Chapter 1712: Chapter 1712

Seeing Song Zude arrive, the crowd knew this old fox was definitely up to no good, especially since he brought people with an aggressive aura. When he reached them, made that move, and said those words, there was no turning back. Li Yifei harbored no goodwill towards the Song Family; past events left nothing but bad memories. However, the Li family’s current actions were too significant, having swallowed the Sunx and Lin families. The Li family needed time to digest this. Additionally, since the Song Family had truly been behaving lately, the Li family decided that if the Song Family continued this way, they could be spared.

Although this was not quite the original intention, both the provincial and central authorities preferred the Li family not to overstep. Even as things stood, the Li family already reigned supreme. If they devoured the Song Family too, no family in the entire province would be able to challenge them. Even if the remaining families united, they might still fall short.

The approval from above and the Li family’s own assessment led them to temporarily let the Song Family be, allowing them to remain safe up to now.

But... since Song Zude came knocking, Li Yifei had to reconsider.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence also applied to the Li family and other families—everyone benefits equally and coexists peacefully. Otherwise, why would Li Yifei lower himself today? After all, he had every reason to be proud.

Wang Chunlai was the first to speak. He had long been at odds with the Song Family, so upon seeing Song Zude’s demeanor, he acted as the Li family’s vanguard, saying, "Old Song Dog, eat if you want, no one invited you. Why run out here instead of waiting to die at home?"

These words carried weight, especially since Song Zude had never been called ’Old Song Dog’ to his face. The veins in his face bulged instantly, and his cheeks clenched tight. However, seconds later, Song Zude’s muscles relaxed. He glanced at Wang Chunlai and said coldly, "Wang Chunlai, you’re older than me, so if anyone’s dying first, it’s you. You’re not dead at home, why should I die? Also, is the Wang Family so powerful now? Do you have such a high voice? Here, others haven’t spoken, and yet you, the old immortal, speak first?"

Once, the Eight Great Clans were not amicable to each other, but they maintained some civility when gathered, never going overboard. Of course, back then, someone like Wang Chunlai wouldn’t speak to Song Zude that way.

Wang Chunlai felt himself beyond reproach in his old age. Besides, someone needed to speak up now. He didn’t care about saving face, but focused on helping his descendants cling to the Ye and Li families. He had to be the bad guy because no one else would say such things.

Wang Chunlai’s eyebrows twitched at the words, but he didn’t seem particularly angry, saying, "Old but healthy. You’re young but already halfway in the grave."

Song Zude was, of course, angry, but he hadn’t come to argue with Wang Chunlai today. Even if he wanted to argue, Wang Chunlai wasn’t his choice. Ignoring Wang Chunlai, Song Zude directly pulled out a chair and sat down, as if these people didn’t exist. Not only him, but the two people behind him also sat down on either side, almost like it was their own home. The one with the underbite took a clean glass, poured a glass of wine, took a sip, and sneered, "Is this kind of lousy wine how you treat guests? These northern barbarians really are poor and stingy to the extreme."

This wasn’t expensive wine; it was pure grain wine made by the Ye family’s own winery. If sold, it would fetch around a hundred per pound, not cheap but not pricey. The important thing was its good taste without side effects, which was why it was used to entertain guests today.

Using kebabs for entertainment, a few cups of pure grain liquor wouldn’t hurt.

The underbite’s sneers were ignored by Old Master Ye.

Wang Chunlai sat down with a stern face, pulling out a chair, while Li Yifei beckoned a servant standing by to attend to the crowd, saying, "Come, get some utensils for these three."

The servant went to fulfill the order. Li Yifei first pulled out a chair for Old Master Ye to sit down, then sat himself, looking at Song Zude across the table and saying, "Clan Chief Song, a guest is a guest. There are plenty of skewers today; if you don’t like them, you can eat something else." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⁂𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⁂𝓷𝓮𝓽

Before Li Yifei finished, Song Zude interrupted coldly, "I didn’t come here to eat."

Li Yifei’s hand paused halfway, eyes narrowing slightly at the words, before he took a fragrant skewer and began to eat slowly.

Most of the crowd’s attention was on them from a distance. They lacked interest in drinking, chatting, or continuing to eat, watching to see what the family heads were up to.

It didn’t take a genius to see Song Zude came with bad intentions, knowing there would be news today. The saying goes, ’A centipede doesn’t topple easily,’ and même shrunken, the Song Family was once the top clan.

Today, there’s sure to be a show. Some people exchanged covert glances with close friends, signaling not to miss the spectacle. Others showed disdain or contempt, thinking those who abandoned allies in crucial moments were nothing to gloat about. Even if they found a way to contend with the Li family again, would they risk their necks to this extent?

Ye Yunzhu exchanged a look with Xu Yingying, seemingly asking what to do. Xu Yingying shook her head lightly, indicating no need to intervene, assuring that Li Yifei would handle it. Not to mention one Song Zude, even a few more could be easily managed by Li Yifei.

Thus, besides Li Yifei, the two stunning wives remained the calmest in the venue.

Other noblewomen discreetly observed the two’s reactions. Seeing them chatting and laughing as if oblivious to the situation, many were secretly amazed, thinking the Li family’s composure was indeed extraordinary.

Meanwhile, eating his skewer, Li Yifei truly felt no fear of Song Zude. Not just Wang Chunlai, but neither the Hu Family, Chu Family, nor Zheng Family feared Song Zude. While it wasn’t directly related, Song Zude’s troubles affected Li Yifei and the Ye family. They ate, drank, and wouldn’t be manipulated by Song Zude.

Song Zude felt somewhat restless; he lightly tapped his fingers on the table, trying to draw attention, but the onlookers simply gave him a vacant glance without responding.

Finally impatient, Song Zude’s companion couldn’t resist placing his wine glass on the table with a clank. Song Zude gave a tug beneath the table, then raised his voice and said, "I heard you’re ranking family positions? What, has it started?"