Meng Youyu forced a wry smile and advised, "To the three family heads, today is the inauguration ceremony of Patriarch Zi. Let's be cordial, cordial."
Luo Chuan quickly concealed the displeasure in his eyes and said with a smile, "Patriarch Meng is right! The three of you please take a step back. I'm sure Patriarch Zi won't hold it against you!"
Gao Ao, Hua Wuhen, and Yang Dezhi remained silent, but the aura between them continuously escalated.
Just then, a report came from outside.
"Xiong Tai, the Left Protector of Black Water Hall, and Fan Tong, the Right Protector, congratulate Second Master Zi on his ascension to the position of Patriarch of the Zi family!"
"Li Luo, the Bright Envoy of the Sacred Cult, and Tang Yan, congratulate Second Master Zi on his ascension to the position of Patriarch of the Zi family!"
"Xie Lianhua, the Palace Master of Hundred Flowers Palace, and Fu Liuyun, the Sect Master of Flowing Cloud Sect, congratulate Second Master Zi on his ascension to the position of Patriarch of the Zi family!"
The aura between Gao Ao, Hua Wuhen, and Yang Dezhi instantly calmed down.
They each let out a cold snort and returned to their seats.
Soon, six more people entered the reception hall.
Zi Wenchang descended from the main seat and said with a smile, "Protector Xiong, Protector Fan, Bright Envoy Li, Bright Envoy Tang, Palace Master Xie, Sect Master Fu, your esteemed presence graces the Zi manor!"
The six paid their respects to him and then to the other seven family heads before taking their seats.
"Second Master Zi, will Miss Lingling be attending the ceremony today?"
As soon as Li Luo sat down, he eagerly inquired about Zi Lingling's whereabouts.
Although Xiong Tai said nothing, his urgent gaze also fell on Zi Wenchang.
Fu Liuyun was equally anxious.
Zi Wenchang exclaimed in surprise, "It's a family head's inauguration ceremony, and everyone in the Zi family must attend. So, my unaccomplished niece should also attend, right?"
His voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
For years, he had ignored Zi Lingling, leaving her to the mercy of Madam Wang.
More than half a month ago, he had vaguely heard Madam Wang mention that she had temporarily bestowed the Purple Heart Pavilion upon Zi Lingling to reside in, for the sake of the family heirloom.
However, ever since Zi Lingling moved into the Purple Heart Pavilion, some formations had inexplicably appeared there.
It was said that these formations were extremely powerful, and no one in the Zi manor could enter.
Therefore, in the past half month, almost no one had seen Zi Lingling.
"Should? What does Patriarch Zi mean by that? You don't even know if your own niece will attend?"
A hint of displeasure flashed in Li Luo's eyes.
In his opinion, Zi Wenchang was being perfunctory.
Zi Wenchang said with a fawning smile, "This matter of the inner court ladies is usually managed by my wife, so I'm not entirely sure. How about this, I'll send someone to confirm right away."
As he spoke, he summoned his personal attendant and instructed him to quickly go to Madam Wang to confirm.
After the attendant left, Zi Wenchang feigned sorrow and said, "Speaking of which, my niece is truly pitiful."
"She was poisoned from birth, her spiritual roots damaged, making her unable to cultivate. For twelve years, I searched for renowned doctors to cure her, but found no solution. Alas, the poor child."
As he spoke, his eyes welled up with tears, presenting himself as a doting father.
Were these people, who held significant positions in their respective major forces, not shrewd and capable? How could they not understand that this was all just pretense and hypocrisy?
As for Zi Lingling's plight, which force was not aware of it? Yet, no one exposed him.
A mere good-for-nothing, who would be willing to offend Zi Wenchang for her?
Therefore, among the remaining seven family heads, Hua Wuhen, Gao Ao, and Luo Chuan showed no particular expression.
Bai Tao had a hint of anger in his eyes, but it was merely pity for Zi Lingling, out of respect for Zi Guochang.
Meng Youyu shook his head and sighed silently.
Sun Pin's eyes sparkled, as if he were contemplating something.
Only Yang Dezhi sneered, "Second Master Zi is truly loyal and righteous!"
Li Luo was slightly taken aback, his expression peculiar, "Miss Ling'er cannot cultivate?"
Xiong Tai and Fu Liuyun also wore strange expressions.
If one looked closely, one would notice a hint of contempt in their eyes.
Of course, the object of their contempt was Zi Wenchang, the fool.
Zi Wenchang wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded, "Bright Envoy Li jokes. Everyone in Tianqi Kingdom knows that Ling'er cannot cultivate. Bright Envoy Li couldn't possibly have not heard of it."
Li Luo, Xiong Tai, and Fu Liuyun exchanged glances subtly.
It seemed Zi Lingling had deliberately concealed the fact that she could already cultivate.
Since that was the case, there was no need for them to say anything more.
However, their gazes towards Zi Wenchang held even more pity.
What expression would Zi Wenchang have if he knew that Zi Lingling not only could cultivate, but was also a monstrous prodigy of unprecedented talent?
Zi Wenchang, bewildered by their pitying gazes, asked, "May I ask why Bright Envoy Li suddenly inquired about Ling'er?"
Li Luo replied, "It's nothing much, just asking after a friend!"
A friend?
Li Luo called that useless Zi Lingling a friend?
Apart from Xiong Tai, Fu Liuyun, Sun Pin, and Yang Dezhi, everyone else present had a hint of amusement in their eyes.
Even Bai Tao shook his head.
Xiong Tai frowned and said, "To be frank, I also wish to inquire after Miss Lingling, my friend!"
He wasn't stupid; this was an opportunity to show his allegiance, and he naturally intended to seize it.
Fu Liuyun said with a wry smile, "Second Master Zi, how has Miss Lingling been doing recently?"
He had already chosen to pledge the entire Flowing Cloud Sect to Zi Lingling, so he had to make his stance clear.
The amusement in the eyes of the others intensified.
What wind had blown today for everyone to be inquiring after that useless girl?
Tang Yan secretly tugged at Li Luo's sleeve and whispered, "Envoy Li, the Cult Master sent us here not to make a fool of ourselves."
Tang Yan's sentiment was shared by Fan Tong, who sat beside Xiong Tai.
However, Fan Tong, being a man, could not perform an action like Tang Yan's.
He merely covered his eyes in exasperation, looking as if he was too embarrassed to continue.
As for Fu Liuyun, he was the sect master, and no one would question his actions.
Just then, the attendant who had gone to deliver the message returned and reported, "Master, Madam says she has not seen the Third Miss, and she doesn't know what the Third Miss intends. "
As he spoke, the atmosphere in the reception hall became awkward.
Could anyone present here, who were more astute than demons, not understand the meaning behind the attendant's words?
Madam Wang had the attendant convey this message to tell everyone that Zi Lingling was being arrogant and didn't know her place.
The tactics of women in the inner court were all quite similar.
As everyone was pondering the meaning of the words, the butler's voice echoed from outside, "Patriarch, the auspicious time has arrived. The inauguration ceremony is about to begin. Please escort the Patriarch and the esteemed guests to the martial arts arena."