a slight nod before finding a seat a moderate distance from the Shouheng couple.

A few moments later, footsteps were heard from the back hall.

"I’ve kept you all waiting!"

Zhao Yuanhong, dressed in his official robes, strode in surrounded by a throng of clerks and government constables, and walked to the main seat.

Everyone rose to return the greeting.

After a few pleasantries, Zhao Yuanhong’s expression turned serious and he got straight to the point. "I have invited you all here today for a matter I’m sure you are all aware of. The assets belonging to the Sun Family are to be used to pay their debts, in accordance with the law. They will be publicly auctioned today to replenish the state treasury."

Then, his tone shifted. "However, the Sun Family’s assets are vast, including fields, residences, weaving mills, inventory, and many other aspects. If we were to auction them as a whole, it would be difficult to find a suitable buyer. Therefore, after deliberation by the Commandery Magistrate’s Office, for the sake of fairness and to make it easier for all of you to bid, we have specially divided the Sun Family’s assets into three portions of roughly equal value."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "In a moment, a Deputy Official will present detailed lists for the three portions of assets. You may all review them carefully. If you are interested in one, you may bid on the spot. The highest bidder wins. Do the three of you have any objections to this arrangement?"

Tan Mingyuan was the first to speak. "Lord Governor, your considerations are thorough, and the arrangements are most appropriate. I have no objections."

Cao Wenxuan also nodded slightly, her voice gentle. "The Cao Family has no objections."

Chen Shouheng met Zhao Yuanhong’s gaze and nodded calmly. "I also have no objections."

"Good!"

Zhao Yuanhong’s smile deepened, and he seemed to let out a sigh of relief. He raised his hand to gesture to a blue-robed Deputy Official beside him. "In that case, let us..."

Just as the word "begin" was about to leave his lips.

A sudden uproar erupted from the direction of the Commandery Magistrate’s Office main gate. Mixed in with the clamor were the shouts of government constables and the sounds of shoving, drowning out the voices in the hall.

Zhao Yuanhong’s face suddenly darkened. He called to the Squad Leader beside him, "Go see what all the commotion is about!"

The Squad Leader acknowledged the order and had just hurried to the entrance of the second hall when he saw the government constables guarding the door stumble backward into the room, their faces a mixture of shock and anger.

Immediately after, several figures swept into the second hall like a gust of wind.

The leader was a stern-faced man of about fifty, with a sheathed longsword hanging from his waist.

Close behind him followed seven or eight young disciples, all uniformly dressed in blue martial attire with an insignia of small, crossed swords embroidered on their cuffs.

The Celestial Sword Sect!

Everyone in the hall, including Zhao Yuanhong, felt their pupils constrict.