Chapter Thirteen: The Favored Daughter of Heaven

“Why are you yelling at your brother-in-law? Are you stupid? For the sake of some irrelevant fool, you shout at your own family. Can’t you see this useless person is deliberately causing trouble to embarrass us?” Suddenly, Chu Yaoyu turned to look at Chu Imperial Consort: “Consort, whatever happens, we are still a family. Surely you wouldn’t just stand by and watch us be ruined by this useless man?”

In front of so many people, Chu Yaoyu’s words gave Chu Imperial Consort plenty of face. She glanced at Chu Biyue, who was deeply ashamed.

At once, Chu Imperial Consort’s vanity was greatly satisfied. This scene played out almost exactly as she had envisioned, and Chu Biyue was now completely crushed beneath her feet.

Yet Chu Imperial Consort maintained her composure, acting as if she didn’t want to give Chu Yaoyu any face at all.

At that moment, a deep, aged voice suddenly arose from the crowd: “I apologize. My grandson-in-law is of humble birth, ignorant and useless, and he has offended President Fang. But he is still part of our Chu family. Perhaps, President Fang, you could let him off just this once. Consort, if your sister Yaoyu’s reputation is not enough, surely adding your grandfather’s old face to it makes it sufficient?”

Nearly eighty and somewhat stout, the old master Chu Peng had somehow appeared behind the crowd, now wheeled forward to face Chu Imperial Consort, his expression stern as he spoke.

“Grandfather!” Chu Imperial Consort stamped her foot coquettishly. “That’s not what I meant.”

She then knelt beside him and said in a petulant tone, “Grandfather, this matter is obviously caused by Second Sister and her husband, jealous of us and Ling Zheng. Why are you siding with them?”

“Enough! I know what’s going on. We’ll discuss it behind closed doors later. For now, will you listen to your grandfather or not? Well, you’re something now, aren’t you? A wealthy figure of Jiangzhou, married into a top-tier family and no longer regard your own grandfather. If that’s the case, I won’t force you.” The old man finished and gave his second son, Chu Yang, a fierce glare.

The latter licked his lips but dared not speak.

“No.” Chu Imperial Consort quickly stood and said to Ling Zheng, “What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear grandfather? Even if others are worthless, we must repay kindness with kindness. That’s the Chu family tradition.” With these words, she also gave Chu Peng some credit, showing he was still vigorous and capable in managing the family, which made Chu Peng secretly pleased.

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Ling Zheng immediately walked over, towering above Fang Jingmei, and said coolly, “Since my wife has spoken, President Fang, I know today our Chu family behaved improperly, but this is our family’s place. You shouldn’t make trouble here. Don’t bother with a mere servant—let’s call it even.”

After all, his own father was now the wealthiest man in Dubai, and Fang Jingmei was at most someone who flattered the old master. Ling Zheng naturally spoke with authority.

This was not pleading—it was commanding!

And Fang Jingmei, the mighty owner of the three major business chambers, actually nodded submissively in agreement.

Everyone present reassessed Ling Zheng's influence, and their gaze grew even more admiring.

Ling Zheng had never received such respect and honor in his life. He was elated. Many in his family had once looked down on him, saying he was hopeless, his business insignificant. But now, who was truly favored by fate? Who was the real chosen one? The answer was plain to see.

Many of Ling Zheng’s friends were here today, most of them second-generation heirs of local third-tier families who rarely interacted with true elites. Now, seeing Ling Zheng suddenly become someone whom Jiangqin, the old master, and the three business chambers all sought to please, their expressions grew complicated.

Jealousy, envy, hatred, fear, and obsequiousness—all these emotions flickered in their eyes, so unlike before.

Then, nearby, stood the much-maligned, scorned son-in-law, whose situation was worlds apart from Ling Zheng. Sensing this contrast, Ling Zheng felt a surge of pride and laughed aloud, filled with soaring ambition, as if the whole world lay in his hands. Truly, what more could one desire in life?

With her husband shining, Chu Imperial Consort naturally felt proud. She whispered to the old master, “How about it, grandfather? Your grandson-in-law has brought you honor—even Fang Jingmei doesn’t dare say a word.”

Though the old master kept a stern face, his eyes betrayed unconcealed delight, his posture straightening with pride, as if the Chu family had already become the foremost clan of Jiangdong.

Of course, who wouldn’t stand tall with such a flamboyant grandson-in-law?

The old master’s joy and confidence stemmed from another source. Years ago, a Daoist had foretold that among his descendants, a daughter of fate would arise, whose husband’s status would bring her glory, and the Chu family would become a genuine power because of her.

