“Would you like me to apologize to you personally?”
As the voice fell, everyone’s gaze turned towards the source of the sound, and many revealed surprised expressions.
It was Li Shengjun who strode in.
Seeing Li Shengjun, many members of the Li family looked uneasy. In fact, many core members of the Li family were quite afraid of Li Shengjun.
Moreover, the Li family’s current status was not solely due to Li Zhongfu, but also Li Shengjun. As for Li Shengguo, he only entered politics later.
But the main core of the Li family still rested with Li Zhongfu and Li Shengjun!
Upon seeing Li Shengjun’s arrival, Mu Wanying’s expression became somewhat displeased. However, she was not about to let Li Se’s earlier rudeness slide. She said in a deep voice, “Third Brother, this brat not only hit my nephew, but he’s also publicly humiliated our entire Mu family. Shouldn’t he apologize?”
“Sister-in-law, he’s not some brat, he’s my son, Li Se!”
Li Shengjun’s voice held a hint of coldness as he corrected her. “Furthermore, if you require an apology, I, Li Shengjun, will apologize on his behalf, to the entire Mu family!”
At these words, Mu Wanying’s expression shifted slightly. The Mu family certainly could not afford Li Shengjun’s apology; he was the God of War!
The faces of the Mu family members were grim. With Li Shengjun backing Li Se, they indeed found it difficult to say much more. This matter could only be dropped.
“Heh, Third Brother, what you’re saying is that we’re all family, so what’s there to apologize about? You finally have time to attend this year’s family banquet. You never had time before.”
Li Shengguo, a shrewd individual, immediately walked up to Li Shengjun with a smile. In just a few sentences, he smoothed over the previous situation. His intervention effectively signaled that everyone should forget about what had just happened, as if it never occurred.
Mu Wanying was about to say something when Li Tian stopped her, whispering, “Mom, let’s let this matter go, after all, Third Uncle has intervened.”
Mu Wanying’s eyes glinted with malice, but she didn’t say anything further, only casting a gaze filled with coldness at Li Se.
Li Se, however, paid no mind to Mu Wanying. After cupping his hands towards Li Shengjun, he retreated. He had no desire for any disputes with the Li family, nor with the Mu family. However, this trip had given him a new suspect.
Previously, Li Se had focused all his suspicions on Li Shengguo, Li Shengmin, and some of the direct descendants. But today, he had another person to suspect.
Mu Wanying!
The Mu family was also a top family in the capital. For them to employ assassins to kill him wouldn’t be too difficult.
And Mu Wanying was Li Tian’s son, naturally wanting to prevent Li Se from entering the Li family. It wasn’t long after he entered the Li family that this person came looking for trouble. It seemed the Mu family truly didn’t want to see him join the Li family.
Li Se mused, his gaze occasionally falling on Mu Wanying. Could it be this woman?
Currently, his main suspects were Li Shengmin and Mu Wanying.
If it was Mu Wanying, did Li Shengguo know about it?
Li Se’s thoughts were racing, primarily because he hadn’t expected such a ruthless character within the Li family.
“Imperial Physician Li has arrived!”
Just then, a surprised exclamation rang out.
Li Zhongfu walked out slowly, dressed in a Tang suit, appearing very benevolent.
“Dad!”
“Grandpa…”
All the Li family members called out respectfully.
Li Zhongfu nodded, then swept his gaze across the entire Li family, finally settling on Li Se, and walked towards him with a smile.
The expressions of many in the Li family changed, as they hadn’t expected Li Zhongfu to go directly to Li Se upon his arrival. What did this signify? It indicated that he thought highly of this grandson!
Mu Wanying’s expression was the most unpleasant. If it weren’t for Li Se, her son would have steadily become the future patriarch of the Li family. But with Li Se’s appearance, their family’s standing was poised to be challenged.
As for the other guests, they looked on with varied and complex emotions. Li Zhongfu’s attitude had already demonstrated that he valued this grandson greatly.
“I’m very happy. I thought you wouldn’t come to this family banquet,” Li Zhongfu said with a chuckle.
“Elder Li, I merely came in to investigate some matters,” Li Se replied directly.
Li Zhongfu paused for a moment, then nodded. He naturally understood what Li Se meant by investigation. He glanced at Li Shengmin nearby and didn’t say much more to Li Se.
This was the Li family’s banquet, and he couldn’t focus all his attention on Li Se.
Meanwhile, Li Shengmin, standing not far away, wore a playful smile as he watched the grandfather and grandson, a shrewd glint in his eyes.
The Li family banquet was a simple meal with nothing else. After all, many members of the Li family were very busy on weekdays. It was quite a rare occasion for them to gather together for a meal.
After the banquet concluded, Li Se did not linger and left the Li family directly.
“Wait!”
Li Shengjun’s voice called out from behind.
“Something wrong?” Li Se asked, surprised. However, he truly couldn’t bring himself to call Li Shengjun “Father,” and every time he was with Li Shengjun, he felt a sense of familiarity, but more so awkwardness.
After all, he didn’t have deep feelings for his biological father, to be honest.
“I inquired about what happened just now. The Mu family initiated the provocation,” Li Shengjun genuinely didn’t know what to say to Li Se, but he tried to find topics to chat about.
“Thank you for stepping in earlier,” Li Se cupped his hands.
“I don’t know what to say to you…” Li Shengjun scratched his head. “I feel like I have a lot to say to you, but once I actually see you, I can’t seem to say anything. Oh, right, your grandfather should have found a fiancée for you, but I turned it down, considering you have quite a few women already.”
Li Se raised an eyebrow. He had heard from the person who delivered the invitation that the Li family intended to arrange a fiancée for him, but he hadn’t seen this fiancée at the banquet. It seemed Li Shengjun had turned her down.
“Thank you, but I have no intention of returning to the Li family,” Li Se felt that his current life was quite good. The Li family was indeed deeply complicated. To enter the Li family, he would first have to contend with the Mu family, and then with Li Shengmin and Li Shengguo. He didn’t have much desire to deal with these people.
Of course, if these people provoked him, he wouldn’t show any mercy. Take the Mu family today, for example; he had decisively struck back.
Li Shengjun nodded and didn’t press the topic further. Instead, he asked, “You entered the Li family today to investigate matters. Did you find anything?”