Chapter Seventeen: Virtue Unbefitting the Throne

Tang Kenian was dressed in a black tailcoat, a smile on his face, leading hundreds of beautiful women in colorful cheongsams to present birthday gifts at the banquet. Old Master Yao was overjoyed, and not only him—the other members of the Yao family in attendance were all immersed in immense shock, unable to recover for a long time.

After all, the Yao family was only a third-tier family in Binhai City. Their entire family fortune amounted to just about two hundred million, with liquid assets of only a few tens of millions at best. Now, in an instant, they were receiving birthday gifts worth nearly half of their entire family’s wealth—anyone would be overwhelmed with excitement and joy.

What’s more, these gifts were from the Tang family.

Was there any other Tang family in Binhai City capable of presenting a birthday offering of one hundred million at once? Such extravagance could only be matched by the city’s top families—no one else could manage it!

And the implications of this gesture were self-evident.

In a few days, news of the Yao family being honored by the Tang family would spread throughout Binhai City. By then, the Yao family’s status would surely rise with the tide.

If not for themselves, then for the sake of the Tang family’s reputation, the Yao family would soar with this alliance. With the Tang family’s friendship and endorsement, it was no longer a dream for the Yao family to ascend to new heights!

Even more so, if they could form an alliance with the Tang family, even as a subordinate, life would be far better than it was now.

Old Master Yao, though advanced in age, was still sharp and ambitious. The fact that he still held the reins of the family business at seventy spoke volumes.

However, the key question at the moment was: Who exactly was this Mr. Lin that Tang Kenian mentioned? What was his relationship with the Yao family? Could this connection be utilized? Should it be carefully maintained? This series of questions concerned the future of the entire family and could not be taken lightly.

“Hey, isn’t Lin Feng’s surname also Lin?”

At this moment, a junior member suddenly recalled something and shouted out.

Lin Feng?

The entire Yao family, upon hearing this name, all sneered in disdain. Lin Feng? With his reputation, how could he possibly be connected to the Tang family? He was nothing but a good-for-nothing—let alone having connections with the Tang family, he probably didn’t even know which direction the Tang family’s mansion faced!

“Stop joking, Lin Feng? With his character, even if he knows the head of the Tang family, the Tang family head might not even know him! Does he even think before he speaks?” Yao Xingye glanced at Lin Feng with contempt, his voice full of mockery.

The other members of the Yao family nodded in agreement. A fallen young master, a useless wretch, favored by the head of the Tang family? Pure fantasy!

Even Yao Qianqian looked at Lin Feng with dim eyes, thinking to herself, “Am I still hoping for something from this worthless man? How pathetic and laughable!”

Yao Xingye’s eyes darted about. Quietly, he tiptoed to Old Master Yao’s side and whispered, “Grandfather, don’t forget, my mother’s surname is Lin!”

The eldest daughter-in-law?

Reminded by Yao Xingye, Old Master Yao suddenly remembered. Wasn’t the eldest daughter-in-law’s maiden family named Lin? Moreover, her father had been in government for years, and rumor had it he might soon be transferred to Binhai City.

Could it be that the Tang family had already received definite news and thus came to build ties with the Yao family in advance?

As the saying goes, local power is greater than distant authority. For the Tang family to maintain their position at the top of Binhai City, they could not afford to offend the officials. In that sense, it was highly likely to be because of their in-law.

“My dear daughter-in-law, the Tang family’s courtesy may well be due to your father’s transfer. You should handle the reception,” Old Master Yao said, following the current, giving his eldest daughter-in-law a chance to shine. The Yao family might still need her family’s support in the future.

Seeing this, the eldest daughter-in-law rose gracefully and bowed respectfully, “Father-in-law, since you have spoken, I will of course comply.”

With that, she straightened her back, proud as a peacock. Her gold and silver jewelry jingled with every step, as if accompanying her triumph with music.

