Chapter 835 - 101: The Regretful Sheng Family

Quzhou Prefecture Government Office.

Quzhou Military Affairs Department.

Two chief officials, accompanied by numerous subordinates, were hurriedly heading towards a certain street.

Finally, they met at the entrance of the street where the Li Family was located.

"Lord Zhao."

"Lord Fang."

The Prefect of Quzhou and the Director of the Military Affairs Department exchanged glances, nodded to each other without saying much, and proceeded to walk towards the Li Family together.

Both saw regret in each other’s eyes; had they known the Li Family was connected to Lin Chen, they would have attended the funeral of Elder Lord Li.

As Prefect and Director of the Military Affairs Department, their absence at Elder Lord Li’s funeral was not a mistake, as the Imperial Court did not mandate attending the funeral of a former Director of the Military Affairs Department.

A willingness to personally pay respects is a gesture of face to the Li Family; not attending simply means conducting official business.

But the problem lies with... encountering Lin Chen.

This is a person whose words can alter regulations; if Lin Chen harbors dissatisfaction, he need not express it overtly. Even a slight indication would convey the message to the Tao Master and Hall Chief, leading to inevitable demotion or reassignment to nominal positions.

A quarter of an hour later.

When they arrived at the Li Mansion, they found the front hall of the Li Mansion already crowded. Families from all over Quzhou, regardless of their rank, sent representatives.

Their gaze fell upon an elderly gentleman at the head of the gathering, and they quickly stepped forward.

"Greetings, Director Qiu."

Qiu Rufeng, Vice Director of the Jiannan Path Military Affairs Hall; they had crossed paths a few times.

Qiu Rufeng looked at them subduedly, saying, "You are here to honor Elder Lord Li; kindly wait a moment as Lin Chen is currently paying his respects in the mourning hall."

They nodded without expressing any objection. Qiu Rufeng observed the somewhat dazed expressions of the two standing aside and felt empathetic, knowing they were transferred from other paths to Jiangnan Dao.

Jiangnan Dao is currently a focal point of Liang’s attention, and to serve there as chief officials, they require not only sufficient personal strength but also powerful family connections.

During his life, Elder Lord Li was merely Sixth Grade, and his descendants lacked ambition. Most people in their position would have made the same decision.

But some matters in this world defy logic, suggesting these two were somewhat unlucky.

"Years ago... during the evaluation for Martial Path student models in Jiangnan Dao, I recommended Lin Chen. Apart from me, the Quzhou Military Affairs Department also recommended Lin Chen, precisely because of Elder Lord Li. Later, upon learning Lin Chen was competing with another recommended student, Elder Lord Li deemed it unfair for Lin Chen and personally went to the Military Affairs Hall, slapping the table in front of Director Shao."

Qiu Rufeng decided to offer some guidance to the two, speaking not only for their benefit but for the others present.

This time, Lin Chen didn’t attend Elder Lord Li’s funeral secretly but with great fanfare, announcing to everyone that although Elder Lord Li has passed away, as long as he remains, no one can scheme against the Li Family. Lin Chen is here to support the Li Family.

Upon hearing Qiu Rufeng’s words, many present had an epiphany - so that’s why...

"A few years ago, I heard such rumors, but since the Li Family never publicly acknowledged it, the rumor ceased to spread."

"Yes, I’ve heard that rumor too, and there was another saying Lin Chen once sought martial arts guidance from the Li Family, but left in anger after feeling belittled by their condescension. These opposing rumors made them easier to dismiss."

Many martial artists from Quzhou began realizing the sentiments were genuine; just based on Elder Lord Li slapping the table at the Military Affairs Hall for Lin Chen back then, no one dared to engage the Li Family.

A few men who considered seizing Li Family’s business now felt immense relief. Fortunately... they hadn’t acted yet, as if they had started, the family might have been ruined.

Qiu Rufeng noted the crowd’s reactions; there was still more significant information about Elder Lord Li and Lin Chen he hadn’t shared.

Besides assisting Lin Chen in securing the Martial Path student model, Elder Lord Li also imparted teachings.

If Li An were capable, Elder Lord Li surely wouldn’t have concealed relations with Lin Chen; the Imperial Court would have extended favoritism towards the Li Family, but Elder Lord Li refused due to inadequate successors.

Even with Lin Chen’s protection, if Li An failed to exhibit ambition, the family would be more susceptible to jealousy and schemes due to its resources.

Individuals wouldn’t dare openly target the Li Family, but covert pit-digging and scheming wouldn’t be impossible. Lin Chen is far in the Flame Dynasty, unable to constantly monitor the Li Family’s situation.

Understanding this, Elder Lord Li opted to conceal their relationship, avoiding additional attention from the Imperial Court. The Li Family’s current business was not substantial enough to invite rivalry from major families, and the smaller families in Quzhou lacked the courage.

With Lin Chen as a backbone, the Li Family holds an exalted position, averting the envy and scheming of major families while smaller families dare not oppose them, permitting Li An to guard the Li Family’s legacy.

"You said the Li Family’s young mistress proposed breaking off the engagement at this time; how does the Sheng Family react?"

Someone suddenly spoke, making many guests’ expressions turn peculiar, realizing the Sheng Family... had missed a monumental fortune.

Li Qi, Elder Lord Li’s only granddaughter.

Becoming the Li Family’s son-in-law under the bond of Lin Chen and the Li Family could easily pave the way to prosperity.