Ouyang Ning Nuo thought it wouldn't hurt to yield to Tang Zijin this time.
Thus, he avoided the issue. "Your Excellency Clan Head, this one traveled thousands of li to solve a problem. Let's turn big problems into small ones and small ones into nothing. If we make a big fuss at Medical City, it won't do Cloud Realm Trade Consortium or the Tang Clan any good, don't you think? "
"I won't yield!" Long Fei Ye said to Tang Zijin through ventriloquism. Tang Zijin said domineeringly, "We're only going to Medical City to find out the truth. How is that making a big fuss? Could it be that Sir Ouyang knows something?"
Ouyang Ning Nuo was surprised. He'd already yielded, but Tang Zijin was still pressing him.
Before coming to negotiate, he'd done his research on the Tang Clan. From what he understood, the Tang Clan had always kept a low profile, and Tang Zijin wasn't the type to stir up trouble.
But he didn't have time to think. No matter what, he had to stop Tang Zijin.
If he really did go to Medical City, he'd be beaten up by Ning Cheng first no matter what the results were.
Tang Zijin didn't give him any face even after he'd given in just then. How was he supposed to do that now?
While Ouyang Ning Nuo was pondering, Tang Zijin heard another ventriloquism. "Still not leaving?
Tang Zijin translated, then said, "Sir Ouyang, the carriage has already been prepared. Please."
Ouyang Ning Nuo was already riding a tiger and had no way to back down. He gave way to Tang Zijin and said, "Your Excellency Clan Head, this matter has already caused an uproar. Medical City might not get involved. Do you have any other ideas? Why don't we discuss it in detail? "
Tang Zijin was finally satisfied. He was about to speak when Long Feiye's ventriloquism came again. He could only listen carefully and repeat, "My unworthy son was rude first, so how could this old man dare to have any thoughts? If the Hundred Li Trade Consortium has any plans, feel free to speak. "
Tang Zijin mused that this didn't sound like Long Fei Ye's style at all. But there was no point in thinking too much about it. He'd already been reduced to a mouthpiece.
Ouyang Ning Nuo only felt that this style of speech was familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He sat down and pretended to drink tea, but was actually fighting for time to think.
Tang Zijin had threatened him first, then tossed the initiative to him. How cunning!
This logic was the same as bargaining. Tang Zijin had not revealed his trump card, but he had been testing his bottom line.
Before he even finished his cup of tea, Tang Zijin was already urging him. Actually, it was the person behind the scenes who was urging him. "Young Master Ouyang, there are no outsiders here today. Let's not beat around the bush. If you have any requests, feel free to state them."
Wasn't that what Ouyang Ningruo had said at the beginning? Ouyang Ning Nuo felt as if he had been slapped in the face by his own words.
He really wanted to insist that Tang Li marry into the family, but judging from the current situation, he knew that if he mentioned the word "marry into the family," Tang Zijin would definitely go to Medical City!
If he didn't mention marrying into the Tang Family, was he going to ask Ning Jing to marry into the Tang Family?
Ouyang Ning Nuo really wanted that cheap girl Ning Jing to marry into the Tang Clan. For one thing, he could regain control of Cloud Realm Trade Consortium, and for another, Ning Jing's skills would definitely make a name for herself in the Tang Clan.
But … Ning Jing would rather die than marry into the Tang Family. When that girl's temper flared up, even Ning Cheng couldn't hold her back, much less him.
Ouyang Ning Nuo was caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Young Master Ouyang?" Tang Zijin urged again.
Ouyang Ning Nuo feigned calmness as he looked at him. It was a while before he spoke. "Your Excellency Clan Head, Ning Jing is one of Cloud Realm Trade Consortium's executive directors. You know that as well. Cloud Realm Trade Consortium can't do without her! "
In other words, Ouyang Ning Jing wouldn't marry into the Tang Family because she was in charge of Cloud Realm Trade Consortium. Cloud Realm Trade Consortium couldn't fall into anyone else's hands.
