As Director Fan "didn't feel well", Zhang Tie stayed one more day in the hotel. He didn't "visit" Director Fan's mansion until the afternoon of April 29, the 3rd day since he arrived in Fuhai City.
Director Fan's family lived in a tranquil residence in Fuhai City. Both sides of the surrounding streets were full of major families.
There were two stone lions in front of the gate of Fan family, which indicated that Fan family was an official family in Taixia Country.
When Zhang Tie got off the car, an old steward of Fan Mansion was waiting for him at the vermilion gate of Fan Mansion. Seeing Zhang Tie getting off the car, the steward walked over and led Zhang Tie into Fan Mansion. Zhang Cheng then gave Zhang Tie's gift to the servants of Fan Mansion.
"Director Fan, do you feel better today?" Zhang Tie asked the steward of Fan Mansion as they walked on the flower path.
An awkward expression appeared on the housekeeper's face as he stammered, "Master … Master's body is much better!"
In Zhang Tie's eyes, everything in the Fan Mansion was courteous, including the servants. However, they lacked the enthusiasm from the bottom of their hearts.
Zhang Tie let out a sigh inside. He had not imagined that he could encounter such a situation in Yingzhou City. No matter what, now that Fan Mansion had made a choice, he just had to cooperate with them. Given that Director Fan's daughter had waited for him for a few years, he had to give face to Fan Mansion.
If business failed, benevolence and righteousness would prevail. Everyone would part ways on good terms.
This time, it was not the Fan Mansion that embarrassed him, but the Gobbling Party in Yingzhou. In the future, he would settle the score with the Gobbling Party.
'If I had known this earlier, I would have taken Linda and the other girls here as a honeymoon trip.' Zhang Tie thought.
Steward Fan invited Zhang Tie into the parlor of Fan Mansion.
Director Fan was sitting on a chair in the main position of the parlor. Right behind Director Fan was a picture of green pines and red sun. There was a pair of couplets on both sides of the picture.
On the left side of the couplet was — Green pines and green bamboos, mountains and rivers are always in spring!
On the right side of the couplet was — Willows, green flowers, red flowers, the land of the Divine Prefecture is bathed in the morning light!
Horizontal scroll — Vientiane is renewed.
Given the position of Director Fan in Fuhai City, it was appropriate to have such a couplet in his parlor.
It was also Director Fan's first time to see Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie's youth and demeanor made Director Fan's eyes light up. Closely after that, his eyes dimmed down.
After Zhang Tie took a seat, a maid served a cup of tea to Zhang Tie. A servant put Zhang Tie's gift on the table in front of Director Fan. After that, Director Fan waved his hand, all the servants of Fan family left.
Before Director Fan said anything, Director Fan had already let out a long sigh.
"Why did you sigh?" Zhang Tie asked.
"Since you've already guessed it, why ask when you already know the answer?" Director Fan revealed a bitter smile as he watched Zhang Tie, "This old man just sighed that such a good son-in-law couldn't match my daughter. My daughter is really unlucky. In this matter, the Fan family had been respectful at first, then deferential. They had broken their promise and broken their promise. They had lost their composure and would become a laughing stock in the future! This old man's face will be thrown to the ground. If I were a loner who only cared about my own heart when doing things, so what if I lose this black hat? At worst, this old man will just set up a stall and sell wine. I'll be happy to be free and unfettered. Sometimes, I should not only care about myself but also the clan. Fan Clan is so big. The population of Fan Clan in Yingzhou Province is not less than that of Huaiyuan Palace. I have to consider all aspects. If you feel angry and feel losing your face, just beat me hard today. Even if I was beaten to death by you, I would also order my subordinates not to report it to the authorities or find trouble for Huaiyuan Palace... "
Zhang Tie had not imagined that Director Fan could be so frank and straightforward. He even admitted his mistake without being hypocritical at all. Zhang Tie had a good impression on Director Fan.
From Director Fan's words, Zhang Tie had already known the result, which was as same as what he had predicted — — the Gobbling Party finally forced Director Fan to break off the engagement by exerting pressure on Fan Clan in Yingzhou Province. Fan Clan was a big clan in Yingzhou Province while Huaiyuan Palace was far away from Youzhou Province. No matter from which perspective, Fan Clan would not turn hostile to the Gobbling Party in Yingzhou Province just for a common woman of Fan Clan.
Fan Clan should have long known about the animosity between Huaiyuan Palace and the Gobbling Party. However, it was out of Fan Clan's imagination that the contradiction between Fan Clan and the Gobbling Party could be intensified to such a degree in such a short period after Zhang Tie returned to Taixia Country. If the Gobbling Party really advocated benevolence, righteousness and morality like how they claimed, this contradiction would be intensified. It was not a big deal for gentlemen to compete with each other.
Pitifully, gentlemen were always few in this world. Therefore, Fan Clan had to break off the engagement.
This was also why Zhang Tie despised the Gobbling Party the most. The benevolence, righteousness and morality that they talked about were always aimed at others instead of themselves.
