The airport was in an uproar. Du Yuemian's public assault naturally caused panic among the onlookers. The thugs called by Zhong Shaokun were at a loss.
Moments later, the Public Security Bureau arrived.
"What's going on?"
A stern-looking middle-aged man in a black uniform approached. He was Xu Shi, the deputy director of the Provincial Public Security Bureau, known as the "Iron-Faced Lion King."
Xu Shi glanced at the deceased Zhong Shaokun, his brow furrowed and his expression darkening. Murder in public at an airport was a serious offense. The security personnel behind him raised their weapons, pointing them at Ye Ming and Du Yuemian, remaining vigilant.
However, upon seeing Du Yuemian, Xu Shi's expression froze.
"Director Xu, long time no see!" Du Yuemian said calmly. She knew the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau.
"Miss Du, I didn't expect to see you in such a situation." Xu Shi took a deep breath, stabilized his emotions, and signaled his subordinates, "Put down your weapons."
"Miss Du, could you explain what happened?" Although Du Yuemian came from the Du family, Xu Shi was not intimidated. He lived up to his reputation.
Du Yuemian did not make things difficult for him and explained the entire situation.
"Alright! I understand the situation!" Xu Shi pondered for a moment and then said, "Then I won't disturb Miss Du any further. If further investigation is required, I hope you can cooperate!"
"Mm!"
After a brief explanation, Du Yuemian and Ye Ming walked out of the airport. Xu Shi watched the retreating figures and his expression grew solemn. "I wonder if the Du family can weather this storm this time?"
...
"Miss, you're back!" As they exited the airport, an old steward from the Du family greeted them. This old steward was named Ge Qingkong, one of the elders who had watched Du Yuemian grow up.
"Grandpa Ge, I'm back!" Du Yuemian smiled at the old man.
"Good! It's good that you're back!" Ge Qingkong said kindly. He then looked at Ye Ming beside Du Yuemian and chuckled, "This must be Young Master Ye Ming that young lass Xiao Qing mentioned?"
"Hello, Grandpa Ge! Just call me Ye Ming!" Ye Ming replied with a smile, very approachable.
Grandpa Ge? Hearing Ye Ming address Ge Qingkong as such, a hint of surprise flickered in Du Yuemian's beautiful eyes.
"Good! Indeed, you are handsome and extraordinary!" Ge Qingkong then glanced at Du Yuemian and nodded. "Excellent! You two are quite a pair!"
"Ah! I..." Hearing this, even the usually dignified and serene Du Yuemian was momentarily speechless.
However, for Ye Ming, such situations were effortless. "I think so too!" he said, glancing at Du Yuemian, who had lowered her head. "What do you think, Yuemian?"
Would Ye Ming's remark cause Miss Du to lose composure again? Ge Qingkong also looked at the blushing Du Yuemian, clearly surprised. Was this the usually proud and arrogant eldest daughter of the Du family? She seemed a little shy now.
After a moment, Du Yuemian raised her head, the awkwardness completely gone. She looked directly at Ye Ming and asked earnestly, "Young Master, are you sure you want to joke like this?"
"Uh!" Hearing Du Yuemian's tone, Ye Ming suddenly had a bad feeling. "Then... then, perhaps we should discuss the Du family's situation first!" Ye Ming chickened out. Although he didn't know how Du Yuemian would retaliate, his intuition told him it wouldn't be pleasant. It was best to avoid her sharp tongue for now.
"Hmph!" Du Yuemian's gaze towards Ye Ming held a touch of cunning. This was the first time she had "repelled" Ye Ming head-on!
Ge Qingkong looked back and forth between the two, sensing that this pair had some unspoken secrets. After all, he had clearly heard Du Yuemian's address of "Young Master."
In the car, Ge Qingkong recounted the recent events of the Du family to them. It was well-known that there were three top families in the provincial capital: the Du family, the Zhong family, and the Feng family. For years, the balance in the provincial capital had been maintained by these three families. However, a sudden change had completely shattered this equilibrium.
That change was the Battle of Heavenly Guardians. Years ago, the pillars of the three major families in the provincial capital had participated in that battle to contend for the so-called "Bodhi Tree of Enlightenment." But the outcome was beyond everyone's expectations. After the battle, the Martial God whom the old patriarch of the Du family had followed perished, and he himself was severely injured. In contrast, although the old patriarchs of the other two families were also injured, their injuries were not fundamental. Furthermore, the Martial Gods whom they had followed had not perished in that battle.
Therefore, it was evident to any discerning person how the situation in the provincial capital would unfold. The Du family became the target of all. Fortunately, the Zhong family maintained a neutral stance and had no intention of attacking the Du family. Coupled with the fact that the old patriarch of the Du family had not yet died, the existence of a Martial Emperor could still suppress lesser threats. Thus, no one chose a mutually destructive path.
In this way, the delicate balance in the provincial capital persisted for two years. Until now, the day to break the equilibrium had arrived. Because the old patriarch of the Du family was about to perish!
Both externally and internally, the Du family was in a precarious state. They now had only two paths: compromise or fight. Rumor had it that the eldest young master of the Feng family had personally stated that as long as the Du family was willing to form a marriage alliance with the Feng family, the Feng family would not attack the Du family. Furthermore, they would use the Feng family's influence to protect the Du family. The person the eldest young master of the Feng family requested for the marriage alliance was the eldest daughter of the Du family—Du Yuemian.
His words gave the Du family a glimmer of hope for survival amidst the crisis. If the Feng family truly offered their assistance, the Du family's predicament would naturally be resolved. While most believed this was the Du family's only way out, a few insightful individuals understood that the eldest young master of the Feng family's words were not for the Du family's sake, but to strengthen the Feng family indirectly.
Once the Du family formed a marriage alliance with the Feng family, although they could escape immediate difficulties, what about their future? It was likely they would become a subordinate of the Feng family. In the end, the eldest young master of the Feng family would not only gain control of the Du family but also marry the beauty. This was a move that served two purposes.
How could the Du family's high-ranking officials not see this? But at this point, if they couldn't overcome the immediate crisis, would the Du family have a future at all? Therefore, a division arose within them regarding the two choices. However, the number of people choosing compromise significantly outnumbered those who advocated for fighting. All of the above constituted the current external and internal crises of the Du family.
...
Meanwhile, a secret临时 meeting was convened within the Du family. All the participants in this meeting were Du family members who supported compromise. Du Yuemian, who was rushing back home, was clearly unaware of all this.