Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Everyone's gaze fell upon Xiao Yi and the person beside him.

Fang Qingzhu inwardly sighed, knowing that what was meant to come, would always come.

She glanced at Xiao Yi beside her and together they approached Fang Tianhao. With a clear voice, Fang Qingzhu said, "Qingzhu wishes Grandfather a long life of endless prosperity. Qingzhu knows Grandfather enjoys drinking tea, so I personally roasted this batch of pre-rain green tea, hoping Grandfather will like it!"

In the past, even the mere presence of Fang Qingzhu before him would have delighted Fang Tianhao immensely.

But now...

Fang Tianhao merely responded with a dismissive tone, pointing to a side teatable without concealing the disdain on his face, "Put it there!"

He didn't even give it a glance.

Fang Qingzhu's eyes dimmed, her pale face flashing with a touch of disappointment and helplessness. This was the harsh reality, even her grandfather, who had adored her since childhood, had no more affection for her once he learned she had married Xiao Yi and lost her cultivation base.

In Fang Ao's resentful gaze gleamed a sense of vengeful pleasure. With feigned surprise, he said, "Xiao Yi, although you're merely a live-in son-in-law leeching off our Fang Family, today is the family head's birthday. Surely you haven't come unprepared with a gift? This is after all the first time you're attending the family head's birthday feast since your marriage to Fang Qingzhu. It wouldn't look good going empty-handed, would it? Wouldn't that be a joke to outsiders?"

The many guests in the hall looked at Xiao Yi with yet more scorn and contempt.

"The Xiao Family is among the most reputable clans in the Great Qian Dynasty, how could they not understand the most basic social etiquette? This is simply outrageous!"

"I heard he's already been expelled from the Xiao Family, he can hardly be considered one of them!"

The crowd's commentary was like millions of sharp spikes piercing Fang Qingzhu's heart.

She looked pleadingly towards Fang Zheng and Liu Yun.

Hoping her parents would step in to resolve this awkward situation.

However...

Fang Zheng and his wife displayed complete indifference, adopting a cold demeanor as if the matter was none of their concern, sinking Fang Qingzhu's heart even deeper.

At that moment...

Warmth spread from her palm; Xiao Yi had taken her hand. Under Fang Qingzhu's astonished gaze, Xiao Yi calmly said, "I did prepare a gift."

"Oh? Then let's see it!" Fang Ao demanded.

The crowd echoed, "Yes, let us see and learn what someone from the Xiao Family of the Great Qian Dynasty would present as a birthday gift!"

Xiao Yi produced the scroll and held it out to Fang Tianhao, "An ancient painting, wishing you longevity and health!"

"An ancient painting?"

"Even the cheapest ancient painting is worth thousands of silver pieces. If it's a painting by Tang Pu, then any random scroll could be worth tens of thousands. I wonder whose masterpiece he has brought?"

Fang Tianhao was also taken aback; if it truly was an ancient painting, then that would indeed be an acceptable gift. He turned to Fang Hao, "Hao, open this scroll and let's see, whose prized work could this be?"

"Yes, Grandfather!"

Fang Hao took the scroll and slowly unrolled it.

The crowd stretched their necks with anticipation, "Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll? What a domineering name!"

"The painting is well-crafted, and those inscriptions are indeed unique, but whose masterpiece could it be?"

When the scroll was fully unfurled, the crowd saw the signature 'Jin Wuheng' and exchanged puzzled looks.

Fang Ao's face exaggerated shock as he exclaimed, "Jin Wuheng? Who's that? Never heard of him. Xiao Yi, don't tell me you picked up some street stall trinket as a birthday present?"

As Fang Tianhao heard these words, his expression darkened.

He was the respected head of the Fang Family. If he truly accepted a street-vendor good as a birthday gift, wouldn't it be a loss of face for the entire household?

Fang Tianhao looked towards Zhang Yong, "Pavilion Master Zhang, you are known as a great collector in Nanhuang City. Have you ever heard of a master named Jin Wuheng?"

Zhang Yong touched his nose with a peculiar look on his face, "The name Jin Wuheng sounds unfamiliar, but everyone should have heard of his nickname 'Life-Stealing Scholar.'"

"The Life-Stealing Scholar? The one who was as famous as Tang Pu, and also one of the Great Qian Dynasty's Four Great Scholars of the past?"

"Wasn't it said that because the Life-Stealing Scholar committed too many killings, all his works were destroyed, leaving no existing pieces?"

"Pavilion Master Zhang, is this painting real or fake?"

Zhao Yu's voice was somber, "Pavilion Master Zhang, Xiao Yi's reputation is at stake. It's better to carefully appraise it!"

Zhang Yong waved his hand dismissively, "As everyone mentioned, the Life-Stealing Scholar has no works that survived to this day. How can there be an authentic piece by him in the world? What else is there to appraise?"

The crowd naturally grasped the implication of his words.

If Jin Wuheng had no works that had been passed down, then this painting must be a fake!

Fang Ao was inwardly delighted, but his face showed a look of disappointment akin to hating iron for not becoming steel, "Xiao Yi, you truly brought a fake gift as a birthday present?"

"Aiyowei, Xiao Yi, that's too much! Yesterday, you received a Goldlight Spirit Stone Statue at the Treasure Pavilion worth more than a hundred thousand silver, and you didn't use it as a gift, but how could you bring a fake painting to deceive people?" Lei Bao, who had recognized Xiao Yi early in the crowd, stepped forward and said aloud.

Fang Ao's eyes lit up as he stirred the pot from the side, "Xiao Yi, you've truly disappointed us. We could have understood if you had no money to prepare a gift, but you just got a treasure worth more than a hundred thousand yesterday. Not offering it as a gift to our head is one thing, but to use a fake painting to humiliate the head..."

"Enough!"

This statement was like pouring oil on a fire, thoroughly enraging Fang Tianhao.

With a fierce slap, he smashed the wooden table beside him to pieces, his face extremely ugly. He never liked Xiao Yi from the bottom of his heart and had never expected anything worthy as a gift.

Just as Fang Hao said, Xiao Yi was humiliating him!

Fang Tianhao's face was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it, and the disgust in his eyes grew stronger, "I, Fang Tianhao, have lived for so many years, but this is the first time someone has dared to insult me with a fake good. Out of respect for the Xiao Family, I won't pursue this matter, but I want you to get out immediately and never set foot in the Fang Household ever again!"

"No wonder even the Xiao Family is unwilling to acknowledge your status. It's truly a disgrace!" Fang Ao shook his head in sighs, but the satisfaction of revenge was evident in his eyes.

Lei Bao too shook his head, "Get going already, do you want to stay and lose more face?"

Xiao Yi's gaze, cold as it passed over everyone's faces, softened as he felt warmth from the palm of his hand. Looking down at Fang Qingzhu, there was an inquiring look in his eyes.

Fang Qingzhu smiled gently, "Since the people here don't welcome us, let's go!"

The murderous intent in Xiao Yi's eyes disappeared, and he nodded with a smile, "Alright!"

The two of them, hand in hand, turned and walked away.

Fang Ao and Lei Bao exchanged glances, but were they about to let him off that easily?

"Take your fake good and leave with it. Don't leave it here to dirty the Fang Household!" Fang Ao crumpled the scroll and threw it outside the door.

Just as the scroll was about to hit the ground, at that moment, an old palm steadily caught it.

At the same time.

From outside the door came the trembling voice of a servant, filled with excitement, "Pavilion Master Elder Yan from the Treasure Pavilion has arrived…"