I am Peerless Mad

Chapter 331 Arousing Suspicion

The news of Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan, father and son, being taken away sent shockwaves through Donghai and the entire Dragon Country's systemic structure.

On one hand, the Wei family had been entrenched in Donghai for years, a cornerstone of the region, and was hailed as the foremost family.

Moreover, Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan were the future successors of the Wei family.

Now, with both father and son in trouble, it was a devastating blow to the Wei family, severely damaging their vitality and destined to cause their future status to plummet.

This was because, for local magnates like the Wei family, they would select the most outstanding heir in each generation and invest all their resources into cultivating them, with other family members rallying around the heir for development.

The Wei family patriarch had already retired, and Wei Xiang held a high position, poised for further advancement. With his current predicament, the Wei family had effectively lost its future pillar!

On the other hand, according to reliable sources, Wei Qianyuan was taken away by people from the Eastern Region Army Corps of the Military Department, suspected of treason, and his case was linked to Jiang Wuming!

In Dragon Country, treason was a grave offense!

For Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan, this matter not only affected them personally but also implicated the entire Wei family—they would lose the trust from above!

What exactly had Wei Qianyuan done?

What role did Jiang Wuming play in this affair?

Did the Qin family orchestrate the downfall of Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan to support Jiang Wuming?

For a time, the entire upper-class society of Donghai and even the Dragon Triangle was shaken by this incident, with endless discussions and widespread curiosity about the truth.

Among them was Huangfu Qing.

The day after the incident, Huangfu Qing found an excuse and specifically asked his wife to call Huangfu Weixia home for dinner.

Since the incident at the Donghai Hotel, Huangfu Weixia had been staying in the dormitory of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy, not returning home or even contacting her family during this period.

When Huangfu Weixia arrived home, her mother had already prepared the meal and was waiting for her at the dining table. Her brother, Huangfu Yingjun, was not at home.

"Weixia, wash your hands and come for dinner," Huangfu Qing said with a smile as he saw Huangfu Weixia enter. His attitude was completely different from a few days ago.

Due to the incident at the Donghai Hotel, Huangfu Qing had been very displeased with Huangfu Weixia, and their father-daughter relationship had nearly fractured.

"If you have something to say, say it."

Huangfu Weixia was not foolish. Seeing that her disliked brother was not home and that her father's attitude toward her had undergone a drastic change, she knew her father calling her back through her mother was definitely not just for a meal.

"Weixia, let's chat while we eat," Huangfu Qing said with a smile.

"I've already eaten," Huangfu Weixia replied.

"Alright."

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Qing no longer insisted. He pondered for a moment and then asked, "Weixia, you've heard about the matter concerning Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan, haven't you?"

"I've heard. What about it?"

Huangfu Weixia's heart stirred. She vaguely guessed that her father calling her back and mentioning this matter was likely related to Jiang Wuming.

"Weixia, I heard that Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan were taken in because they sought revenge on Jiang Wuming. Do you know the inside story?"

Just as Huangfu Weixia had expected, Huangfu Qing brought up the matter next, mentioning Jiang Wuming.

"Heh, I was wondering why you called me back. So, you wanted to inquire about this. I'm afraid I'll disappoint you; I know nothing about this matter," Huangfu Weixia said with a mocking smile.

"No, Weixia, you've misunderstood. I was just asking casually."

Huangfu Qing denied it and then asked, "Are your relations with Jiang Wuming still good?"

"Why are you asking this?" Huangfu Weixia frowned.

"These past few days, I've been thinking and I feel that Jiang Wuming is a good young man. Previously, without your permission, I didn't consider your feelings or Jiang Wuming's, and I unilaterally arranged your engagement with Wei Qianyuan. That was my mistake. Here, Dad apologizes to you. I hope you won't take it to heart, and certainly not hold a grudge against Dad."

Huangfu Qing spoke again, uncharacterగాly apologizing to Huangfu Weixia.

"You are truly opportunistic," Huangfu Weixia retorted sarcastically.

"—"

Huangfu Qing was left speechless.

On that day, fearing that Jiang Wuming's existence would affect Huangfu Weixia's engagement with Wei Qianyuan, he had specifically gone to Ren Country and found Jiang Wuming, asking him to stay away from Huangfu Weixia.

Yet now, his words implied no objection to Huangfu Weixia and Jiang Wuming being together, and he even praised Jiang Wuming.