As she passed Lin Feng, she gave him a sidelong, disdainful glance and whispered, “Boy, people may share a surname, but fates differ. Someone with my surname receives gifts worth tens of millions, while you... Tsk tsk, you’d best kneel and apologize quietly!”

With the airs of a lady of distinction, she strode gracefully to Tang Kenian. With a toss of her hair and a faint smile, she said, “Mr. Tang, you must be here for my father. You are most considerate. Please inform the head of your family that I will relay his intentions to my father as they are. Thank you.”

She bowed elegantly, displaying all the manners of a noblewoman.

But Tang Kenian was utterly bewildered by this turn of events.

What? Mr. Lin is your father? Is this a joke?

Mr. Lin was in his twenties—how could he have a daughter in her forties? What kind of farce was this?

Tang Kenian’s expression was awkward; for a moment, he was completely at a loss, unsure how to respond.

Finally, he had no choice but to step forward, approaching Lin Feng respectfully, and said, “Mr. Lin, these are all the jade artifacts you selected at the Great Tang Emporium. The head of the family knew you intended them as birthday gifts, so he added a few appropriate presents. Here is the gift list for your review.”

A collective gasp swept through the room.

Tang Kenian’s words struck the Yao family like a bolt of lightning, leaving them speechless.

So the so-called “Mr. Lin” was not the eldest daughter-in-law’s father, but Lin Feng!

As this revelation landed, the entire hall fell silent. Every member of the Yao family was left wide-eyed and stunned, their chopsticks falling from their hands in shock.

The eldest daughter-in-law was so mortified she stood rooted to the spot, her face burning red as if she had just been slapped dozens of times. If there had been a crack in the floor, she would have wished to crawl into it on the spot.

“It’s really Lin Feng! Wonderful! That means...” Yao Qianqian, who a moment ago lamented her pathetic situation, was instantly overjoyed, already plotting how to use Lin Feng’s connections to embark on her journey as a true businesswoman.

It must be said, the one hit hardest by this outcome was Yao Xingye.

It was well known that of all the Yao family, Yao Xingye treated Lin Feng the worst, bullying and mocking him at every opportunity. Now that Lin Feng had the upper hand, Yao Xingye was sure to pay the price.

Recalling his past mistreatment of Lin Feng, Yao Xingye felt a sudden chill and heat, his legs giving way as he collapsed onto the floor, unable to get up for a long while.

“Lin Feng, I never expected you to be so filial. Good, good! I will now promote you to an important post in the company. Please work hard and do not let down my hopes!” Old Master Yao, wise and cunning from age, immediately began to promote Lin Feng, seeing his connection to the Tang family.

It must be noted that for years, it was Old Master Yao himself who had strictly guarded against Lin Feng and suppressed him, fearing that Lin Feng might one day supplant the Yao family and make it his own.

Now, however, he was all smiles, eagerly supporting Lin Feng in front of Tang Kenian.

But Lin Feng was unmoved by these displays.

He gazed coldly at Old Master Yao’s wrinkled, smiling face and said indifferently, “Thank you, Grandfather. After all these years sidelined, you finally see that your live-in son-in-law is capable?”

“In that case, Tang Kenian, I wish to return the gifts.”

“Return the gifts?” Tang Kenian was astonished.

“That’s right. Jade is a national treasure. Some are worthy, some are not. Those without virtue should not possess such flawless jade. Please return them all for me.”

“Yes, Mr. Lin, your wishes will be followed to the letter!” Tang Kenian, quick-witted, immediately understood Lin Feng’s status in the Yao family and his attitude toward them.

It seemed the Tang family’s attitude toward the Yao family would also need to change.

With a wave of his hand, Tang Kenian signaled the hundreds of beautiful women bearing gifts to withdraw from the Tianhe Hotel. At the end of the procession, he bowed deeply to Lin Feng before leaving in reverse.

In less than a minute, the entire atmosphere of the banquet plunged instantly to ice.