"The animosity between Huaiyuan Palace and the Gobbling Party originated from Lord Huaiyuan. As a descendant of Huaiyuan Palace, I have the bloodline of Lord Huaiyuan in my body. Of course, I have to arouse this animosity. However, I've not imagined that Fan Clan was involved in this event. Because of me, your daughter's prime years were wasted. I'm so sorry about that!" Zhang Tie slightly stood up and bowed towards Director Fan. Director Fan hurriedly bowed towards Zhang Tie with a bashful look.
After Director Fan sat down, Zhang Tie continued, "As this event originated from the Gobbling Party, I understand Director Fan and Fan Clan's concerns and difficulties very well. I will not vent my anger on Director Fan or Fan Clan. The cooperation between Fan Clan and Jinwu Business Group will not be influenced at all. The engagement between me and your daughter will be canceled from today on. Hopefully, your daughter could find her Mr. Right as soon as possible and live a happy life in the future! Director Fan, you don't need to care about it too much … "
Having not imagined that Zhang Tie could be so considerate and considerate, Director Fan watched Zhang Tie as he felt that he had lost a good son-in-law. With complex feelings, his lips quivered as he said, "Nephew …"
Zhang Tie had already stood up as he said straightforwardly, "After today's event, I have to leave. As my parents are concerned about me, I will return to Youzhou Province by airship today!"
"Nephew, these gifts …" Director Fan became more bashful as he pointed at the gifts and asked Zhang Tie to take them away.
"It's said that Director Fan loves liquor. Therefore, I've prepared some 'Early Sunshine after Light Snow' from Youzhou Province. This' Early Sunshine after Light Snow 'is the best in Youzhou Province. It has been frozen by ice cubes all the way. Director Fan, you could have a taste of it. The other gifts are some specialties and gifts of Huaiyuan Palace for your wife and daughter at the order of my mother. They're not worth too much money.
Before leaving, Zhang Tie threw a glance at the back room of the parlor …
…
Director Fan saw Zhang Tie off all the way to the gate of Fan Mansion. After seeing Zhang Tie get on the vehicle, Director Fan let out a deep sigh with complex feelings as he returned to the parlor with a deep sigh.
At this moment, another old man who seemed to be at his 60s or 70s was standing in the parlor.
At the sight of this old man, Director Fan, who was sighing, looked straight ahead as if he had seen an invisible person. At the same time, he sat down on his chair softly like having a cramp. Shaking his head, he murmured, "What a good son-in-law … what a good son-in-law …"
The old man was checking those gifts from Zhang Tie in the parlor. After finding that there was nothing that could make him worried, he became reassured.
"My son is really outstanding. Alas, what a pity …" the old man also let out a sigh.
"He's more than outstanding …" Director Fan raised his head and threw a glance at the old man as he let out another sigh, "A 20-year old knight is an elite among the top 7 sects in Taixia Country … It's said that he's been fighting demons in Waii Subcontinent and has long gained experience. Previously, I didn't believe that. I've not imagined that he could help Zhang Taixuan to win the position of provincial governor of Youzhou Province in only a few months after returning to Taixia Country. Closely after that, he became the dean of the Provincial Court of Youzhou Province and defeated the Heavens Reaching Church, which shocked the entire country. Even in the fight against the Gobbling Party, he's brave and resourceful. It's said that he's filial to his mother and respects the old and cherishes the young. What I've seen today is that he's really a gentleman. I know that he would definitely become a great figure in the future and could even match that of a provincial governor of Youzhou Province …"
"If not, why would the Gobbling Party be so afraid of him?" The old man also shook his head.
"Pitifully, Zhu 'er has wasted so many years …"
"Zhu 'er is obedient and sensible. After this event, we will find a good match for her. Fan Clan will treat Zhu' er well in the future!"
After hearing this, Director Fan recovered his composure a bit; however, he still had another question inside. Director Fan suddenly sprung up as he looked straight into the old man's eyes, "Elder, our Fan Clan is not a pushover in Yingzhou Province. No matter how powerful the Gobbling Party is, we can't cover the sky with one hand. Why do we compromise with the Gobbling Party this time and waste such a good opportunity? After a few more years …"
After being silent for a few seconds, the old man slowly said, "According to the news from Xuanyuan Hill … the east palace … will have a regent within this year!"
Director Fan stood still for a few seconds before sitting down dispiritedly …
Now that the east palace started to have a regent, it meant that the leader of the Gobbling Party would soon become one of the top three chancellors in Taixia Country. It might be in a few years, at most 10 years …
Although Fan Clan in Yingzhou Province was not weak, Fan Clan was not qualified to challenge the top three chancellors in Taixia Country. Only after a few years, Zhang Tie was still Zhang Tie; however, the Gobbling Party might not be the same anymore …
"Is the legend true, Your Majesty …"
"Watch your words!" The old man's voice was sharp and his face was as cold as iron, interrupting what Fan Ji was about to say. (To be continued.)
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