"Ruoying, with her son-in-law Zhang Yi and grandson Zhang Jian, pays respects to her father and mother. This unfilial daughter has burdened you with worries for so many years!"
Madam Zhang Qi appeared somewhat emotionally moved.
Beside her, Zhang Yi, tall in stature, with a slightly darkened face and some facial hair, exuded great authority. Witnessing this, he softly consoled Madam Zhang Qi. Yet, under Qi Yi’s intense, stern gaze, his face tensed slightly, although this head of Zhang Family had quite a thick skin and remained unfazed.
He simply cupped his hands and said, "To my father-in-law and mother-in-law above, your son-in-law pays homage and congratulations on your great birthday!"
His face was solemn, completely indifferent to the piercing gaze from several brothers-in-law.
Zhang Jian watched and couldn’t help but admire the thickness of his father’s face, something he himself couldn’t quite match.
Qi Yi’s complexion was somewhat ashen.
"Patriarch Zhang, your gesture today really leaves this old man feeling undeserving!"
He randomly rolled up his sleeves, not even sparing Zhang Yi a glance.
Within the main hall, other relatives and friends watched this scene with subtle expressions, many seeing it as a bit of a joke.
The commotion back then between Zhang Yi and Qi Ruoying was something they were all very familiar with.
Actually, Qi Ruoying was already engaged back then, but she ended up with Zhang Yi, forcing the Qi Family to break off the engagement, offending long-standing friends. The entire Qi Family harbored some resentment over this matter.
Not to mention the old master, Qi Yi.
Although the aftermath was handled relatively well and concealed from the outside, it remained a knot in Qi Yi’s heart.
Zhang Yi remained unbothered, instead respectfully saying, "Father-in-law, I was young and reckless back then, and my rash actions offended you and broke the rules. I’ve regretted it deeply ever since. Coming today with Ruoying is to sincerely offer an apology!"
"Third brother-in-law speaks too lightly. Hmph, back then when you... illicitly paired in private, you not only affected your Zhang Family’s reputation..." A noblewoman in her thirties beside him eyed Zhang Yi and Zhang Jian father and son with obvious disdain, not hiding her emotions.
This was Madam Gu Qi, whose daughter, Gu Linlang, tugged at her.
Seeing this, Zhang Yi sincerely said, "I ask for everyone’s understanding!"
Still resentful, Madam Gu Qi was about to retort, but another elegant middle-aged man beside her stopped her.
"Second brother!"
Madam Gu Qi bit her lip but refrained from speaking.
Yet, she ultimately blamed the pairing on Madam Zhang Qi, which had affected her marriage prospects.
Upon hearing these words, Qi Yi glanced at Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi’s humble posture left him speechless, and seeing Madam Zhang Qi looking ever more tenderly at Zhang Yi, he could no longer express his anger. The elderly lady quickly mediated.
"You may all rise!"
"It is good that you are back!"
The elderly lady beamed warmly.
She looked at Madam Zhang Qi with some affection, truly feeling pity for her daughter.
Madam Zhang Qi’s eyes welled up, and then she said,
"Mother, my husband and I have prepared a few small gifts for Father’s birthday. Ah Yu, please bring them over!"
Zhang Jian nodded in response.
Under the watchful eyes of many relatives and friends, he took several brocade boxes from Zhang Lu and Hu Shan.
Then, he opened them in front of everyone.
Inside were a delicate Exquisite Coral and a Jade Treasure Bottle, along with an ancient painting and a handwritten scripture book!
"Father, although this Exquisite Jade Coral and Jade Treasure Bottle are not very valuable, the coral brings blessings, and the jade nurtures wellness, surely bringing you and Mother good fortune and longevity!"
As Qi Ruoying finished speaking, Zhang Jian noticed that his maternal grandfather’s expression significantly softened.
In fact, all the relatives and friends present could see that the palm-sized Exquisite Jade Coral and the verdant Jadeite Jade Bottle, as green as the blue sky, were undoubtedly priceless, not something one could easily buy even with wealth, but requiring influence as well.
Certainly not as modestly valued as Qi Ruoying suggested.
The ancient painting was no less significant; called the Gathering of Immortals Celebrating Birthday, it too was the work of a renowned master.
Its value was extraordinary.
Standing in the main hall, Zhang Jian could clearly see that the elders of the Qi Mansion were somewhat stirred, each exhibiting different expressions.
Though they had been polite, in essence, a certain bias still lingered. To many Qi Family members, although the Zhang Family was wealthy and powerful, it was still considered minor compared to the prestigious military family lineage of the Qi Family, with generations of honor.
However, the wealth displayed by the Zhang Family today was indeed hard to dismiss.
Initially, Zhang Yi intended to use a few antiques and jade items from the Mian King’s Tomb as gestures, but Zhang Jian ultimately replaced them with something more significant.
Though his maternal grandfather Qi Yi had never been quite close, his grandmother had been good to him. Even for the sake of his mother, Madam Zhang Qi, a replacement was appropriate.
