...

Huangfu Jinhuan saw this scene from afar, and his expression darkened a bit.

He snorted disdainfully, crossed his arms behind his back, and sat down in his seat, half-closing his eyes as if contemplating something.

Suddenly.

Lei Yangyu’s cheerful laughter came from beside him: "Brother Jinhuan, you look quite well~"

"Hmph!" Huangfu Jinhuan opened his eyes, his face sullen, "Lei Yangyu, what do you mean to say?"

"Sorry, I’m just curious," Lei Yangyu chuckled, "Your family’s branch committed such a big incident, did you come here today to bid on the properties of the Qianma Huangfu Family?"

Huangfu Jinhuan’s eyelids twitched twice, and he replied with a cold laugh: "Lei Yangyu, what business is it of yours regarding the affairs of the Huangfu Family? Is it possible that I can just watch as the branch family’s properties fall into others’ hands?"

"Hahaha~" Lei Yangyu laughed loudly, "I’ve just heard a ridiculous joke; the Celestial Person Huangfu Family has already screwed over the Qianma Huangfu Family, used them as scapegoats, and even silenced them to save themselves, only to end up swallowing their properties. What a strategy, truly a clever strategy!"

Lei Yangyu’s voice was loud enough that even the onlookers heard it. Everyone’s faces couldn’t help but show expressions typical of gossiping, quietly starting to discuss among themselves.

Throughout history, common folks have always been delighted to enjoy such gossip, indulging in it with great pleasure.

Yet, those patriarchs of the Eighth and Ninth-Grade Noble Families had somewhat complicated expressions.

As members of noble families, their channels for information were far superior to those of loose cultivators and commoners.

Everyone knew that the Celestial Person Huangfu Family and the Qianma Huangfu Family were so close they were practically wearing the same pants, with the latter always looking to the former as a leader.

The collusion between the Qianma Huangfu Family and the Yin Sha Sect for treason — how could the Celestial Person Huangfu Family be entirely unaware?

Moreover, the events at the banquet that night had already spread, and after the incident was exposed, the dignified Ancestor Hua Ye even killed the most important witness, Huangfu Deyun.

Even a fool could see this was murder to silence.

It’s just that the Celestial Person Huangfu Family acted cautiously, leaving no concrete evidence. However, in the eyes of all noble families, the Celestial Person Huangfu Family could not be completely unrelated to the incident with the Yin Sha Sect.

It’s likely that the one colluding with the Yin Sha Sect was the Celestial Person Huangfu Family, and the Qianma Huangfu Family was merely pushed forward as the scapegoat.

People simply didn’t speak publicly about it, but discussions had long occurred in private.

Regarding the actions of the Huangfu Family, they all felt a chill in their hearts and quite a bit of disdain. At least, they genuinely wished to keep their distance from the Huangfu Family, avoiding any entanglement.

Because you never know when the Celestial Person Huangfu Family might betray you for some reason. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Now that Lei Yangyu had unveiled this cover, it naturally stirred up a wave in the hearts of the people, feeling unjust for the Qianma Huangfu Family on one hand and a sense of shared fate on the other.

However, although they were clear in their hearts, the Eighth and Ninth-Grade Noble Families, constrained by face and taboos, remained silent at their respective seats, drinking tea or eating pastries as if they hadn’t heard Lei Yangyu’s words.

But the commoners and loose cultivators had no such concerns.

A group of insider sources suddenly appeared out of nowhere, vividly recounting the events of that day.

The Celestial Person Huangfu Family secretly colluded with the Yin Sha Sect for treason, and after the conspiracy was exposed, they let the Qianma Huangfu Family take the blame, washing their hands of the matter... A series of events was told with thrilling ups and downs, well-documented, as if witnessed firsthand.

As it turned out, the Qianma Huangfu Family was just the scapegoat, and the true mastermind, the Celestial Person Huangfu Family, not only remained at large but was also planning to seize and annex the assets of the Qianma Huangfu Family!

The gossip-loving crowd felt an irresistible rage after hearing this.

Of course, there were also those purely indulging in the gossip, who, given how stimulating the news was, followed along, spreading it further.

In any case, the rumors spread like a plague at an incredible speed.

As for evidence, that’s something the Daqian Government Office needs to concern itself with. The commoners are happily enjoying their gossip, that’s all the thrill they need; who cares about evidence?

For a moment, Lei Yangyu’s words were like a stone thrown into a thousand waves, causing an uproar in half the square.

Huangfu Jinhuan sat in the main seat, his face extremely grim. With so many people’s eyes and scrutiny on him, he felt as if he was sitting in a fireplace, unable to sit still.

This move was too ruthless, as if it struck right at the heart of the Huangfu Family. Considering Lei Yangyu’s earlier whispering with Wang Shouzhe, how could Huangfu Jinhuan not realize that it was Wang Shouzhe advising behind the scenes?

Immediately, Huangfu Jinhuan’s gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on Wang Shouzhe.

And Wang Shouzhe met his gaze across the distance, bowed with a smile to Huangfu Jinhuan, baring his teeth.

It was as if telling him: Yes, it was my advice; what can you do to me?

Huangfu Jinhuan was so angry he almost coughed up blood, a trace of hatred flickering in his sinister eyes.

Fortunately, at this moment, City Guard Xiahou Hongde arrived, surrounded by his personal guards.

He moved with a majestic stride, his face stern as he surveyed the scene with his tiger-like eyes, silencing the crowd at once.

Even the noisy onlookers and loose cultivators fell silent.

"Everyone is present, let’s start the auction."

Xiahou Hongde was actually in a good mood. Despite the scandal that erupted with the Qianma Huangfu Family, as the City Guard, he not only personally oversaw the case but also eradicated a group of Yin Sha Sect traitors, which counted as an achievement.