Lu Ming's series of actions terrified Xue Zong and shocked everyone present.
Good heavens, who did they think Xue Zong was?
He was the spokesperson for the Sleeping Dragon of Wudu, Han Shichong's image, his very face! To insult Xue Zong was to insult Han Shichong himself.
Not to mention, Lu Ming had also struck Han Yun, Han Shichong's sister.
This series of moves would absolutely bring immense trouble to the Su family. If things went wrong, Han Shichong might just lead his forces to attack.
Su Fei'ang was the first to step forward.
He roared, "Lu Ming, what are you doing? Xue Zong is the Sleeping Dragon's spokesperson, a good friend of our Su family. How dare you disrespect Xue Zong at the Old Master's funeral? What are your intentions?"
Turning to Su Wanran, he berated, "Wanran, is this the helper you invited? Are you trying to demonstrate your capabilities by putting down a friend of the Su family?"
Su Wanran was so stunned she couldn't retort, unsure of what to say.
Indeed, Lu Ming's actions were a bit excessive.
The other members of the Su family also began to whisper and point fingers. Some even demanded that Lu Ming be expelled from the Su family immediately, stating he was not welcome here.
As the crowd hurled their insults.
Suddenly.
Lu Ming burst into laughter. His laughter stunned everyone. Why was he laughing while being scolded? Was he out of his mind?
Su Fei'ang roared, "Lu Ming, what are you laughing at? Do you have any shame?"
Lu Ming waved his hand and retorted fiercely at Su Fei'ang, "You call Xue Zong a good friend of the Su family? Heh, Su Fei'ang, in my opinion, you're just a dog of Xue Zong!"
A dog?
This...
Su Fei'ang's beard bristled with anger. "Lu Ming, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Lu Ming pointed to the wreath sent by Xue Zong and said, "Look carefully. It clearly states that Old Master Su is the Patriarch, and you, Su Fei'ang, are the Young Master. If I remember correctly, you are currently only the Vice Chairman of the Su family, not the Young Master at all, are you?"
Uh... Su Fei'ang fell silent.
Lu Ming continued, "Han Shichong and Xue Zong are nothing but outsiders. I just want to ask, since when has the Su family's Young Master been decided by outsiders? What, is the Su family a subordinate of Han Shichong, and are you, Su Fei'ang, a dog raised by Xue Zong?"
Every word was like a knife, piercing to the heart.
Su Fei'ang had intended to leverage Han Shichong's status and prestige to elevate himself and usurp the position of Young Master.
Unexpectedly, it had provided Lu Ming with a handle.
Lu Ming had now laid bare the truth, leaving Su Fei'ang speechless. If he still considered himself the Young Master, he would be admitting that the Su family was a subordinate of Han Shichong and that he was a dog kept by Xue Zong!
How could he possibly admit to that?
Helpless.
Su Fei'ang could only steel himself and reply, "The term 'Young Master' was indeed used incorrectly, but I believe the Sleeping Dragon harbored no ill intentions. It was merely a slip of the pen."
A slip of the pen?
Heh heh!
Lu Ming said, "Since it was a mistake, it cannot be accepted. This wreath shall be returned. Also, my actions just now in preventing Han Yun and others from signing, are they now without issue?"
Su Fei'ang's scalp tingled. He wished he could flay Lu Ming alive.
But facing reality, he had no choice but to bow his head and admit, "Yes, your actions were not problematic. The wreath will be returned!"
Brilliant!!!
Through Lu Ming's maneuvering, not only was he not at fault, but he had also gained the moral high ground, forcing Su Fei'ang to reject Han Shichong's 'kind gesture.'
He still wanted to be Young Master? Dream on!
Su Fei'ang gritted his teeth, his fists clenched. He secretly swore that if he ever had the chance, he would chop Lu Ming into pieces and feed them to the fish!
The onlookers were also dumbfounded.
Su Fei'ang, Han Yun, Xue Zong – such a powerful combination, yet they were ultimately defeated by a nobody like Lu Ming?
Tsk, tsk, tsk. It seemed that Su Wanran's supporters were not to be underestimated either.
The Su family's fence-sitters suddenly stopped taking sides. After all, whether Su Fei'ang or Su Wanran won the struggle, they would side with the victor. There was no need to rush into a commitment now.
Su Wanran took a deep breath and said to Jiang Mengxin, "Incredible, Mengxin, your husband is quite capable."
Jiang Mengxin rolled her eyes.
Capable?
Heh heh. Lu Ming just loved to steal the spotlight and brag. This time, he was lucky to have caught the other party's weakness, but that didn't mean Lu Ming would always be so fortunate.
Just as the atmosphere grew extremely awkward, someone called out from outside, "The Old Matriarch has arrived."
The Old Matriarch, the wife of Old Master Su, and the grandmother of Su Fei'ang and Su Wanran—Shen Dianlan.
Shen Dianlan, dressed in a purple robe, exuded elegance and grace. She walked into the hall unhurriedly, holding a cane in one hand and a brocade box in the other.
Everyone made way for her.
"Grandmother!"
Su Fei'ang stepped forward to offer his services, assisting Shen Dianlan and leading her to the front of the crowd. A chair was brought for Shen Dianlan to sit on.
Shen Dianlan slowly took her seat and surveyed the assembly.
A moment later.
Her wrinkled face broke into a smile, and she said, "A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor a family without a head. Today, with all our dear friends and relatives present, I shall announce the Old Master's dying wish, allowing everyone to witness the selection of the Patriarch. From this day forward, Fei'ang and Wanran will no longer have to compete, and can focus their efforts on serving the Su family with peace of mind."
What?
The Old Master had already decided the matter of the Patriarch before his death?
The hearts of Su Fei'ang and Su Wanran leaped into their throats. If it had been decided from the start, then their constant squabbling would have been meaningless. Everything would have to be done according to the Old Master's wishes.
Everyone held their breath, listening intently.
Shen Dianlan slowly opened the brocade box, took out a piece of paper, and began to read its contents. "Before passing, the Old Master specifically instructed on the succession of the Su family Patriarch. He did not select Su Fei'ang, nor did he select Su Wanran. The Old Master's exact words were: 'Among the descendants of the Su family, whoever is the first to successfully research the synthetic gene cherry—the Water Ripple Cherry—shall inherit the position of Patriarch!'"
Huh?
Upon hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded.
So, the Old Master had already planned this. Before he departed, he had left this challenge. Whichever descendant of the Su family could solve this puzzle first would become the Patriarch.
In this way, it prevented Su Fei'ang and Su Wanran from engaging in mutual conflict, instead shifting their focus to the research of the Water Ripple Cherry.
It would not only select a Patriarch but also strengthen the Su family – killing two birds with one stone.
Old Master Su, brilliant!
Shen Dianlan placed the paper back into the brocade box and locked it.
"Everyone has surely understood the Old Master's dying wish. From now on, do not argue heatedly over the position of Patriarch, but rather focus your efforts on researching the Water Ripple Cherry."
"Furthermore, any direct descendant of the Su family can participate in the competition for the Patriarch's position, not limited to Fei'ang and Wanran."
"Do you all understand?"