Zhang Jian could understand if Zhang Yi had suffered considerably at the hands of the Qi Family back then, leaving him with lingering resentment.
It’s understandable, considering the Zhang Family had not yet reached its current size at the time.
And to have faced such a powerful behemoth as the Qi Family,
maintaining perseverance must have cost Zhang Yi considerable effort and heartache, making his resentment understandable.
At this moment, Qi Ruoying’s delicate face also radiated joy, as Zhang Yi and Zhang Jian had greatly enhanced her family’s reputation within the Qi Family, and she was naturally overjoyed.
"And this last gift is a volume of the Jia Chen Martial Scripture. This is a superior body refining method, which can enhance the martial foundation of our Qi Family. Knowing that Father loves martial arts, my husband went through all lengths to collect a superior classic as a gift, wishing for the flourishing martial destiny of our Qi Family!"
Qi Ruoying smiled broadly, and finally had Zhang Jian step forward to present the last treasure box for Qi Yi to peruse personally.
She noticed that the faces of relatives and friends present had changed rapidly, and many elderly Qi Family members who were initially just watching the spectacle perked up their ears, their expressions changing dramatically.
"Jia Chen Martial Scripture?"
As the words fell, Qi Yi could not help but stand up.
Zhang Jian observed that Qi Yuanwu and Qi Yuansi, the two usually composed uncles, also showed a change in expression, their eyes barely concealing a fierce upheaval.
He was well aware of the shock this thing would bring to the Qi Family.
For a military family, nothing is more important than such foundational items.
Especially since the Jia Chen Martial Scripture is not just any superior body refining technique, it is rumored to be of great renown.
This is a mysterious technique left by a body refining martial artist who reached the Grandmaster stage.
This body refining method came from the Mian King’s Tomb.
But from the look on Qi Yi’s face, even if it were pulled from a dead man’s hands, he would gladly accept it.
This kind of body refining technique should not be given out; it should be preserved as a family’s treasured legacy, even serving as a fundamental establishment.
However, ever since learning that Zhang Jian and Zhang Yi embarked on the path of longevity, Zhang Yi changed his mind and decided to use this as a bargaining chip.
This is also a sort of political exchange with the Qi Family.
To gain Qi Family’s support for Zhang Family’s expansion into other large counties of Fengyang County.
Qi Yi solemnly examined the handwritten Jia Chen Martial Scripture in his hands. With his insight, he could almost immediately tell that this mysterious technique was genuine.
His eyes gleamed with a faint ripple.
This mysterious technique provides quite an inspiration for him to reach the Grandmaster stage.
Though he harbors countless opinions about Zhang Yi, even the anger in his heart dissipated more than half, and for the first time, his stern and solemn face squeezed out a smile.
He nodded at Zhang Yi and Zhang Jian, father and son.
"Sanya didn’t misjudge the person!"
Zhang Jian stood beside, noticing Madam Zhang Qi’s joyful tears, her eyes shimmering slightly.
After the Zhang couple finished paying their respects, they stood aside!
Zhang Jian noticed a subtle shift in the expressions of some of the aunts and uncles.
Probably cursing in their hearts by now.
Especially the two uncles who, before, prided themselves as the leading figures, both from prominent noble families in Haojing, one of genuine royal descent and the other the grandson of a former Prime Minister.
Old acquaintances of the Qi Family’s patriarch!
Their expressions were not very pleasant.
Zhang Jian was also delighted to watch the show, as the competition wasn’t initiated by the Zhang Family, but by these two self-satisfied uncles from esteemed backgrounds.
Meanwhile, the other two aunts and uncles had to bravely step forward and present their gifts.
These two gifts, though substantial, were clearly inferior to those presented by the previous three, especially compared to the gift from Zhang Yi and his wife.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t present any valuable gifts, but that the two aunts and uncles were caught off guard, unprepared for such fierce competition at Qi Yi’s birthday celebration and thus miscalculated.
After the five daughters of the Qi Family finished paying their respects in succession, friends and relatives also stepped forward to give substantial gifts.
By noon, the birthday celebration officially began.
And as the celebration reached its climax, some distinguished guests entered the Qi Family at the auspicious hour.
The young masters of the Qi Family tasked with greeting guests truly became busy.
The chanting of the door attendants rang out one after another!
"Governor of Fengyang County, Yu Tongguang, and Yu County Ruler have come to wish the patriarch a happy birthday!"
"County Captain of Fengyang County, Wang Shao, has come to wish the patriarch a happy birthday!"
"Gu Chengyan of Fengyang County, Master Gu, has come to wish the patriarch a happy birthday!"
"Master Yu You of the Yu Family in Fengyang County has come to wish the patriarch a happy birthday!"
"Inspector Imperial Censor Yao, Inspector Yao, from Fengyang County has come to wish the patriarch a happy birthday!"
...
The front courtyard was packed with guests, and with the arrival of several heavyweight guests from the county, even the longevity star, Qi Yi, had to personally step forward to accompany them.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jian sensed something amiss amid the hustle and bustle.
Not only with the arriving guests but also within and outside the Qi Family, there was a sense of lurking menace.