Chapter 457: Leaving You Speechless
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Helian Wei Wei did not even look at Su Yan Mo's eyes. With a sweep of her robe and a swing in her step, she sat down on the main seat.
Looked down upon the stewards below, she took a deep breath.
For seven years, she had not even had the right to enter the family Clan Meeting.
Seven years later, she finally reclaimed the seat which originally belonged to her grandfather!
Helian Wei Wei narrowed her eyes. It seemed like this was the only way that she was able to get a grip on the emotions surging through her blood.
Calm down.
This was nothing.
The show was just about to start.
Helian Wei Wei smiled, signaling the start of the meeting.
The stewards glanced at each other before a more experienced steward spoke up in a low, aged voice, "Since this Clan Meeting is distinct from the ones before, we shall not waste any more time. A Clan Meeting notice was announced half a month ago and as made known, although the Helian Clan remained prosperous after the passing of the Old Master, the Clan is no longer held in high regard as we were before. The clansmen cannot be united with just a substitute patriarch, so we must choose a legitimate patriarch. Now, there are ten candidates who attend this meeting and one of them will become the patriarch tonight. Assuming that everyone already has their preferred candidate, let us now begin voting by a show of hands to come to a decision fairly."
The steward spoke of 10 candidates.
However, those who truly understood the nuances of the situation knew that in reality, this was but a showdown between Helian Guang Yao and Helian Wei Wei who were both of the direct lineage and bloodline.
For seven years, Helian Guang Yao who was just a son-in-law had held all the power in the Helian Clan.
Helian Wei Wei had been completely useless in the past and had not even been worth mentioning, so naturally, Helian Guang Yao took up her birthright.
Indeed, the Helian Clan was built up single-handedly by the Old Master.
If it had not been for Old Master Helian's military accomplishments during the war, the Helian Clan would not have blossomed into the family they were today.
However, Helian Guang Yao was not going to let go of all the power he had held close to him for so many years easily.
Now that Helian Wei Wei wanted to reclaim her rights to the Clan, not only did Helian Guang Yao's consent to handing over the power pose a problem, she also needed to deal with the problem of affirmation from the stewards who stood behind Helian Guang Yao.
Since the beginning, they had betrayed Old Master Helian's will in following Helian Guang Yao and had received many benefits for it in return all these years.
If Helian Wei Wei reclaimed her position in the Clan, not only would their acceptance of benefits be made known, even the fact that they had betrayed the Old Master would come to Helian Wei Wei's knowledge.
In other words, it was not going to be an easy fight for Helian Wei Wei to get back what was rightfully hers.
Many of them did not have high hopes for Helian Wei Wei's result and merely looked at each other as they shook their heads.
Helian Wei Wei calmly drank her tea as if everything that was happening around her had nothing to do with her.
None of the first eight candidates received a single vote.
After seeing the stewards acting according to his plan, Helian Guang Yao's eyes gleamed brightly from the side in which he had been chased off.
This was exactly how it has to be.
She needs to see clearly who will be the one inheriting the Helian legacy!
"Next, Helian Wei Wei." A ripple of murmurs and whispers spread across the crowd and it went rowdy again as soon as Steward Zhang mentioned Helian Wei Wei's name.
Helian Wei Wei stood up assuredly, her long robe smoothing out effortlessly and her sleeves fluttering exquisitely, "As I've said before, seven years ago, I was too young and inexperienced to understand that I was being used. Moreover, I was poisoned, so it is entirely understandable that my actions were nothing short of disappointing to everyone. However, now that I'm healed, I will ensure that the entire Divine Mainland respects the Helian Clan. They will never dare to cross us again!"
Her words left the audience below in shock in the knowledge that this had been the Old Master's greatest ambition when he was still alive.
Other than the Old Master himself, no one else had ever had the courage to make such a promise.
Is it because of the fact that she is his directly descended granddaughter?
As the audience mulled over the thought, Helian Guang Yao suddenly started to laugh coldly without a hint of warmth, he taunted flatly, "Wei Wei, some things require more than just promises. You were never involved with handling anything in the Clan, so how much do you even know about the Clan? A great patriarch doesn't just solve things with passion and a hothead." Helian Guang Yao did not give Helian Wei Wei any chance to speak up as he turned his head toward Steward Zhang and said, "Okay, continue with the voting."
Steward Zhang nodded as he made eye contact with Helian Guang Yao and raised his hand to signal the stewards to continue voting. historical
Seeing this, Su Yan Mo felt a rush of vindication as she sipped her tea. That little bit*h probably doesn't know it yet, but the stewards were already bribed from the start.
Aside from Steward Zhang being in their confidence, a few of the other stewards were also receiving benefits from them and had been waiting to force Helian Wei Wei off the seat ever since the Clan Meeting had begun.
However, there was still one old geezer who they could not settle.