Now, it seemed certain that his granddaughter, Chu Imperial Consort, was that daughter of fate, and her husband must be Ling Zheng.

“Brave and wise, poised and magnanimous, straightforward and commanding—truly, the makings of a great leader. My Ling Zheng is indeed exceptional. Given time, he will achieve greatness. The Chu family is blessed!” The old master clapped his wheelchair’s armrests in praise and said to everyone, “It’s a pity he’s not in the military. With his talent, he might have a chance to meet the War Sovereign… That would be the highest honor.”

“Grandfather, you exaggerate. The War Sovereign is practically a legend—meeting him is not so simple!” Chu Imperial Consort acted modest, but inwardly she was soaring.

It was said the War Sovereign was only about fifty, still young…

“Security, come here. Escort my second brother-in-law out.” Ling Zheng turned to Ling Feng and said, “Don’t blame me, but I have to give President Fang an explanation.”

“Mr. Ling is right. Since you’ve spoken, that’s the end of it,” Fang Jingmei nodded repeatedly, her tone respectful. Just moments ago, her anxiety had been at its peak.

But then Ling Feng suddenly sneered, “President Fang, don’t be so magnanimous yet. You may be over it, but I’m not. Let me ask you again, does our bet still stand?”

Fang Jingmei was dumbfounded.

What kind of fool was this? Truly astonishing.

Perhaps he wanted to die after being bullied by his wife’s family.

“Damn, has his head been kicked by a donkey? Doesn’t he know what death means?”

Everyone looked at Ling Feng as if he were a fool.

Ling Zheng grew angry, shouting to Fang Jingmei, “If that’s the case, President Fang, I won’t interfere. Deal with him as you see fit.”

“Drag him out and bury him,” Fang Jingmei said, an involuntary sigh escaping her, then gritted her teeth.

At that moment, Chu Biyue’s delicate body trembled, and she slapped Ling Feng hard across the face. “You idiot!”

“These people are not to be trifled with.”

“How am I supposed to save you now?” She shakily took out her phone to call her classmate Yuan Dongyang. No matter what, she had to save Ling Feng’s life first; everything else could wait.

Is there anyone I can’t provoke?

A common man’s rage leads to blood within five steps; a War Sovereign’s wrath leaves corpses over a thousand miles.

Ling Feng wanted to tell Chu Biyue that there was no one in this world he couldn’t confront, and that she could rely on him to live any life she desired. But in that moment, he saw tears glimmering on her lovely face, disappointment filling her large eyes, her whole body trembling.

He was stunned.

So, she truly did care about me!

Just then, from the villa’s entrance, a loud voice rang out:

“Jiangzhou’s Jiang Qin!”

“Jiangzhou’s Chen Heibai!”

“Jiangzhou’s Sun Fu!”

“Jiangzhou’s Huo Du!”

“We request an audience with Mr. Ling!”

The four titans of Jiangzhou arrived together, their voices seeking an audience so powerful that everyone present was shaken, the silence so deep you could hear a pin drop. Many even forgot how satisfying it was to bully Ling Feng just moments ago. Some wondered if their ears were playing tricks.

The four giants.

Any one of them could destroy Jiangzhou, and now all four had come together.

It was simply terrifying.

While everyone was dumbfounded, Liu Xiangyun was the first to react. She pushed the stunned Ling Zheng, both excited and nervous: “They—they’re looking for you, the four giants! Ling Zheng, should we go out and greet them?”

Now that her son-in-law had such influence, even with the four top titans of Jiangzhou arriving, Liu Xiangyun was uncertain whether to go out and welcome them. She’d never mingled in elite circles and couldn’t guess how high her miraculous son-in-law’s status truly was.

My guess was right, Ling Zheng thought. The old master must have concealed his wealth—just how rich is he? But even if he had hidden his fortune, would the four giants of Jiangzhou need to ‘request an audience’?

Each of these four had assets exceeding ten billion, and Chen Heibai was even more unfathomable. For them to show such respect to the old master, his business must be extraordinary.

Ling Zheng was secretly delighted at the thought.

“Don’t rush!”

Ling Zheng hesitated. Logically, since his father was so formidable, he shouldn’t let him down. Yet these four were terrifying giants.

But then he thought, to hell with it.

What of the four giants of Jiangzhou? If they came to ‘request an audience’ with him, his father must at least be their equal, perhaps even superior. If they were here to curry favor, and he gave them too much face, how could he command respect in the future?