"What?"
Upon hearing Shen Lang's words, Kong Wudao's expression changed. "Shen Lang, don't make baseless accusations. I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Young Master Kong, I understand. This kind of thing is best left unsaid between us, but I'm truly grateful to you."
Shen Lang placed his hand on Kong Wudao's shoulder and laughed heartily. "Don't worry, Young Master Kong, you're my brother from now on. I'll look out for you and help you become the number one young master in Longdu."
"Young Master Shen, stop using such crude acting to sow discord. I believe in Young Master Kong; he would never be in cahoots with you."
Qi Tuojiang smiled at Shen Lang. "You want to cause trouble for Young Master Zhao; that's your business, and it has nothing to do with Young Master Kong. Stop trying to create division."
"Alas, you don't believe the truth, but the evidence against Young Master Zhao was indeed found by Yu Linling. And who is Yu Linling, I doubt any of you don't know her?"
Shen Lang spread his hands and smiled. "Believe it or not, it's up to you. I don't care."
"Yu Linling?"
Hearing this name, Zhao Shengtian's face darkened. He said calmly, "I remember this woman. She's Young Master Kong's strategist and the Kong family's advisor, correct?"
Zhao Shengtian looked at Qi Tuojiang, quietly awaiting his answer.
"Young Master Zhao has a good memory. Yu Linling is indeed Young Master Kong's strategist and the Kong family's advisor."
Qi Tuojiang smiled. "We will explain about Yu Linling to you later, Young Master Zhao, but please do not believe anyone's attempts to sow discord."
"Hahaha, Young Master Qi, you underestimate me. How could I have my relationship with you strained by the few words of a stranger?"
Zhao Shengtian laughed heartily and said to Qi Tuojiang, "You don't need to explain. I trust you."
"Zhao Shengtian, you truly are an honest man. You help others count the money even after being sold out. Is there anyone more honest than you in this world?"
"However, it doesn't matter. Yu Linling is irrelevant. What's important is that you surrender obediently and return with us to accept a thorough investigation."
Shen Lang looked at Zhao Shengtian and smiled. "Don't resist futilely, because it won't do you any good. Since you know my name, you should be even more aware of my methods. I don't care if you're some young master of Longdu. If you resist, I'll break one of your legs before taking you back."
"Young Master Shen, those words are a bit excessive."
After Shen Lang finished speaking, Kong Wudao stepped forward and said, "Today is Young Master Zhao's engagement ceremony, the most important day of his life. You've brought people here in such a grand fashion for no reason, claiming Young Master Zhao is a criminal suspect and demanding he be taken back for investigation. However, so far, you haven't produced any concrete evidence. This is hardly convincing."
"Kong Wudao, this is not your place to speak. Shut up."
After Kong Wudao finished speaking, Shen Lang glared at him with displeasure. "We don't need to explain to you what crime Zhao Shengtian committed. But if you dare to obstruct justice, don't blame me for dealing with you before apprehending him."
"Deal with me?"
Hearing this, Kong Wudao smiled. "I abide by the law. How will you deal with me?"
"Abide by the law? Kong Wudao, don't be ridiculous. Of those four words, only the second one seems to have any relation to you. The others don't seem to apply to you at all."
Just as Kong Wudao finished speaking, a man holding a white folding fan, wearing a white mink coat, with his hair neatly combed and wearing sunglasses, walked in and said with disdain.
Behind the man in sunglasses, more than twenty young men and women in luxurious attire slowly followed.
These people, though dressed differently, had a consistent demeanor. All of them wore proud and defiant expressions, their eyes filled with disdain and contempt for everyone else.
"Rong Haodong, why are you here?"
Seeing the man in sunglasses, Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao exclaimed in surprise in unison.
"What? Can't this young master be here?"
The man in sunglasses slowly removed his sunglasses, revealing cold eyes, and smiled. "Today is Young Master Zhao Shengtian's engagement ceremony. Although Young Master Zhao didn't invite me, since I'm in Nanling, I should come to offer my blessings."
"Yuan Yuan, present the gift I prepared for Young Master Zhao."
Rong Haodong opened the white folding fan in his hand and smiled.
"Understood!"
As Rong Haodong's voice fell, a white-clad maiden behind him responded and, holding a wooden box with both hands, walked towards Zhao Shengtian.
"Young Master Zhao, this is the gift Young Master Rong prepared for you. Please accept it."
The white-clad maiden looked at Rong Haodong with a professional smile.
Upon hearing the maiden's words, Zhao Shengtian smiled slightly. "In that case, thank you, Young Master Rong."
Saying this, Zhao Shengtian took the wooden box.
The wooden box was made of golden-nanmu, and the box itself was of considerable value. This made Zhao Shengtian curious about the gift, so he opened the box.
As the lid was opened, Zhao Shengtian saw a pair of exquisitely carved jade bangles inside.
Zhao Shengtian had seen many exquisite jade bangles, but he had never seen one so fine. Furthermore, it was carved from the same material as the Heshibi Jade. Its value was estimated to be in the tens of millions.
Zhao Shengtian hadn't expected Rong Haodong to prepare such a generous gift, which made him look at Rong Haodong with a touch of surprise.
Zhao Shengtian had met Rong Haodong before, but only casually; their acquaintance was not deep.
Zhao Shengtian didn't think highly of playboys like Rong Haodong, so even though he knew Rong Haodong was in Nanling, he hadn't invited him to his engagement.
"Young Master Zhao, do you like it?"
Amidst Zhao Shengtian's surprise, Rong Haodong walked over with a smile and said to Zhao Shengtian, "Jade symbolizes unwavering loyalty, and rings symbolize endless beginnings and endings. Let this gift convey my affections, for eternal good fortune."
"Young Master Zhao, why are you frozen? Go and put them on your fiancée."
"Young Master Rong, thank you."
Seeing Rong Haodong's earnestness, Zhao Shengtian's face showed a hint of gratitude, and he reached out to pick up one of the jade bangles.
However, the moment he picked up the bangle, Zhao Shengtian's face instantly turned incredibly grim.
Because, as soon as the jade bangle was lifted, it was instantly covered in countless cracks, and then it shattered with a crackle, falling to the ground like scattered glass beads, the sound clattering incessantly.
"A true gentleman is as refined as jade. Jade shattering without cause, it seems today is not a good day for an engagement."
Rong Haodong watched the scene before him, his eyes widening.
"Yes, today is indeed not a good day. It is not suitable for an engagement."
Yan Weiyuan echoed Rong Haodong's words and smiled. "Young Master Rong, according to the imperial calendar, today is suitable for sweeping, sacrifices, and teaching livestock. Avoid other matters."
"Is that so..."
Hearing this, Rong Haodong said to Zhao Shengtian with a serious tone, "Young Master Zhao, it seems your engagement ceremony must be canceled, otherwise, it is very dangerous."