The other five families, those who should be resting at this time, suddenly heard the news.
Very quickly.
The five families immediately awakened, as Yuchi was not making the request on behalf of the Wei Mansion.
It was in the name of the United Commerce Association.
The five families wouldn't believe Yuchi to be a reckless person.
They hurried to the Qi Family to check the situation.
In the yamen.
The County Magistrate glanced at the sleepy-eyed woman.
He got up and dressed, cursing under his breath, but obediently put on his clothes and rushed out of the yamen.
Beside him was the equally cursing advisor.
"The commerce association was just established yesterday, and now what's happening today?"
"Yuchi's ability to stir up trouble is just too strong!"
"And you, Qi Bai, can't you just behave yourself?"
"So what's the situation?"
"Who knows, let's head to the scene first!"
The information was provided by Xun Xian, sent via carrier pigeon.
After knowing about it, how could they not come?
They definitely couldn't.
...
At the Qi Family.
Qi Bai obviously didn't know the situation yet; he was talking with his second son.
"You go back to the hometown tomorrow morning to ask around, we can't stay in Xufu Town any longer," Qi Bai said with a sullen face.
"Why, hasn't Qi Yuan'Er handled the matter?" Qi Fang asked, puzzled.
"No, she's useless, didn't even manage to touch Yuchi's bed, truly as foolish as a pig," Qi Bai cursed.
"Ugh," Qi Fang sighed, "Then where is she now? I'll deal with her."
"She's your sister!" Qi Bai exclaimed, "Are you even human?"
"If I don't deal with her, we'll be disgraced by those peasants later, Father, will you come with me?" Qi Fang said casually.
He had long harbored improper thoughts about this sister of his, but never dared to act.
Now there's an opportunity.
Could he let it go?
Impossible.
Qi Bai pondered for a moment, "Fine, but I just beat her earlier, she might not be able to take more."
Putting down the cup in his hand, Qi Fang stood up, "No matter, let's just kill her; she's truly a waste, we don't count on her for anything anymore."
Qi Bai believed him.
He was about to go with his son to punish Qi Yuan'Er.
However, as soon as they stood up, the guards outside brought a panicked report.
"Master, people from the Bai Family are coming," the guard said in fear.
Qi Bai and Qi Fang were confused.
Why is the Bai Family coming?
"Should we give Qi Yuan'Er to the Bai Family instead?"
"The Bai Family has many women, what would we do if we sent her there?"
While pondering.
Another guard came in.
"Master, the Bai Family and the Li Family are at the door!"
Before they could react.
Just a breath or two.
"Master, the commerce association is here, they are all here, and so are the people from the yamen!!"
Their faces suddenly changed.
Initially seeming like they were on fire, they instantly quieted down, walking swiftly towards the outside of the mansion.
...
The moonlight was pure.
Most of the townspeople on the street were already asleep.
On the moonlit street stood roughly a hundred people quietly, with other small family spies hidden in the shadows.
Outside the Qi Family mansion, Yuchi successfully gathered with the heads of several families.
Yuchi succinctly explained the situation.
The other families all agreed.
Regardless of the process, the Qi Family's attempt to threaten the association cannot be tolerated.
The advisor understood as well.
He pulled the County Magistrate aside, unable to help but complain.
Looking at the mighty crowd.
He could only say, "Qi Bai, that brainless fool, can't he provoke someone other than the commerce association?"
"Doesn't he know that the association is lacking this kind of opportunity now?"
The County Magistrate shook his head in the dark, "You can see the reason for the Qi Family's gradual decline here."
"When the road is easy, even a child will crawl forward."
"When the road is not easy, the true nature is revealed, refusing to do good things and acting impulsively."
"Did they still think Xufu Town was a place for small families to mess around behind the scenes?"
"The world has changed, can't they see it?"
Tightening his cloak, the advisor slowly nodded, "So what do we do? Just watch?"
The County Magistrate knocked his pipe, surrounded by smoke, calmly rolling his eyes, "What else? Should we go in and fight?"
"Let's not," the advisor resolutely shook his head, "There's no need to have a conflict with the commerce association now."
"Exactly," the County Magistrate replied indifferently.
His gaze could see the small family spies hiding in the alleyways.
These spies were very much afraid, yet forced to report the scene's events to their respective families.
So they had an idea of how the Qi Family would be treated later.
If the Qi Family was fine, they would grow arrogant.
If the Qi Family got into trouble, they would restrain themselves.
That's how people are.
They don't cry until they see the coffin.
In thought, their gazes all fell on Yuchi.
Yuchi was communicating some matters seriously and quietly with others around him.
Besides the people from other families, standing next to Yuchi was a familiar stranger.
Xun Xian.
This fierce woman stood with arms crossed, continuously nodding beside him, as if she was already on the commerce association's side.
Damn!
So quickly?
The advisor and County Magistrate broke out in a cold sweat, Xun Xian's displayed resentment was even more exaggerated than that of the commerce association.
If Yuchi dealt with the Qi Family by association principles.
Then Xun Xian was "taking care" of this matter by her own attitude.
"Is she really a Patrol? Might she be a fake Patrol?"
"She should be; after all, she's been appointed by the higher-ups, so there shouldn't be any issue, right?"
"Who knows... she looks just like the association's super enforcer."
"Tsk tsk!"
"Just goes to show Yuchi, this young man's charm is immense!"
...
Changsun Mei yawned; she was so sleepy these last two days, initially sleeping soundly when the Zhangsun Family was in an uproar.
In her stupor, she finally got up to inquire.
Only then did she learn that both her father and grandfather had gone out.
And they went to the Qi Family, seemingly for something big?
At first, Changsun Mei didn't want to go, burying her head in the covers, pretending not to hear, but upon hearing that Yuchi was there too.
She hurried to freshen up, get dressed, and chose a decent-looking folding fan.
She was off in a rumbling carriage towards the Qi Family.
Finally arriving at the Qi Family, she had just jumped off the carriage.
Under the moonlight in front of her, Yuchi was already leaving with everyone from the Qi Family.
What was happening?
Ahhh, didn't see it?
Was she late?
Looking back at Yuchi's fist, his knuckles were stained with blood, clutching cloth to wipe it, with a virtuous look about him.
He was communicating some matters with his grandfather.
He spoke casually, calmly and composedly!
"Thank you all for today; the specific matters need not be detailed now."
"Additionally, tomorrow at seven o'clock, I invite you all to the house opposite the yamen, where the United Commerce Association's discussion point is set."
"Meanwhile, please bring one of your family's best seamstresses; one from each family will do."
"By afternoon, there are also other matters about the association that need discussion."