They had initially believed these two families were only connected in secret.
However, they were entirely wrong now, spectacularly so.
Fang Wanhai had also not anticipated Sun Wanli stepping forward at this moment, which changed the meaning of everything.
The subtle animosity between the five great families had vanished in an instant.
This caught Fang Wanhai completely off guard, and his gaze shifted towards the Lu and Zhuge families.
He wanted to know if these two families had also joined in, but the rumors were that the Lu family had also joined the Qin family.
Fang Wanhai let out a sigh of relief when he saw the head of the Lu family did not step forward to speak.
If the Lu family had also spoken up, then the landscape of Shangjing would have undergone a drastic change.
However, Fang Wanhai knew that the landscape of Shangjing had already changed.
With the Qin family now cooperating with the Sun family, their strength would expand exponentially. If the remaining three families did not unite, the consequences were unimaginable.
The heads of the other two families also understood this, exchanging glances before finally nodding.
As the heads of these two families, they realized that if they didn't cooperate now, they would face utter ruin.
The Qin family's strength had already surpassed that of the Fang family, and now with the Sun family's support,
it could be said that their strength far exceeded that of the three and two families combined.
Elder Qin, observing the shifting expressions on the faces of the family heads, did not say much, only a slight upward curve of his lips.
He cast a dismissive glance at Zhou Xuan.
"A mere clown, thinking this can destroy our Qin family? How naive!"
Elder Qin was still bothered by Zhou Xuan humiliating his granddaughter in front of so many people.
He hadn't intended for the Sun family to step forward so quickly, as it would force the other two families to make a choice, but now he had no choice but to do so.
If news of what happened today spread, his granddaughter would lose all face.
This was not something he wanted to see. To cover this up, he had to employ a drastic measure.
More explosive news would directly drown out this unfavorable event.
In the face of life and death, they would not pay much attention to a noble daughter falling ill.
This was Elder Qin's protection for his granddaughter.
He knew that if he hadn't intervened, his granddaughter might have committed suicide.
This was an act that would shame their ancestors, and his granddaughter couldn't face the mocking gazes.
Only through overwhelming power could this matter be suppressed.
Elder Qin, unleashing his full might, surveyed the surroundings.
Although the people below continued to present gifts, the scale of their offerings had significantly diminished compared to before.
The guests below witnessed what was happening on this stage.
Their hearts were also unsettled.
"The Sun family has already stepped forward to support the Qin family, this, this..."
"It seems we must make plans early!"
"Indeed! The Qin family's strength already surpassed the Fang family, and now with the Sun family joining, then..."
The guests seated below were starting to feel restless.
One by one, they sat on their seats as if on pins and needles, regretting their decision to attend Fang family's banquet.
Fang Wanhai also noticed the distressed expressions on the faces of the guests below, especially those who had been in a long queue to attend the banquet, now turning to leave.
This made everyone present even more uneasy.
Fang Wanhai remained silent, but his expression was extremely grim, his hands clenched tightly beneath the table.
As he saw Elder Qin looking over, those whispering nearby lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
Elder Qin, as if he were the host surveying his domain and observing the displeased faces below, finally spoke.
"Please, everyone, relax! This is a birthday banquet that Wanhai worked hard to arrange. What will Wanhai think if you act like this?"
Elder Qin reprimanded, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.
"Ah! Ah! Elder Qin is right, right. We were momentarily nervous and have been remiss, we have been remiss! Please forgive us, Master Fang!"
"Haha! Haha! Elder Qin's correction is right, we apologize, we apologize!"
In an instant, a large portion of the guests who had come for Fang Wanhai's banquet had directly defected. They all displayed utmost respect and obedience towards Elder Qin.
This had directly shifted the focus of the banquet.
Those unaware would think it was Elder Qin's birthday banquet, listening to his every word.
Fang Wanhai watched as Elder Qin flaunted his authority at his own birthday banquet, his fingers trembling with anger.
But there was nothing he could do. Their strength was already at a disadvantage, and the alliance of these two families today would be a tremendous blow to them.
If they were to openly defy him now, he...
Fang Wanhai, Master Fang, could not dwell on it further and could only maintain a stiff facade, watching Elder Qin's overbearing behavior.
"Master Fang, my apologies, we were impolite!"
"Impolite!"
The established powers deeply rooted with the Fang family also had grim expressions, but not a single person stepped forward to support Master Fang.
It was entirely for the sake of their families' future that they could not completely offend Elder Qin.
It was clear that the Qin family was establishing their dominance.
If they stepped forward at this moment, and the Fang family were to fall, their families might be held accountable for standing out today.
Therefore, for the future of their families, they could only lower their heads, pretending not to notice Master Fang's gaze.
"Haha! Wanhai, apologies for stealing your thunder. Alas! As I get older, I still can't control this old habit!"
Elder Qin was very pleased seeing everyone listen to him so attentively, and Sun Wanli beside him smiled as he looked at Fang Wanhai.
Fang Wanhai watched the two of them, their words and actions in unison, his expression shifting. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.
Fang Ruolin and her brother watched their grandfather being bullied by the Qin and Sun families, their eyes turning red. They had never imagined that their grandfather's birthday banquet would turn out this way.
This was the Qin family completely trampling over them.
Fang Ruolin bit her lip, her eyes fixed on the Qin family with anger, but she made no move.
She also knew that stepping forward to argue would be meaningless.
The Qin family's strength already surpassed theirs, and stepping forward at this moment would be the most unwise decision.
Lu Ling'er looked at the white-haired Elder Fang, who was being humiliated at his own birthday banquet, and her eyes also turned red.
Zhou Xuan looked at the Fang siblings, and then felt his wife's sad gaze.
He suddenly stepped forward.
"Actually, gifts, I had prepared them long ago!"
Zhou Xuan's voice was not loud, but very few people in the room were talking, and it carried clearly to the surroundings.
The guests around immediately raised their heads, wanting to see which unfortunate soul dared to step forward at this moment.
Instantly, Zhou Xuan was stared at by tens of thousands of eyes.
Facing these tens of thousands of eyes, Zhou Xuan's expression remained unchanged, his demeanor calm.
"This, this is that divine doctor from earlier!"
"This, this guy is that bold?"
"He offended Miss Qin Er earlier, causing her great embarrassment, and now he still dares to step forward!"
The other guests were dumbfounded.