The numerous guests in the outer hall were all watching this scene unfold. Many of them couldn't help but show a hint of amusement on their faces. It was clear to them that this short-haired young man surnamed Xiao had offended the Shang family, which was why he was subjected to such humiliation.
Liu Ruyan was so furious that her face turned ashen. She had seen people humiliate others before, but never in such a manner.
"Your Shang family's actions are going too far. Regardless of anything else, we are the bride's maternal family. Is this how you treat your guests!"
Liu Ruyan questioned in a deep voice, her delicate body trembling with anger.
The commotion had grown quite significant, prompting Shang Youde, his wife, Shang Dong, Liu Feiyan, and others to emerge from the inner hall.
"Too far? This brat surnamed Xiao, a mere live-in son-in-law and good-for-nothing from the Liu family, actually dared to break my husband's legs with his martial arts skills, forcing him to sit in a wheelchair even on his wedding day. I'd like to ask, who exactly is going too far here?"
Liu Feiyan immediately retorted with a cold voice.
Shang Bin De also stepped forward, saying, "And me. The reason my right hand was sawed off was also thanks to this good-for-nothing son-in-law surnamed Xiao. Two days ago, one of my subordinates inadvertently offended this surnamed Xiao. Who knew this surnamed Xiao would lash out and kill him directly? I originally wanted to seek justice for my subordinate, but I didn't expect this surnamed Xiao to directly shatter my right hand into a comminuted fracture!"
Upon saying this, Shang Bin De tearfully addressed the assembled guests, "This dog-like fellow surnamed Xiao is truly cruel and inhumane. Someone like him doesn't deserve to be called human; he only deserves to be a dog. Today, our Shang family is giving him a bowl of dog food, and that's not too much at all, because this dog-like fellow only deserves to eat such things!"
The surrounding guests erupted in an uproar, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
"This young man surnamed Xiao is truly audacious. He beat the direct descendants of the Shang family, shattered Second Master Shang's hand into a comminuted fracture, and broke Shang Dong's legs. And now he dares to show up here. This is simply brazen!"
"I really don't know if this fellow surnamed Xiao is too bold or too ignorant. Doesn't he know that the Shang family is one of the three great ancient aristocratic families of Su City!"
"Originally, I thought the Shang family was going a bit too far, especially since it's the Shang family's wedding day. But now I realize the Shang family's actions are completely justified. If it were me, I probably would have done the same. This fellow named Xiao Yunlong is just too arrogant and presumptuous!"
Seeing the guests pointing and whispering, Liu Ruyan was so angry she couldn't speak. It was clearly the Shang family acting recklessly, and Brother Xiao was merely defending himself. Now, according to the Shang family's narrative, they were the victims.
Liu Hongguo said sternly, "Shang Youde, regardless of anything else, it is your son's wedding day. I just want to ask, do you really have to escalate things to the point where they become irrecoverable?"
Shang Youde slowly stepped forward and sneered, "Liu Hongguo, since you've spoken, I'll make things clear today. Do you know that you've already been bewitched by this dog-like fellow surnamed Xiao!"
"What did you say? You're saying I've been bewitched by Mr. Xiao?" Liu Hongguo almost burst out laughing.
"Precisely!"
Shang Youde said, then slowly turned to the guests and stated, "As everyone knows, this young man surnamed Xiao is merely a live-in son-in-law of the Liu family. And this Liu Ruyan is just an adopted wild child of the Liu family. To the Liu family, both of them are outsiders. My daughter-in-law Liu Feiyan and her family are the direct descendants of the Liu family!"
At this point, Shang Youde changed his tone. "But you, Liu Hongguo, not only dote on two outsiders, but you've also expelled your own son and his family of four from the Liu family. What's more, the thirty-five percent shares of the Liu family group that originally belonged to Liu Jianmin have been ruthlessly taken back by you and are intended for these two outsiders."
Liu Hongguo said mockingly, "Shang Youde, why does it sound like you, an outsider, understand my Liu family's internal affairs better than I, the patriarch?"
Shang Youde did not respond to Liu Hongguo. Instead, he declared loudly, "Distinguished guests, everyone, please consider: if Liu Hongguo had not been bewitched by this live-in son-in-law surnamed Xiao, how could he have done something like turning his back on his own kin?"
"Patriarch Shang, hearing you say that, I also feel that Old Master Liu must have been bewitched. Otherwise, it's impossible for someone to expel their own son and grandson from the family, and then take back shares and family inheritance rights only to give them to an outsider."
Suddenly, someone from the crowd of guests shouted. Whether this person had been bought off by the Shang family beforehand, no one knew.
However, as this person finished speaking, the surrounding crowd began to follow suit.
Seeing this, Liu Hongguo chuckled and said, "Alright Shang Youde, I have nothing more to say. But I still want to give you a piece of advice: People who don't court death won't die!"
