met free Chapter 2080: You're already 36, and you still don't understand the rules?
Chapter 2080: You're already 36, and you still don't understand the rules?
The third dull thud of the cane hitting the ground was like a heavy hammer striking everyone's heart!
Outside the moon gate, the imposing figure was fully revealed.
Du Xingyue stood at the doorway, backlit, his silhouette resembling a mountain.
He was wearing a faded gray polyester Zhongshan suit, the collar buttoned up meticulously, his full head of silver hair combed back neatly, revealing a broad forehead and a pair of deep-set eyes!
What is most eye-catching is the walking stick in his hand—a stick made of sandalwood with a silver-plated head that has been polished to a shine.
At this moment, the cane was firmly planted on the bluestone slab, and tiny sparks were faintly splashing from the iron palm embedded in the bottom of the cane where it touched the brick surface!
Behind him stood eight middle-aged men in a row, each with a solemn expression, eyes fixed straight ahead, and a pine-like posture. Although there were only eight of them, they exuded the aura of a thousand troops.
The air in the courtyard seemed to freeze!
Du Xingyue!
Du Bancheng, a true legend in Yanjing, the patriarch of the Du family who had disappeared for more than a decade, actually appeared at this critical juncture!
coming!
The leader of the Juemen, the most powerful of the eight gates, can command the attention of half the city with a single wave of his arm!
Such a person actually appeared at Li Xiangnan's wedding banquet!
Ye Ruyan stood frozen in front of the steps of the side room, one foot already raised but unable to fall back down, and could only take a step back.
Yan Qinghe still had the rat whisker he had broken off between his fingers, and he forgot to throw it away.
Zong Wangshan's mouth was open, the unfinished "hoho" sound still stuck in his throat, turning into a strange sob.
Even the usually calm Li Xiangnan bowed slightly and respectfully greeted the doorway: "Elder Du!"
Du Xingyue nodded to him from a distance.
His gaze immediately swept across the courtyard, slicing through everyone's face like a razor.
That gaze was so sharp that it was impossible to look directly at it.
Then, he took a step.
The first step is through the moon gate.
His steps were slow, but each step was extremely steady.
The sandalwood cane struck the ground first, making a loud thud, like a heavy drumstick striking everyone's hearts.
Then the feet landed.
The rhythm was neither too fast nor too slow, and the intervals between each step were precise.
This is the gait of people who had practiced martial arts and fought on the battlefield in the old days.
He walked very slowly, but no one dared to urge him on.
Everyone watched as he stepped across the cobblestone path, walked to the side room, and stopped beside Ye Ruyan.
Ye Ruyan's expression suddenly changed, and she subconsciously took a step back, looking at his profile with extreme fear.
Du Xingyue didn't even look at her; his gaze was fixed on the tightly closed door of the side room.
He spoke, his voice hoarse but clear: "Sister Mu, Xiao Du has come to see you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the side room fell silent; there was no response.
But everyone could sense that the aged figure behind the curtains seemed to have moved slightly.
Du Xingyue waited for three seconds before slowly turning around.
Song Cijiu quickly stepped forward and respectfully offered a cigarette: "Old Du!"
Du Xingyue nodded, stretched his head towards him, borrowed his light to light his cigarette, patted his hand, and took a light puff.
Everyone held their breath, and countless eyes were fixed on him.
Song Cijiu smiled and casually lit one for himself and one for Li Xiangnan, then glanced at his nephew Song Ziming.
Squeak!
The moon gate in the backyard was immediately and quietly closed by Song Ziming!
"Ai--"
A commotion and sounds of surprise suddenly arose outside, but they were quickly dispersed by the Song family.
Surprisingly, there was no noise or discontent.
This moon gate directly separated the lively and festive atmosphere of the central courtyard from the desolate and solemn atmosphere of the backyard, making them seem like two different worlds.
Outside the door, all was peaceful, but inside, each of the ten families of Yanjing felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy, their bodies chilled to the bone!
Especially that scoundrel Qian Houjin.
At this moment, his legs were already trembling, and he was completely silent.
