The Ma family.
This ancient family, which had stood in Jianghai for hundreds of years, could truly be called an aristocratic clan.
No one knew how the Ma family got its start. All they knew was that the ancestors of the Ma family were originally minor figures, often engaged in unsavory professions such as corpse carriers and tomb robbers.
Then one day, the ancestors of the Ma family suddenly announced a change of profession, embarking on the grain transport business. They grew their operations, and their network of contacts broadened.
At that time, the grain transport business was the most dangerous and the most demanding trade!
Countless lives were buried beneath every grain transport route!
Let alone minor figures like the ancestors of the Ma family, who had no power or influence, even some big shots dared not easily get involved in the grain transport business!
Yet, the ancestors of the Ma family carved out a bloody path and built an empire!
From then on, the Ma family soared, enduring for centuries without decline, becoming a true aristocratic clan.
In modern times, under the leadership of Ma Zhenbang, the Ma family prospered even more, subtly showing signs of expanding beyond Jianghai City and dominating the entire S province.
Whether in the underworld or the legitimate world, anyone who met Ma Zhenbang would respectfully address him as "Old Master Ma!"
In the past, Min Ziqiong would never have dared to show the slightest disrespect to Ma Zhenbang, preferring to keep a safe distance.
For although the Min family appeared to be a prominent clan in Jianghai, this was only relative to ordinary people. In the face of a true power broker like Ma Zhenbang, they were still insignificant.
But now, with her daughter's safety at stake, let alone Ma Zhenbang, Min Ziqiong would even dare to confront the four great families of Yanjing!
However, courage was one thing, and reality was another.
As soon as Min Ziqiong stepped out of the car, she was stopped before she could even set foot inside the Ma family's gate.
"I am Min Ziqiong of the Min family, Nannan's mother. I wish to see Old Master Ma," Min Ziqiong quickly explained her purpose to the butler.
However, as soon as the butler heard Min Ziqiong's name, a look of mockery flickered in his eyes.
"Oh, it's Miss Min! My apologies, I forgot that title is no longer fitting for you, as you are already a mother... May I be so bold as to ask if you have found the child's father?"
With a flash, Min Ziqiong's expression instantly darkened.
The butler's question was clearly intended to provoke her!
Min Ziqiong clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly, as if she couldn't resist slapping him.
But in the end, her fingers loosened, and the darkness on her face vanished.
Instead, a helpless and humble smile appeared: "Please trouble Butler Wu to announce me. Tell Old Master Ma that if he truly favors my Nannan, I can bring her to visit more often in the future. But Nannan has just experienced a sudden upheaval and must be very scared. Please allow me to go in and comfort her..."
Min Ziqiong, once known as the "iceberg beauty" of Jianghai, who gave no one face and paid no heed to anyone's emotions, was now like a completely different person for the sake of her daughter, casting aside all her dignity and pride!
"Heh heh," the butler chuckled triumphantly.
But after chuckling, he still shook his head: "I'm sorry, but there are countless children named Nannan in the entire S province. How can you be so sure it's your child? Your child is not here, so please go back from where you came. Perhaps your child was taken away by her unseen wild father. You'd better hurry and chase after them."
Nannan was a dialect used in S province and surrounding areas, applicable to all little girls.
The butler wasn't entirely spouting nonsense.
However, the last sentence revealed the butler's intentions, or rather, the Ma family's intentions.
The Ma family had no intention of returning the child!
Even though Min Ziqiong racked her brain, she couldn't figure out what it was about her child that Ma Zhenbang found so appealing!
"Butler Wu, this is a small token of my appreciation..."
Min Ziqiong steeled herself and took off the most valuable wristwatch she owned.
This wristwatch was a limited edition she had bought for eighty thousand yuan. Even if it hadn't appreciated, it certainly wouldn't have depreciated.
Min Ziqiong didn't believe the butler would be unmoved.
As expected, the butler's eyes lit up.
He casually took the wristwatch, first carefully checking its authenticity, then satisfied, tucked it into his pocket.
Seeing this, Min Ziqiong thought she had succeeded, and the butler would surely allow her in now.
Who would have thought that the butler, as if nothing had happened, would simply wave his hand and say, "What are you still standing here for? Let's go!"
Min Ziqiong's last shred of patience was finally depleted.
"No wonder people behind your back call you Old Dog Wu. You truly are an old dog that eats people without spitting out the bones!"
"Old Dog Wu, give me back my watch! Give me back my daughter!"
Min Ziqiong shouted sternly, like a mother bird fiercely spreading her wings to protect her young, issuing a combat warning to the butler.
The butler, with a look of disdainful amusement, replied, "Considering your watch, I'll give you a piece of advice: Don't forget where you are. Don't court death."
Even the most ferocious criminals would not dare to cause a scene at the gates of the Ma family in Jianghai!
This was not only because the ancestors of the Jianghai Ma family were involved in the grain transport business, but also because of the terrifying hidden strength the Ma family possessed over the years!
For example, on one occasion: a powerful figure from another province clashed with the Ma family, vowing to flatten the Ma family.
In fact, that powerful figure from another province indeed possessed such strength, as he kept a group of professional fighters.
These fighters were all handpicked from underground fighting rings, ferocious in combat and fearless of death.
However, this group of professional fighters, upon arriving at the Ma family on a dark and windy night, vanished as silently as stones thrown into the sea.
Not even a ripple was stirred.
Only the "Killing Stone" monument that originally stood by the Ma family's gate changed color overnight.
The next day, the powerful figure from the other province, like a startled bird, fled overseas with his entire family, and still dared not return to the country.
The depth of the Ma family's power and terror was evident!
Min Ziqiong actually intended to confront such a family. Wasn't that like a moth flying into a flame?
"I'll give you three seconds to consider."
"Apologize and get lost, and I can pretend I didn't hear your nonsense."
The butler looked at Min Ziqiong mockingly and began to count.
"Three."
"Two."
Min Ziqiong was completely at the butler's mercy. The fierce aura that had just erupted from her gradually subsided.
Just as Min Ziqiong was about to back down, a voice leisurely echoed.
"The Ma family has indeed become quite impressive in recent years, even a watchdog is so overbearing."
"Who?" The butler's eyes instantly narrowed, like a venomous snake sensing an enemy, flashing with sinister light.
A figure slowly emerged into the butler's vision.
Upon seeing this figure, the butler couldn't help but laugh: "I thought it was some important figure. Turns out it's just a brat who hasn't even lost his baby teeth! What, do you want to add some color to our Ma family's Killing Stone as well?"