This contrast was indeed too stark, appearing excessively opportunistic!

"Weixia, Dad is a businessman. Profit is ingrained in my very being," Huangfu Qing sighed and continued, "The reason I called you back today is that I want you to find some time to invite Jiang Wuming over for dinner..."

"Dinner?!"

This time, Huangfu Weixia was taken aback.

"Yes, to our home for dinner," Huangfu Qing nodded. "Firstly, I need to apologize to him for past matters. Secondly, I want to thank him in person.

You don't know, after the incident at the Donghai Hotel, the Wei family targeted and suppressed us everywhere. Your grandfather and uncles were very displeased with me.

Now, with Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan in trouble, the Wei family is like a drowning man saving himself, unable to even protect himself. They certainly won't target our Wei family anymore.

Or rather, even if the Wei family wanted to vent their anger on our family, they wouldn't have the strength to do so anymore.

And all of this is thanks to Jiang Wuming!

If it weren't for him, Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan wouldn't have been taken in, the Wei family would have continued to target and suppress the Huangfu family, and I would still be considered a sinner by the Huangfu family!"

"You really don't have to," Huangfu Weixia said irritably.

"Weixia, Dad is serious!" Huangfu Qing insisted.

"I am serious too!"

Huangfu Weixia stated, word by word, "Before, you were indifferent. Now, you can't afford to reach him!"

"???"

Huangfu Qing was once again speechless, his face filled with regret.

Although he didn't know the specific inside story and details of Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan being taken in, he realized something from this event: Jiang Wuming's status in the Qin family and even within the entire Military Department was far higher than he and everyone else had imagined!

If that weren't the case, the Qin family and the Military Department would absolutely not have acted this way for Jiang Wuming!

And with his decades of experience and a businessman's keen insight, he felt that while Jiang Zhan's contribution was a factor in Jiang Wuming earning such favor from the Qin family and the Military Department, it was primarily due to Jiang Wuming himself.

In other words, he had severely underestimated Jiang Wuming!

Therefore, he regretted it!

If time could be turned back, he would never have prevented Huangfu Weixia from being with Jiang Wuming!

Huangfu Qing was not the only one who realized he had underestimated Jiang Wuming; many others did too.

That afternoon, Ye Feng, the eldest young master of the Ye family and a sharp blade of the military, received a call from his grandfather, Ye Zheng, and arrived at the Ye family courtyard.

"Grandfather."

After entering the study, Ye Feng saluted Ye Zheng.

This was his habit.

Because he knew his grandfather valued such details.

"Sit," Ye Zheng gestured to the sofa opposite his desk.

"Alright," Ye Feng nodded, sat on the sofa, took off his military cap, and sat upright with his chest out, his posture perfectly standard.

"Xiao Feng, I've called you here today because I want you to do something," Ye Zheng got straight to the point.

"Grandfather, what is it?"

Ye Feng felt a bit confused. This was the first time Ye Zheng had formally assigned him a task.

"Find some time to gauge Jiang Wuming!" Ye Zheng said.

"Gauge Jiang Wuming?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Feng couldn't help but be surprised. "Grandfather, what do you mean?"

"You've heard about the Donghai Wei family's situation, haven't you?" Ye Zheng asked back.

"I have. Wei Xiang and Wei Qianyuan were taken in because of Jiang Wuming."

Ye Feng nodded first, then still confused, "But what does this have to do with you asking me to gauge Jiang Wuming?"

"You may not know, but after the Wei family had their incident, someone initially wanted to protect Wei Xiang. However, Qi Wufu from the Military Department directly slammed his palm on the table during the Elder Council meeting, stating that this matter must be handled with utmost seriousness, his attitude was extremely firm!"

As Ye Zheng spoke, his eyes glinted, "I think Qi Wufu's behavior is very unusual. In other words, Qi Wufu and the Military Department might show some care for Jiang Wuming because of Jiang Zhan's past merits, or they might want to recruit Jiang Wuming into the Military Department due to his martial arts talent and achievements in the field. But it shouldn't be to the point of slamming the table at the Elder Council!"

"Grandfather, you mean, Jiang Wuming might be hiding his strength?" Ye Feng understood but still spoke to confirm.

"Hmm, I'm asking you to gauge him so I can understand his true strength and verify a guess of mine."

Ye Zheng nodded but did not reveal the guess that made him tremble.

Jiang Wuming might very well be the Hall Master of the Zhanlong Hall!

...