The Tang family villa, the main hall.
This place brought together three generations of the Tang family, as well as several important relatives.
The reorganization of the five military regions, with the Western Territory's King Xiaoyao transferred to Jiangzhong to become the commander-in-chief of the five armies, was a major event that shook Jiangzhong, and even the five major regions.
The Xiaoyao King's succession ceremony was imminent. This ceremony was open to the public, with ample seating for spectators. However, only the truly powerful and influential were eligible to witness the ceremony.
The seven major families from the five major regions—Jiangbei, Jiangzhong, Nanhua, Haicheng, and Tianhai—all stared at the spectator seats, eager to witness the Xiaoyao King's succession ceremony.
Because it was a symbol of power and nobility.
To be able to attend and witness the Xiaoyao King's succession ceremony signified membership in a truly powerful family.
Rumors circulated that the Xiaoyao King's succession ceremony would take place tomorrow.
It was also rumored that only 100 seats in the spectator seats were open to the public, with the remainder reserved for a few core members of the inner circle.
The official date for the succession ceremony hadn't been officially announced.
However, to secure the rumored 100 spots, many families from the five districts were scrambling to secure viewing spots.
Tang Tianlong was no exception.
He dreamed of making the Tang family truly wealthy and joining the ranks of top families. This was a golden opportunity, and he couldn't miss it.
So, he convened a family meeting, gathering everyone to discuss a solution.
Most of the Tang family members were present.
Only Tang Chuchu's family hadn't arrived yet.
"Grandpa, the Tang Chuchu family is too arrogant. Ever since Grandpa gave Tang Bo a 10% stake in the family business, they've become increasingly outrageous. Now they're even late for family meetings," Tang Hai's son, Tang Lei, began to stir up trouble again.
Ever since Tang Chuchu demanded shares in Tang Bo, the Tang Hai family had been unhappy.
This was because, after Tang Tianlong gave Tang Bo shares, he reclaimed some of Tang Hai's shares.
Tang Hai currently holds fewer shares than Tang Bo.
"Yes, Grandpa, I think giving Tang Bo 10% is too much," Tang Mengying also spoke up, discontent on her face. "Why? Just because Tang Chuchu slept with Chairman Qianjun?"
"Clan leader, I suggest reclaiming Tang Bo's shares."
"They haven't contributed anything to the family and don't deserve so many shares."
"Yes, they've been eating and using the family's money for years, and you still want shares?"
The Tang family members began to speak up.
Tang Tianlong, wearing a blue Mao suit and smoking a pipe, didn't want to give Tang Bo any shares either.
Because, in his eyes, of his three sons, Tang Bo was the most useless, and of his grandsons, Tang Bo's son, Tang Song, was the least capable.
But if he didn't give them shares, the Tang family would lose the opportunity to cooperate with Qianjun, and thus lose the chance to join the elite families.
Tang Tianlong waved his hand slightly. "Alright, I'm not senile yet. I know my limits."
Tang Hai sat aside, silent. He had instigated his family members to speak ill of Tang Chuchu's family in front of Tang Tianlong. Seeing that Tang Tianlong remained unmoved, he continued his plan.
He was plotting to reclaim Tang Bo's shares.
Tang Jie's family, on the other hand, remained silent.
Because they already held a considerable amount of shares, giving Tang Bo shares wouldn't affect them much.
Just then, Tang Chuchu's family walked in.
"Dad, I'm late. Sorry," He Yanmei apologized upon entering.
Everyone looked over, surprised to see Tang Chuchu's family approaching and Tang Chuchu, whose appearance had returned to normal.
What had happened?
How had Tang Chuchu's facial wounds healed in just a few days?
At the Jiangzhong Hotel, they had witnessed Xiao Zhan slashing Tang Chuchu's face with a knife. Now, all the wounds had healed, and there were no scars left?
Everyone didn't know what was going on, but the sight of Tang Chuchu filled them with displeasure.
In the eyes of the Tang family, Tang Chuchu was a jinx.
In the past ten years, the Tang family had produced the ugliest woman in Jiang, making them a laughingstock and bringing disgrace to the family.
Last time, it was Tang Chuchu again who nearly brought the Tang family to ruin.
Tang Hai slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and shouted, "Tang Bo, you're going too far! How could you be late for the family meeting? Do you really think that just because you've acquired family shares, your family's status will rise, and you can expect everyone to wait for you?"
