Leng Qingmei had already heard from Dong Ju about Chen Nan burning books to make a statement.
She felt puzzled by this.
Although she had only met Chen Nan on their wedding day, she had heard that he was obsessed with "books," especially those with illustrations.
She found this detestable in her heart.
Learning that he had burned books to make a statement made her curious.
What's more, his indifferent attitude towards her now.
She felt.
Chen Nan had changed.
But she didn't know why he had changed.
Of course.
None of that mattered.
What was important was attending the inauguration ceremony of the City Lord.
Following Leng Qingmei, Chen Nan walked out of the Leng family compound through the main gate for the first time.
His first visit to the Leng family was on his wedding day.
And his first departure through the main gate was today.
It was somewhat ironic.
A luxurious carriage was parked at the entrance. After the two got in, the carriage moved slowly towards the City Lord's mansion.
Leng Qingmei's father, Leng Yuanji, was the current patriarch of the Leng family.
However, he was often away managing the family's businesses.
Usually, Leng Qingmei was responsible for all household affairs.
Today, naturally, she was the one representing the Leng family at the City Lord's inauguration ceremony.
Upon arriving at the City Lord's mansion.
A servant from the Leng family presented their visiting card.
Then, led by a servant of the City Lord's mansion, they entered the compound.
At this moment, the members of the other five prominent families had also arrived with their kin.
Seeing Chen Nan with one hand behind his back, walking alongside Leng Qingmei.
Many eyes revealed scorn and envy.
The status of a live-in son-in-law was looked down upon in the Underworld.
However.
They also envied Chen Nan for becoming a Leng family live-in son-in-law and marrying Leng Qingmei, the most beautiful woman in the city.
It was a contradictory sentiment.
Even though they all despised live-in sons-in-law.
They still envied them.
"Greetings, Father!" Leng Qingmei, with Chen Nan, walked directly to Chen Bohan and bowed slightly.
Chen Bohan grunted, then looked at Chen Nan, the result of a past romantic entanglement he had while away years ago.
The more he looked, the more displeased he became.
How could this fellow become more handsome?
Chen Bohan spoke, his voice tinged with an invisible anger: "After so long without returning home, do you still have me and your mother in your eyes?"
"This child knows his fault." Chen Nan lowered his head, feeling his face burn, filled with shame.
The host was a sycophant.
Ever since marrying into the Leng family, he had tried everything to gain Leng Qingqiu's attention.
As a result, except for the return visit after marriage, he hadn't been back.
Although the host had no emotional connection with his biological father, Chen Bohan.
He had a deep bond with his mother, with whom he depended on each other.
It was hard to justify not visiting his mother for such a long time.
Seeing Chen Nan being reprimanded, Leng Qingmei said apologetically, "Father, please do not blame my husband. He has been busy learning the family business during this time, which is why he couldn't find time to return to the Chen family."
"Please rest assured, once this period is over, I will return to the Chen family with my husband to visit you both."
Leng Qingmei was known as the most talented woman in Tongcheng.
Proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Her persona was simple: a talented woman, a good wife, and a good daughter-in-law.
In public, she had to do her best to protect Chen Nan's dignity.
However.
Her attitude immediately earned Chen Nan countless envious and resentful glances.
Had this fellow saved the three realms in his past life?
Why did Leng Qingmei treat him like this?
With such a virtuous wife, what more could one ask for?
At this moment.
Chen Nan saw a familiar face.
Tall and with shifty eyes.
Despite wearing a brocade robe, he exuded an aura of insidious cunning.
That person was Liang Jian of the Liang family.
He had gone out of the city yesterday because he learned from his servant that Leng Qingmei wanted to eat red plums.
At this moment, Liang Jian was looking at him with hostility.
He did not back down.
His gaze was indifferent.
Staring directly at Liang Jian.
With just a glance.
Liang Jian felt a chill run down his spine.
As if being stared at by a powerful beast.
He had not expected this wretch, who was previously so submissive in front of him, to have such a fierce gaze.
Could it be that he had guessed that the tiger released yesterday was his doing?
It was all the fault of that incompetent wretch!
He should have starved it for a few days!
At this time.
Steward Tian Bo from the City Lord's mansion walked over.
Seeing this person.
Everyone quickly paid their respects.
Everyone knew.
Whether they could maintain their family's influence in the future depended on their frequent interactions with this person.
He would determine the survival of the six great families.
This was also the main reason they came to attend the ceremony and get acquainted.
Tian Bo spoke: "Thank you all for attending the inauguration ceremony of City Lord Yuan Zun. The City Lord is preparing for the inauguration ceremony and is currently unable to meet with you all. Please proceed to the training ground."
Saying that, he gestured towards the training ground.
The training ground was located outside the City Lord's mansion.
Its size was comparable to five football fields.
At this moment, countless citizens of Tongcheng had gathered around the training ground.
Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the new City Lord's demeanor.
After all, ever since the previous City Lord's sudden death, the position of City Lord of Tongcheng had been vacant for two years.
These two years had been agonizing for the common people of Tongcheng.
They were eager to know what policies the new City Lord would implement upon taking office.
As it concerned the livelihoods of the people, who wouldn't care?
Because they were the six major powerful families.
Their seats were closer to the front.
The erected platform was right before everyone's eyes.
After waiting for about twenty minutes.
The auspicious time arrived.
City Lord 'Yuan Zun,' dressed in a black python robe, appeared before the crowd, escorted by the City Lord's mansion's yamen runners.
He was eight feet tall.
Over sixty years old.
He exuded an aura of inherent authority.
After his appearance.
Everyone stood up and bowed in respect.
Yuan Zun then appeared on the high platform.
Burning incense.
Respecting Heaven.
Respecting Earth.
Respecting the gods.
Respecting all living beings.
The entire process made Chen Nan drowsy.
It was just taking office, wasn't it?
Did it need to be so troublesome?
Afterward, Yuan Zun looked at the crowd below and spoke some very official words.
First, he praised the achievements of the previous City Lord during his tenure.
Then he spoke about the work he would undertake after taking office.
Developing the economy and leading the common people to a better life.
Of course.
The common people were not interested in these things either.
It wasn't until Yuan Zun announced the exemption of taxes and land rent for merchants and farmers for the next ten years that the common people truly cheered.
The scene erupted with thunderous applause and shouts.
And just as Yuan Zun was descending the platform.
An unexpected event occurred.
The stone steps beneath his feet instantly transformed into a middle-aged man with a ferocious face.
He wielded a sharp blade and, with lightning speed, used the long saber in his hand to directly behead Yuan Zun!
Blood splattered five steps, a gruesome sight.
Causing the crowd to scream!
At the same time.
The yamen runners of the City Lord's mansion drew their blades and attacked the middle-aged man.
The scene became chaotic.
Chen Nan watched this scene calmly, his heart unable to settle.
The stone steps had transformed into a person.
Was this the strength of a 'Huaxing' realm expert in the Underworld?
If he could reach the 'Huaxing' realm.
Wouldn't he be able to enter Leng Qingmei's boudoir and transform into an object to watch her bathe?