At this moment, Tang Zijin heard another ventriloquism. "Two!"
This was the same 'two' that Han Yunxi had mentioned yesterday. Tang Zijin finally realized that the ventriloquist was Long Fei Ye, but Han Yunxi was the one who'd come up with the idea.
Fortunately, Aunt Ru hadn't acted rashly. That girl's schemes were unfathomable.
Tang Zijin quickly recovered his wits and smiled at Ouyang Ning Nuo. "Old Man understands Young Master Ouyang's meaning! But Tang Li is our Tang Clan's successor. The Tang Clan's future can't do without Tang Li! "
"This …" Ouyang Ning Nuo was caught in a dilemma.
Tang Zijin pretended to think for a while before he said, "Old Man does have a plan. What does Young Master Ouyang think of it?"
"Your Excellency Clan Head, please speak," Ouyang Ning Nuo said politely.
"When a woman grows up, she'll marry. We'll have Ning Jing marry into our Tang Clan. Cloud Realm Trade Consortium and the Tang Clan will sign an agreement that their eldest son will become the Tang Clan's grandson and inherit the position of clan head. The second son will belong to Cloud Realm Trade Consortium and inherit the position of director. What do you think? "
"Then the two of them …" Ouyang Ning Nuo probed.
"As long as they give birth to a second son, Old Man won't bother interfering in their affairs …" Tang Zijin looked helpless.
The more Ouyang Ning Nuo thought about it, the more he found the idea to be ingenious!
As long as her father-in-law, Tang Zijin, didn't make things difficult or interfere, Ning Jing would be no different from Tang Li marrying into the Tang Clan. She could still stay in Cloud Realm Trade Consortium and keep Tang Li in check with her skills. If she had children in the future, she might even be able to use them to take control of the Tang Clan.
Ning Jing wouldn't lose much in the short term, but she'd gain a lot in the long run!
Ouyang Ning Nuo thought it over for a long time before he finally agreed to Tang Zijin's suggestion. He knew that Ning Jing disliked having children, but Ning Cheng should be satisfied with this plan.
That lowly girl was the one who caused all this trouble. She had to suffer a little before she'd restrain herself!
"That's not impossible!" Ouyang Ning Nuo smiled.
Tang Zijin rejoiced inwardly. This way, the Tang Clan wouldn't lose face and Tang Li would have a chance to join Cloud Realm Trade Consortium.
"Someone come, bring brush and ink!" Tang Zijin said decisively, afraid that Ouyang Ning Nuo would go back on his word.
Soon enough, the pre-nuptial agreement was written in black and white. Tang Zijin took out the Tang Clan's large copper seal and stamped it down. Ouyang Ning Nuo did the same with Cloud Realm Trade Consortium's seal.
There were two copies of the contract, thus deciding the fates of Tang Li and Ouyang Ning Jing.
Tang Li couldn't see, but he could hear his father rolling up the paper. He knew this was all a show and that he wouldn't really treat Ouyang Ning Jing as his wife, much less have children with her. But for some reason, he felt a strange, indescribable feeling in his heart.
"Congratulations, heheh!" Han Yunxi laughed up her sleeve.
Tang Li opened his mouth and begged her to treat his mute poison, but Han Yunxi only smiled innocently. "The antidote for this poison is time. It'll disappear automatically in an hour."
Tang Li didn't even have the energy to cry. He suddenly rejoiced that he was facing Ning Jing instead of Han Yunxi. He looked doubtfully at Long Fei Ye sitting on the side. He'd never understood how Han Yunxi had subdued Long Fei Ye, but now he had no idea how Long Fei Ye had dealt with this woman.
After Tang Zijin and Ouyang Ning Nuo put away the contract, they began another round of negotiations.
What else was there to discuss now that the wedding was set?
The betrothal gifts and dowry, of course!
"Your Excellency Clan Head, as this one sees it, the wedding should be held sooner rather than later. After all, there are too many rumors out there. If we delay any longer, it'll damage your son's reputation," Ouyang Ning Nuo said.