After speaking, Liu Hongguo pulled out a chair and sat down. After all, he had said what he needed to say and done what he could. However, the Shang family still refused to listen to reason, remaining arrogant and overbearing, doing as they pleased. Since they were so eager to court death, he would let them.
Shang Youde had laid the groundwork for a long time. Seeing that the atmosphere was almost right, he waved his hand and said, "Everyone, let's not even discuss whether my Shang family is a so-called ancient aristocratic family of Su City. Now that Liu Feiyan has married into my Shang family, she and Liu Jianmin are in-laws, meaning we are family. Therefore, I cannot ignore the grievances that Liu Jianmin's family suffered previously!"
"Patriarch Shang, well done. You are loyal and righteous. This matter indeed needs to be addressed!" someone immediately shouted again, setting the tone.
"So, how should this matter be addressed?"
Shang Youde then turned to Xiao Yunlong and said loudly, "My Shang family is not a family that bullies others. Regarding the thirty-five percent shares of the Liu family group that Liu Jianmin was forcibly deprived of, my Shang family is willing to invest and help him buy them back. I discussed this with Brother Jianmin yesterday. He said that after buying back those thirty-five percent shares, he only wants fifteen percent. Of course, I won't take the remaining twenty percent either, otherwise, it would be my Shang family's act of extortion. Finally, we decided to give those twenty percent shares to Shang Dong and Feiyan as a wedding gift!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Hongguo and the other two secretly sneered. On the surface, the Shang family appeared righteous and honorable, but in reality, they harbored malicious intentions. If using Chen Ruimin to control the Liu family group before was a form of trickery, then the Shang family was now openly plundering.
From this, it seemed that the Shang family's true objective was indeed the Liu family group, and the marriage alliance was merely a means to an end.
Shang Youde continued, "Upon hearing this, some might think my Shang family has ulterior motives. But I, Shang Youde, can frankly tell them that my Shang family is doing this entirely to seek justice for Liu Jianmin and his family of four, and to reclaim what rightfully belongs to them!"
"Patriarch Shang, your benevolence is admirable. I believe that what you are doing is truly selfless and worthy of your status as in-laws!" someone from the crowd immediately shouted again, following the rhythm.
Shang Youde waved his hand, then turned his gaze to Xiao Yunlong and said, "As for this dog-like fellow surnamed Xiao, he is merely a live-in good-for-nothing son-in-law of the Liu family. For Feiyan and the others' sake, I won't be too harsh. As long as he eats this bowl of dog food completely, and then breaks his own dog legs and crawls out of my Shang family's dog hole, I will spare his dog life today!"
The rhythm masters in the surroundings immediately shouted again, "Patriarch Shang is too magnanimous and merciful! This live-in good-for-nothing son-in-law of the Liu family not only broke Young Master Shang Dong's legs but also shattered Second Master Bin De's right hand into a comminuted fracture. He even attempted to usurp and seize the Liu family's assets. Such a cruel and wicked dog-like fellow is not fit to live in this world!"
"Yes, his living is just a waste of food. Patriarch Shang, giving him a bowl of dog food today is already an extraordinary kindness!"
Listening to the shouts from the surroundings, Shang Youde smiled. Liu Feiyan and Liu Jianmin also smiled, as their objective had been achieved, and the effect was surprisingly good.
However, throughout the entire process, Xiao Yunlong sat on his chair as still as a mountain, coldly watching Shang Youde, as if he were watching a monkey perform.
Shang Youde's gaze gradually turned cold as he stared intently at Xiao Yunlong and said in a chilling voice, "You surnamed Xiao, did you hear what I just said? Why are you still sitting there motionless? Hurry up and eat. Didn't you say earlier that you never stand on ceremony with anyone? Eat up quickly. If this isn't enough, there's more. My Shang family has plenty today!"
Xiao Yunlong chuckled and said, "Patriarch Shang, after all that painstaking performance and speechifying, you must be hungry by now, right?"
"What do you mean by that?" Shang Youde asked coldly.
"Nothing else, I just see Patriarch Shang has worked so hard performing, I'd like to treat you to a meal!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong suddenly sprang up like a tiger or a leopard, grabbed Shang Youde's head, and forcefully pushed it down onto the tabletop.
Then, Xiao Yunlong picked up the dirty and foul-smelling bowl of dog food and directly inverted it onto Shang Youde's face.
"Eat quickly. This is my treat. Your kind is worse than dogs. Being able to eat dog food is already a rare privilege!" Xiao Yunlong grunted.
Shang Youde struggled frantically but could not break free. Soon, his entire face, including his nose, eyes, and even his mouth, was smeared with the foul-smelling leftovers. Finally, even his head and body were covered in it, making him look like a mad dog.
The surrounding crowd was stunned into silence by this scene. Even the Shang family members momentarily forgot to help.