Chapter 22: Accumulate Grain

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"I'm not worthy, are you?"

When Mrs. Liu spoke to Tang Jun, she made no attempt to hide the disdain in her tone.

"You unilaterally like my daughter and want to be with her. Have you ever considered her? Have you ever considered her family?"

"Your head is full of hot-blooded passion, thinking things like 'take her away, give her happiness,' and 'she'll be happy with you?'"

"I will absolutely give Ruyan happiness!"

Tang Jun stepped forward, his eyes unwavering.

"Is that so? Heh..."

Mrs. Liu was practically laughing in anger: "Tell me, what will you use to make her happy? With your words?"

As the truth became clear, those around them also looked at Tang Jun with disdain, their gazes towards Liu Ruyan becoming playful.

There were examples of wealthy heiresses wanting to elope with ordinary people.

They had initially thought that Liu Ruyan, inheriting her mother's ruthless methods, wouldn't do something so foolish, but they had overestimated her.

And this bodyguard, talking about giving Liu Ruyan happiness, how will he do it?

How can a princess accustomed to a life of luxury obtain that so-called happiness?

Feeling the mocking gazes of those present, Tang Jun calmed down. His expression, no longer anxious or serious, gradually became calm.

"Heh... It's normal for young people to be a little impetuous, Madam Liu, aren't you going a bit too far?"

Just then, a voice rang out.

Immediately afterwards, an elderly man in a suit walked over slowly. His hair was meticulously styled, and his every move exuded an elegance refined by time.

Everyone present recognized him.

It was Lei Yongming, the city lord of Su City, a high-ranking official.

Lei Yongming stepped forward with a smile, his eyes showing a hint of appreciation when he looked at Tang Jun.

"City Lord Lei?"

Seeing the newcomer, Fang's father frowned.

Lei Yongming was nearing retirement, so he rarely attended such banquets. Although he had sent out invitations, he hadn't expected Lei Yongming to show up.

He hadn't come before, so why did he suddenly appear?

Seeing the newcomer, Tang Jun's lips curled into a slightly "strange" smile.

Seeing Lei Yongming arrive, Madam Liu didn't dare to be negligent and quickly said, "Lord Lei, what brings you here?"

"Nothing much..."

Lei Yongming chuckled, walked to Tang Jun's side, and patted him on the shoulder.

“Tang Jun is a young friend of mine. He asked me to act as a matchmaker, but I’ve been so busy with official duties and getting on in years that I only just remembered. I really feel bad for him.”

“You’re too kind.”

Tang Jun replied respectfully, “I’m already honored that you agreed.”

“Hehe…”

Lei Yongming chuckled, “A hero like you deserves this treatment. By the way, your old friends are here too. Perfect opportunity for you to catch up!”

Tap tap tap…

As Lei Yongming finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps sounded.

Immediately afterwards, a group of people in military uniforms walked in slowly. Their faces were serious, and they exuded an air of unyielding authority.

They all walked up to Tang Jun and bowed in unison.

“Captain!”

The sudden turn of events left everyone present stunned.

"Isn't this kid just a bodyguard? Is City Lord Lei his backer? And those people's uniforms...they look like they're from the capital! Could this kid really be some big shot?"

"How could he be? After all, City Lord Lei has been grooming a successor and rarely attends banquets. His personal presence proves this bodyguard is no ordinary person."

"Things seem a bit troublesome."

"Let's see what the Fang and Liu families do!"

"..."

Mother Liu naturally knew Tang Jun's identity was extraordinary. She paused slightly, but quickly recovered, smiling as she asked, "City Lord Lei, you said you'd act as matchmaker for Tang Jun, but which family are you arranging a marriage for?"

Upon hearing this, Lei Yongming first looked at Liu Ruyan, then said with a hint of admiration, "Tang Jun said he's fallen for your little girl."

"I came today and it's true! The former Third Sister Liu has an heir! This girl is truly outstanding; no wonder Tang Jun can't forget her."

Hearing Lei Yongming's words, Tang Jun's face flushed slightly.

The soldiers stared wide-eyed as if they had witnessed something unbelievable.

Fortunately, they knew this wasn't a place for lighthearted banter; otherwise, given their relationship, they would have certainly made a few jokes.

"Lord Lei..."

Madam Liu frowned slightly, her tone tinged with apology: "I'm sorry, my daughter is already engaged to the young master of the Fang family. How can a woman serve two husbands?"

"Hmm?"

Lei Yongming's smile faded.

His eyes held a hint of surprise; he hadn't expected that even after he personally vouched for her, Madam Liu would still refuse.

"Aunt Liu!"

Tang Jun knew it was time to speak.

He had now revealed his status as someone worthy of Liu Ruyan and needed to show his resolve.

“That Fang Chang is nothing but a spoiled brat. Ruyan will only suffer with him! I…”

“Shut up!”

Before Tang Jun could finish, Fang Fan shouted sharply.

He looked at Tang Jun coldly: “You’ve insulted me time and time again. What? Now that you have a backer, you think you can act with impunity?”

Lei Yongming looked at Fang Fan and said calmly, “Patriarch Fang, who is this?”

“This is my son, Fang Fan.”

“Oh.”

Hearing Fang’s father’s introduction, Lei Yongming nodded: “So this is the child you lost many years ago. Congratulations on finding your son. But now that you’ve just found him, you still need to educate him properly.”

“It’s my own son. I’ll educate him myself.”

These words shocked everyone around.

They hadn't expected Fang's father to choose to confront Lei Yongming head-on.

Would he really go to such lengths to protect his child?!

Fang Fan coldly glanced at Lei Yongming. He wasn't good with words, otherwise, he would have definitely given Lei Yongming a piece of his mind. A high-ranking official? Was he that important?

But while he might not be good with words, he had someone behind him who was!

Fang Chang stepped forward.

He had been observing Fang Fan and Tang Jun's destinies from the beginning, and upon discovering that Tang Jun's destiny was definitely inferior to Fang Fan's, his confidence instantly surged.

He walked up to Lei Yongming and said softly, "Old man, why are you glaring at me like that? Don't be so hypocritical."

"Tang Jun acted recklessly, and you said it was just youthful impetuosity, but when it comes to Fang Fan, you say you need to teach him a lesson?"

"What? You've said both good and bad things?"

"You're glaring at me?"

"The power the state gave you is for you to bully ordinary people like me? What are you doing bringing so many armed men to our private banquet?"

"Are you planning a strategy of stockpiling resources and delaying your rise to power?"

"Now you're even trying to arrange marriages between your people and wealthy families in Suzhou. Isn't that just asking for financial support? Those who know you're acting as matchmaker, those who don't... heh..."