Yet, it was just that one, the ratio was still nine to one and it was clear who the victor would be.
As Su Yan Mo put her teacup down, her gaze turned to Helian Wei Wei, waiting to watch the drama unfold.
"Come, the stewards will now vote." Just as Steward Zhang finished speaking, none of the stewards present but Old Man Zhong raised his hand. As such, he considered this round of voting negligible and smilingly said, "Since no one voted, then we'll..."
Whoosh!
A sudden whooshing noise disrupted his voice!
Steward Zhang paused in disbelief as he watched the other stewards raised their hands one by one and subconsciously shifted his eyes toward Helian Guang Yao.
Helian Guang Yao froze on the spot and his eyes widened instantly as if he suddenly remembered something. His face was firstly filled with shock, then it changed into an unquenchable rage!
Even Su Yan Mo could hardly contain herself!
How could this be possible?
Why could they vote for Helian Wei Wei?
"You, you all..." Helian Guang Yao could not finish his sentence as he puffed in anger like he was trying very hard to control his emotions.
One of the stewards said pleasantly, "Don't be like that, Brother Guang Yao. At times like this, we follow whoever that pays us more silver."
Helian Guang Yao's face darkened upon hearing him, but he knew that anger would do him no good. He turned to Helian Wei Wei and said, "It seems that I underestimated your methods."
"Mr. Guang Yao, you seem to have forgotten that you were the one who started it, I just added some silver on your basic plan because I thought it was a good plan." Helian Wei Wei sat on the seat nonchalantly, leaning her head on her palms as she raised her eyebrows at Helian Guang Yao. "I left Steward Zhang alone since he's your confidante, but the rest of them voted out of their own free wills. Nine to one, this must have been your plan from the start, but alas, I got the nine, and you have the one!"
Chapter 458: Appearance Of The Hidden Army!
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Following Helian Wei Wei's last sentence, Helian Guang Yao's normally proud face expressed never-before-seen anxiety and insecurity.
Su Yan Mo panicked as well, rushing over to Helian Guang Yao as if to ask him what they had to do now.
Helian Wei Wei watched the two in front of her. Once upon a time, she too had been kicked out of the Clan just like that.
She was forced to leave and forced to give up everything she had. Additionally, she had been left with all the pain, hatred and regret her mother left her just before she died. All of this had contributed to the cold gleam that arose in Helian Wei Wei's eyes.
"Steward Zhang, did you turn mute? Do you not know how to announce the results?"
The pressurized aura that Helian Wei Wei exerted when she was displeased was on par with that of Baili Jia Jue's.
Steward Zhang trembled in fear as he stuttered, "I declare..."
"Wait!" Helian Guang Yao interrupted Steward Zhang as he spoke coldly, "Originally, I didn't want to announce this matter so quickly, but do you stewards remember how the Old Master said before his death, that if anyone were to win over the hidden army's support, a single vote from them would be equivalent to ten votes?"
The stewards did not speak, because as soon as they heard the mention of the hidden army, they could only inhale sharply.
Everyone present knew that the hidden army had already vanished for 10 years.
For a decade, they had tried every method conceivable to locate the hidden army but to no avail.
Even if there was news about them from time to time, the information would usually turn out to be useless.
From the beginning itself, the hidden army had only followed the Old Master and only him alone!
"Guang Yao, you...you mentioned the hidden army, is it...is it because you know where they are?" One of the stewards stood up excitedly as he could not control his emotions.
Helian Guang Yao lifted up his chin, revealing a hint of a smile. "Of course, truth to be told, I've been exchanging letters with the current general of the hidden army these past few days. He's in attendance at this meeting as well, among the audience below."
"Really?!" The rest of the stewards began whispering to one another.
Helian Guang Yao laughed once again, "I have no reason to lie to any of you. For the greater development of the Helian Clan, finding the hidden army was crucial. So all this time, I've been working hard to locate the hidden army, but it seems like someone took advantage of me being preoccupied."
Everyone knew who that someone was.
The stewards glanced hesitantly toward Helian Wei Wei and lowered their voices, "Princess Consort, according to the Old Master's instructions before he died, the hidden army is indeed more important, so this... the patriarch's seat, how about you just..."
"The hidden army isn't even here yet, and here you are, Steward Xu, asking me to give up so soon?" Helian Wei Wei chuckled as she leaned back and crossed her legs, unable to contain her playful attitude. She then said flatly, "Let's wait till Helian Guang Yao requests for the hidden army soldier to appear before we do anything, shall we?"
Su Yan Mo sneered. This little b*tch just would not give up! historical
Without wasting any more of his breath, Helian Guang Yao shouted toward the crowd, "General Chi, are you there?"
"Yes."
Among the crowd, Chi Yan stood there, clothed in full black and emerged slowly from the crowd.