"Brother, I'm sorry," Tang Bo said, bowing his head and apologizing profusely.
Tang Chuchu also came over and said, "Uncle, I wasted time. It's none of Dad's business."
Tang Hai's face darkened, and he roared, "Tang Chuchu, don't you know the family rules? Family meetings are above all else. Don't think you can ignore them just because you have a flirtatious relationship with Chairman Qianjun."
"Yes, it was because of Tang Chuchu that we almost died at Xiao Zhan's hands."
"Thank goodness, heaven didn't destroy our Tang family, otherwise we would have been expelled from Jiangzhong."
"You jinx, you dare to ask for 10% of the family shares right away."
The Tang family members clashed back and forth.
"That's enough." Tang Tianlong waved his hand slightly.
The Tang family members finally stopped talking.
Jiang Chen, on the other hand, remained silent throughout. This was the Tang family, and he was merely a son-in-law. Speaking now would only provoke attacks and cause trouble for Chuchu.
Seeing that most people had arrived, Tang Tianlong finally spoke. "There's talk outside that tomorrow will be the Xiaoyao King Succession Ceremony. There's also talk about 100 spots available to watch the ceremony. Think of a way to secure one."
No one in the Tang family said a word.
Getting a spot? How could that be possible?
With so many families in the five districts, no matter how the process went, it wouldn't be the Tangs, a lowly family.
"What's wrong? You're all silent. Aren't you usually quite talkative?" Tang Tianlong glanced at the crowd and angrily said, "Look at you all. When we were fighting for the family inheritance, each one was so enthusiastic, but now it's time to contribute to the family, you're all backing down."
"Grandpa, get Tang Chuchu to step in," said Tang Lei, the third generation of the Tang family. "Isn't Tang Chuchu Qianjun Ye Xiong's lover? If she goes and sleeps with Ye Xiong again, with Ye Xiong's abilities, it shouldn't be difficult for her to secure a spot, right?"
Tang Chuchu had always been weak, daring not to resist anything her family said.
But now she was also furious. She stretched out a trembling hand and pointed at Tang Lei, tears of grievance welling in her eyes. "Tang Lei, stop slandering me."
"Why, isn't it?" Tang Lei glanced at Tang Chuchu. "If he slept with Ye Xiong, why would he be so nice to you? Why would he cancel his cooperation with the Xiao family just for you?"
"You..." Tang Chuchu's chest heaved with anger, and she was almost speechless with grievance.
Tang Bo, on the other hand, said nothing.
He Yanmei wanted to retort, but she didn't know how. Even she suspected that Tang Chuchu and Ye Xiong had slept together.
Jiang Chen stepped towards Tang Lei.
"You, what do you want?" Tang Lei, seeing the burly Jiang Chen approaching, was instantly frightened and stepped back slightly. "Jiang Chen, you useless piece of shit! This is the Tang family. What do you want?"
"Apologize," Jiang Chen spat out.
Tang Lei was also a little intimidated by Jiang Chen, because he had returned from military service.
But remembering this was the Tang family, he steeled himself, straightening his back. "Isn't it true? If she hadn't slept with Ye Xiong, how could Ye Xiong be so nice to her?"
"Pa!"
Jiang Chen swung his hand and slapped him.
The crisp sound of the slap resounded.
"Ah."
Tang Lei cried out in pain, covering his face with his hands. He immediately looked at Tang Tianlong and cried, "Grandpa, look at Jiang Chen. He attacked her during a family meeting. Grandpa, please expel Jiang Chen from the Tang family."
Tang Tianlong raised his eyelids and glanced at Jiang Chen, his face filled with anger.
"Chen, apologize now," Tang Chuchu whispered, pulling Jiang Chen aside.
Although she was happy that Jiang Chen was venting his anger on her behalf, this was the Tang family, a family meeting. Hitting someone during a family meeting violated clan rules.
"You useless bastard! How dare you hit my son? Dad, this is Tang Bo's instigation. He's acting lawless because he owns shares. Dad, expel Jiang Chen from the family and take back Tang Bo's shares." Tang Lei's mother, Li Yan, immediately spoke up.
"Yes, expel Jiang Chen from the family and take back Tang Bo's shares."
"You're truly lawless! Do you think the clan rules don't exist?"
"You're treating the clan rules like a joke?"
"You're showing disrespect for the head of the family."
Many members of the Tang family spoke up.