The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Today, Li Xiangnan was still controlled by the Ten Families of Yanjing, and the Li family still couldn't break free from their grasp!
Alas, although Li Xiangnan is clever, he is still a bit less ruthless than Ye Ruyan, a woman who grew up in a family of power and intrigue. And look, he still fell into the trap!
Even someone as fickle as him, while secretly feeling sorry for Li Xiangnan, couldn't help but feel a little hopeful.
After all, I am still a member of the ten families. If I really get my hands on the account books, it will be beneficial to me!
Moreover, it seems that Mu Huanying is in this house; it's truly a case of searching high and low without finding her!
Qian Houjin was already filled with anticipation.
Ye Ruyan walked step by step toward the side room, about to open the door and invite Mu Huanying out!
Then the mystery that has plagued the ten families of Yanjing for decades is about to be revealed!
Qian Houjin felt his heart leap into his throat and couldn't help but swallow hard.
Just as Ye Ruyan was about to step onto the stairs, Du Xingyue arrived unexpectedly!
The sky is falling!
No matter how powerful the Ten Families of Yanjing are, they can't withstand the devastation and constraints of Du Bancheng!
He's Du Bancheng!
It's over! It's over!
Qian Houjin froze. He suddenly looked at Li Xiangnan and found that the kid had been calm and... confident all along!
Oh no, it turns out this kid has always had something to hide!
Du Bancheng was also arranged by him!
No wonder Ye Ruyan was shouting to go into the backyard. Zong Wangshan was being unreasonable and forcing her, but he wasn't afraid at all. It turns out he had a backup plan all along!
This kid is absolutely terrifying...
"Wow, good tobacco! Your old man knows how to enjoy life; this tobacco must be specially supplied!"
At this moment, Du Bancheng's words pierced through Qian Houjin's thoughts, making him tremble. Then his eyes fell on the figure that was as imposing as a mountain, and he thought: Now it should be stable, right?
"Master Du, if you like it, I'll prepare a box for you and send it to your residence later!" Song Cijiu immediately smiled brightly.
"That's great! Thank you for your trouble. I won't stand on ceremony with your father!" Du Bancheng laughed heartily.
Song Cijiu smiled knowingly, but when he turned to give Li Xiangnan a wink, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
You little rascal, Li, you're as wise as ever, almost demonic.
Damn it, I was just feeling anxious, wondering what to do if Ye Ruyan and her group got into the backyard. I had even prepared my excuses and was ready to use the Song family's methods to deal with them!
Well, so you've been so calm all this time because you have Old Du as your backer!
You're really something, kid!
Standing under the moon gate, Song Yi observed her second uncle's expression as he looked at Li Xiangnan. She immediately suppressed a smile, her peach blossom eyes filled with admiration and pride.
Sure enough, Xiang Nan was the most resourceful. He brought out Elder Du at this crucial moment, and those ten families of Yanjing were doomed!
After this brief exchange of pleasantries, Du Xingyue's gaze finally fell upon the representatives of the ten families.
Let's start with Ye Ruyan.
“Little Ye,” he began, his tone casual as if chatting, “when your father, Ye Guangcai, was alive, he would call me Uncle Du! You must be thirty-five or thirty-six this year, right?”
Ye Ruyan's heart skipped a beat, and she respectfully replied, "I am thirty-six years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning)!"
"Thirty-six." Du Xingyue nodded. "At thirty-six, don't you know the rules?"
He paused, then gently tapped his cane on the ground:
"Weddings and funerals are the most important events. Even if the sky falls, we have to wait until the banquet is over before we talk about anything else! Didn't your father teach you that?"
As soon as he said that, the temperature in the courtyard suddenly dropped another ten degrees.
These words, though asked lightly, struck Ye Ruyan like a slap in the face.
She was already very upset by being pressured by her father's seniority!
Continue to teach her a lesson with rules and etiquette, and tell her outright that she has no manners. This is a direct insult, and it's done using the language of an elder!
Ye Ruyan, who was always calm, direct, and ruthless, was speechless for the first time. Her face turned pale, and she stood frozen on the spot, unable to utter a single word...