Perhaps, his appearance was just too charming.
Just as he revealed himself, all the girls present could not help but look at him almost instantly.
They gazed at his calm, collected and gallant aura.
There was only one phrase that came to mind.
A peerless man would be none other than him.
Upon seeing Chi Yan's face, there were older stewards who recalled something, "You... you're the Retired Emperor's... Master... Master Chi!"
Master Chi, the only heir of the Chi family.
Untouched by royal blessing, refusal of imperial powers.
It had been thought that the Chi family had hidden away in reclusion. It was surprising to see that he had become the general of the hidden army.
The steward only felt confused, but then again, this was probably how it should be.
The Old Master had once saved Chi Yan's life and this boy was most probably paying his debts.
With such a person as the hidden army's general, it was highly likely that the hidden army currently had become more powerful than it was before.
Upon this realization, the stewards could not control their excitement.
Yet, not one of them noticed that Helian Wei Wei had not been fazed at all since the beginning of this commotion, her lazy, laid back position had not changed this whole time.
Behind Chi Yan was another two commanders. When one of them saw Helian Wei Wei, he almost greeted her by virtue of habit.
The other one quickly grabbed him and scolded softly, "Da Xiong."
Chi Yan knew what had happened without even looking. It had to be the thoughtless Da Xiong who must have lost his cool again once he saw Helian Wei Wei.
Chi Yan seemed helpless at the situation and merely frowned, but no other feelings were expressed.
Helian Guang Yao hurriedly greeted them with a smile although he wondered why there were three people. In his letter, he clearly wrote that only General Chi Yan's attendance was necessary.
Even so, Helian Guang Yao was very pleased to see the others from the hidden army. With this, he would be the rightful heir and that little b*tch could not do anything about it!
With that idea in mind, Helian Guang Yao could not help but express his glee as he looked at Helian Wei Wei with an expression that screamed, "Hand over the seat to me instantly," he spoke coldly. "You should be convinced of your loss by now."
"Convinced?" Helian Wei Wei uncrossed and crossed her legs again, her smile unwavering. "I forgot to mention, I prepared a grand gift for you and Madam Su for the Clan Meeting. I'll show you now, this part of the gift should be just right for you." With that, she signaled one of the guards beside her with her eyes.
The guard hastily handed a letter to her.
Helian Wei Wei took the letter and glanced through the content before pointing at it with her slim finger and laughed at it. "The handwriting seems nice, but the content is simply too tedious. The reader would only think of the writer as being overly fake, and would simply just reply in a few sentences for the sake of it. Ho ho, come, show these letters to Mr. Guang Yao."
Helian Wei Wei left her words hanging in the air as the guard handed over the letters to Helian Guang Yao.
Initially, Helian Guang Yao intended to throw it away immediately, but the handwriting on the letter was unbelievably familiar!
This... this was his own writing!
What the hell was going on!
Helian Guang Yao snatched over the letters and went through them roughly as his dark eyes began flitting aggressively.
These were...
These were the letters he wrote to the hidden army?!
How did she get ahold of them?
Helian Guang Yao looked up suddenly, staring intently at Helian Wei Wei.
Helian Wei Wei simply smiled, not even bothering to look at him. Instead, she curled her finger toward Chi Yan who stood a distance away, motioning for him to come forward as she said lazily, "Come here..."
Chapter 459: The Hidden Army Recognized Their Master!
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
"Yes." Chi Yan's tone was faint yet laced with a hint of playfulness as he walked toward Helian Wei Wei. Subsequently, with darkened eyes, he spoke again in a low voice, "Young Master."
The final two words that came out of his mouth made Helian Guan Yao suddenly realize something. As his hands clenched the stack of letters in his hands, he looked toward Chi Yan!
Impossible!
This was absolutely impossible!
The audience who stood further away could not hear the conversation clearly and had no idea of what was going on above.
However, they were confused. Was the hidden army not summoned by Helian Guang Yao? Why did the general run off to the Princess Consort's side?
"What's going on?"
"I have no idea, maybe there's a turn of events?" historical
Murmurs rippled across the crowd once again.
Helian Guang Yao felt faint and dared not think about his realization.
Meanwhile, Da Xiong could not hold back anymore. Now that he saw Helian Wei Wei summon Chi Yan, he knelt down on one knee without hesitation. With a collective thud, the rest of the hidden army who was standing among the crowd had moved as well. The grandeur of the scene was magnificent, to say the least.
Helian Wei Wei stood up while smiling slightly. "Helian Guang Yao, what right did you have in thinking that you could command my hidden army? With those measly letters? Da Xiong, tell him, what was your purpose of coming here?"
"To aid the Young Master, of course!" His voice rang loud and clear!
As he shouted out the answer, the crowd went into an uproar.
"What did he just call the Princess Consort? Young...Young Master?"