Han Yunxi was about to borrow Long Fei Ye's ventriloquism when Lady Tang suddenly spoke up. "Then please send over Ouyang Ning Jing's birth characters. This madam will calculate an auspicious date and send someone to propose marriage."
"Alright!" Ouyang Ning Nuo agreed easily. "Ning Jing is one of the executive directors of our Cloud Realm Trade Consortium. She has a high position and power, so we can't be careless about her wedding. Thus, Cloud Realm Trade Consortium plans to hold a grand banquet from the day of the proposal until the day of the wedding. "
The details of the banquet were up to the bride's side, so there was no need for Ouyang Ning Nuo to tell them. By bringing it up on the spot, he was hinting to Tang Zijin that Cloud Realm Trade Consortium would put on a grand display. Thus, their betrothal gifts couldn't be shabby, or else they'd lose face for the Tang Clan.
As the wife of the clan head, Lady Tang understood the implications well. She lazily leaned to one side and asked a servant girl, "Is the Pear Blossom Rain Needles in the young master's hands?"
"They've always been in the young master's hands," the servant girl replied.
Lady Tang didn't say much beyond a sound of agreement.
Ouyang Ning Nuo was secretly delighted. Before he came, Ning Cheng had told him that he could forgo everything else but the Pear Blossom Rain Needles.
Han Yunxi and Tang Li hid behind them and almost laughed out loud. It was true that the Pear Blossom Rain Needles were in Tang Li's hands, but he'd used them all up on his escape from the wedding!
Tang Zijin might not know this, but Lady Tang was the clearest.
Han Yunxi had a good impression of Lady Tang to begin with, but now she liked her even more. "Tang Li, your mother's so good," she said.
Tang Li couldn't speak, but his face was full of pride.
Long Fei Ye watched from the sidelines. It wasn't clear what he was thinking, but a faint trace of sadness rose to his lips.
Ouyang Ning Nuo was waiting for Lady Tang to bring up the dowry, but she didn't. Ouyang Ning Nuo wished she wouldn't.
He rose to his feet and said, "Leave the other trivial matters to the wedding nanny. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."
Tang Zijin sighed. "Aye, Tang Li had an engagement with Celestial Mountain's Cang Clan first. Now that something like this has happened, the Tang Clan can only let the Cang Clan down."
Ouyang Ning Nuo sighed as well to express his sympathy, but didn't voice his opinion. He'd leave the matter to the Tang Clan and Cang Qiuzi to deal with. Cloud Realm Trade Consortium would never offend Cang Qiuzi!
"Farewell."
Ouyang Ning Nuo was in a rush to leave, but Lady Tang suddenly called him back. "Hold it!"
Ouyang Ning Nuo grew apprehensive, afraid that the Tang Clan would invite people from Celestial Mountain as well. But Lady Tang only said, "Sir Ouyang, Cloud Realm Trade Consortium shouldn't prepare any dowry for that girl Ning Jing either. Our Tang Clan can afford to raise her, so we don't lack her things. As long as she's dressed up beautifully on the day of the wedding, that'll be enough, understood? "
Han Yunxi and Tang Li both muffled their mouths to keep from laughing out loud.
Lady Tang was too ruthless. Her words were so domineering. With Ouyang Ning Jing's personality, wouldn't she have brought enough dowry to show off her strength to her mother-in-law?
Han Yunxi suddenly recalled a saying. "No matter how good a mother is, she'll never be a good mother-in-law!"
Ouyang Ning Nuo's heart sank. He knew that this negotiation had failed. He'd lost again and failed to meet any of his expectations.
He even began to doubt his own negotiating skills. Had his skills deteriorated because he hadn't negotiated for so long?
Who knew how Ning Cheng would react when he heard the results? In any case, Han Yunxi and the rest emerged from the back of the guest hall in high spirits.
This matter was basically a success!
Han Yunxi was about to speak with Lady Tang when the silent Aunt Ru spoke up. She said …
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