Within the study.

 

A weary Ye Tianying pointed to the chair in front of him and spoke softly, "Sit down."

 

Ye Feng's eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he still took a seat.

 

Looking at his father before him, Ye Feng didn't know what to say for a moment.

 

Ye Tianying glanced at him and asked, "Do you want to know what exactly happened?"

 

Seeing Ye Feng nod, Ye Tianying continued softly, "Since you've achieved Foundation Establishment, you should be aware of the family matters."

 

"Three months ago, Zeng Shuheng suddenly came to me requesting a batch of goods urgently, and in large quantity."

 

"Our family's stock was nowhere near enough, but I contacted several regular partners and thought we could handle it."

 

"So, I agreed, but the contract stated that if we failed to deliver on time within three months, we'd have to pay a hundredfold compensation!"

 

"At that time, I didn't think too much of it, as the other partners had assured me they could gather the goods within three months."

 

"The result is that for some reason, these partners are now unable to deliver."

 

"This has led the Ye family into a dilemma."

 

After finishing, Ye Tianying looked at Ye Feng and asked softly, "What do you think about this?"

 

After a long while, Ye Feng walked out of the study and happened to see Li Guanqi nearby.

 

As they walked and talked, Guanqi frowned, recalling the news he had overheard by the wall.

 

Shaking his head at Ye Feng, he whispered, "I think both you and your father have guessed wrong."

 

"This is undoubtedly a trap set by the Zeng family!"

 

"It's possible that the suppliers your father contacted had already been bought off by the Zengs."

 

"And their goal is not the Ye family's assets!"

 

Hearing this, Ye Feng's heart tightened, and he exclaimed, "What?"

 

Li Guanqi transmitted his voice solemnly, "The Zeng family's ultimate goal is likely your sister, Ye Qing'er!"

 

Ye Feng's expression darkened, and he quickly pulled Li Guanqi to find Ye Tianying.

 

After Li Guanqi shared his suspicions and what he had overheard with Ye Tianying,

 

Ye Tianying's face went through a series of changes!

 

He slammed his hand on the table and cursed, "No wonder Zeng Shuheng has been insisting on taking Qing'er with him!"

 

"That bastard, the rumors about his son Zeng Yuan having health issues must be true!"

 

Li Guanqi, recalling the aura he had sensed earlier, spoke softly, "Ye Qing'er… does she have a Water Spirit Root?"

 

Ye Tianying nodded sharply.

 

"Indeed, Qing'er is of the Yin Water constitution."

 

"Hmph! They dare to target our Ye family!"

 

At this point, Ye Feng spoke up, "What do we do now?"

 

Li Guanqi pondered for a long while before saying softly, "There's not much we can do. Since the Zeng family's trap is so obvious, it means they're certain you can't gather enough Spirit Herbs."

 

"As for the contract… they'll surely insist on following the terms to the letter."

 

Ye Feng asked gravely, "If we have to compensate, how much would it be?"

 

Ye Tianying closed his eyes, his voice bitter, "One… one million lower-grade Spirit Stones…"

 

However, Ye Tianying then opened his eyes and said sternly, "Hmph! Even if I pay him one million Spirit Stones, he can't dream of taking Qing'er to be his son's concubine!"

 

"If it comes to it, I, Ye Tianying, will disperse my wealth and start over!"

 

Watching Ye Tianying's outburst, Ye Feng felt a mix of emotions, his head bowed as he spoke softly, "Father… if you value Qing'er so much, why have you neglected us and mother all these years?"

 

Ye Tianying glanced at Li Guanqi, then slowly sat down and began to speak softly.

 

"Neglect? If I had neglected, would there still be a place for you in this villa?"

 

"If I had neglected, how could you and Qing'er live without worries, with endless wealth?"

 

Ye Feng was already stunned…

 

Ye Tianying continued, "You think I've always been strict with you, even unkind."

 

"That I favored your older and second brothers because I knew that you would eventually embark on the path to immortality."

 

"That's why I never let you get involved with the family business."

 

"I didn't have high expectations for them; managing the family affairs was enough."

 

"Now that you've entered the path of cultivation and achieved Foundation Establishment, you'll move to the front courtyard tomorrow."

 

Ye Feng's eyes reddened, the grievances of many years suddenly erupting.

 

Li Guanqi, seeing this, also left the study, giving space for the father and son to talk.

 

Li Guanqi, stepping out of the study, furrowed his brow, then a smile appeared on his lips.

 

He murmured softly, "It seems… this matter might need a little push from me~"

 

And so, three days flashed by.

 

Ye Feng's family moved from the back courtyard to the best front courtyard.

 

The large courtyard was now bustling with many servants, all showing great respect towards Ye Feng.

 

However, these past two days, Ye Tianying was almost never seen, always out gathering Spirit Herbs.

 

Even at prices three times the market rate.

 

Still, the Spirit Herbs received were few and far between.

 

In the main hall, Ye Tianying's eyes were dark-ringed, and his temples had sprouted a few white hairs.

 

Ye Feng was also silent, knowing that today was the final deadline.

 

Ye Tianying opened his eyes and let out a breath, "Why fret? If it comes to it, I'll just give up this villa!"

 

Clearly, Ye Tianying had made his decision!

 

Boom!!

 

Two overwhelming pressures descended upon Qiongtai Villa.

 

Ye Tianying snorted and soared into the sky!

 

There stood Zeng Shuheng and another old man, hovering in the air!

 

Behind them was a young man on a flying sword, none other than Zeng Yuan, whom Li Guanqi had overheard speaking that day.

 

The robes fluttered in the breeze.

 

Seeing this, Ye Feng threw out his sword and flew up into the sky!

 

Li Guanqi followed, his jade slip responding at this moment.

 

Ye Tianying stood ten meters in front of the two and said sternly, "Hmph! So eager to come collect the debt?"

 

Zeng Shuheng smirked, taking out a round jade pendant with two drops of blood on it.

 

That was the contract jade pendant between the two.

 

"Ye Tianying, the contract date has arrived. Have you made your decision?"

 

"Will our families be joyfully united, or will the Ye family be left destitute?"

 

Ye Tianying sneered, "You've gone to great lengths to prevent me from buying at high prices, must have been tough on you."

 

Zeng Shuheng laughed heartily, "I've taken all the Red Ridge Grass within a hundred li, you dream of buying at high prices? Dream on!"

 

"Today, either let your daughter marry my son, and we'll call it even."

 

"Or hand over one million Spirit Stones, and I'll leave immediately!"

 

Ye Tianying's face was extremely grim as he threw out more than thirty Storage Bags!

 

And finally, the deed to Qiongtai Villa, he declared, "Here are six hundred thousand Spirit Stones, plus the value of all Spirit Herbs at two hundred thousand, and the deed to Qiongtai Villa!"

 

"A mere million Spirit Stones, I'll pay you!"