"No way! Unless the hidden army already found their master?!"
"That's impossible, the hidden army was gone for so long, the Princess Consort couldn't have found them right?"
"It's not totally impossible, just look at those men!"
The crowd turned to see that there were 18 men all clad in black robes, including some of the guards who had stood behind Helian Wei Wei just now. All of them had different stances and were not very handsome, but they gave off a lethal aura that suffocated the crowd!
"They really... really found their master?"
The stewards were stunned in astonishment as they murmured to themselves in disbelief and their teacups fell from their hands!
However, Su Yan Mo could not believe this. She could not believe that the hidden army had already found their master!
Two days ago, they were still exchanging letters.
How was it remotely possible that they could have recognized that little b*tch as their master!
Lies!
These were all lies!
"Old Master, tell them quickly! Tell them who is the hidden army's true master!" Su Yan Mo pulled on Helian Guang Yao's sleeves, her shriek pierced the air like a sharp blade!
Her mind was so filled with the thought of Helian Wei Wei humiliating herself that she did not even realize that color had drained from Helian Guang Yao's face.
However, once she saw the letters in his hands, Su Yan Mo finally figured it out and her eyes were filled with shock and confusion as she murmured with shaking lips, "Was she the one who replied to our letters all along? Did she get to the hidden army before we did? How could this be? But these letters, this handwriting! Old Master, say something! What on earth is going on?"
Helian Guang Yao could only hear buzzing in the background as his whole body stiffened. He felt faint and he suddenly could not breathe properly while his arms trembled and he almost lost his balance.
"Old Master!" Su Yan Mo shouted in panic, fumbling to support his body.
Only with her actions was Helian Guang Yao's dignity saved. He pressed onto his temples as if he was waiting for nausea to pass.
Seeing him like this, Su Yan Mo could no longer take it anymore and raised her eyes toward Helian Wei Wei with a lecturing tone, "Wei Wei, no matter how immature you are, you should remember that he is your father! I know that you've hated me for all these years, which is why you punish your father like this, and I don't care how you treat me, but why do you intentionally spite your father like this? One with great power is nothing without filial piety!"
Su Yan Mo's expression was one of righteousness and justice as if she would take on all the hardship regardless of the results. Helian Wei Wei was just a little b*tch who would harm even her own father. No matter how powerful and clever she was, she would still be trash to society!
Naturally, her words caused another ripple of disturbance. After all, they were in an ancient era.
During ancient times, filial piety was the top priority.
Is Su Yan Mo trying to cause a commotion to stop her from getting the seat?
Helian Wei Wei's eyes chilled as a smile streaked across her pretty face. "Filial piety? That depends if he was even worthy of my effort to do so!" She pointed ferociously at Helian Guang Yao. "Seven years ago, when my mother was injured and bed-ridden, what did this b*stard do? Not only did he find himself another woman behind my mother's back, he even married that woman. So if you can lecture me, then let me ask you something. My mother was wise and just, what did she do wrong? If he didn't want to stay in the Helian family, he could have just packed up and left! But because of his insatiable greed, he poisoned my mother so he could rule the Helian Clan! Helian Guang Yao owed his life to both my grandfather and my mother. That b*stard is less than a man. My grandfather would never have known that in saving a life, he would breed such a thief with no morals!"
"You, you, you..." Helian Guang Yao was so angry at Helian Wei Wei's words that he began stuttering.
Upon learning this ground-shaking secret, the stewards looked toward Helian Guang Yao and Su Yan Mo in shock and astonishment!
Su Yan Mo was unafraid. When they took action, there had only been herself and Helian Guang Yao, who could prove that it was them who had killed her?
"Wei Wei, you can't tarnish your father's name just to make excuses for yourself!" Su Yan Mo had her own plans. No matter what, she would get through this public event, albeit only on the surface.
Smart as she was, Helian Wei Wei naturally knew that Su Yan Mo was trying to defend herself. Thus, she laughed as she stepped forward, looking sideways as she whispered softly by Su Yan Mo's ear, "Madam Su, why are you so quick to draw your conclusion? My second gift hasn't even arrived yet."
As she finished speaking, a petite and beautiful figure rushed in from the outside to hug Helian Guang Yao, raising her head pitifully as her small face shone with tears. "Guang Yao, are you alright?"
Helian Guang Yao had not expected Lan Lian to come here and subconsciously tried to push her away. After all, they were in public and such intimate acts were not appropriate, but seeing the concern in her eyes, he felt touched and patted her back gently. He let out a long sigh, her small face could always bring out his gentleness...
"Who is she?!!" Su Yan Mo's voice rang out by his ears, so sharp that it almost revealed all of her evilness, "Guang Yao, explain yourself, who is she?"
She had never expected to see her husband holding another woman in his arms at a time like this!