I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

"Patriarch Pei, we have different paths and cannot work together. We are both doing this for the sake of our respective families. Farewell."

After saying that, Lu Ruanxiong stood up and left.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to say to the other family heads, "Gentlemen, Pei Yunhe is only willing to marry his daughter to Qin Li, but not to us. What is he planning? I think you all know better than I, Lu Ruanxiong."

"You can stay if you want, but don't blame me for not warning you, don't let him sell you out and then help him count the money."

"But those who are willing to follow me, Lu Ruanxiong, will certainly not be treated unfairly."

Upon hearing this, the heads of two families visibly wavered, but they did not make a choice immediately.

After all, the Pei family has been the head of the six great families for so many years, and in terms of both status and strength, they are far superior to their family.

Leaving now would be tantamount to betraying the Pei family.

Lu Ruanxiong was unwilling to say anything more. Those who were willing to follow him would follow him, and there was nothing he could do about those who were not.

However, the outcome of following him today will be very different from following him in the future.

Not long after Lu Ruanxiong left, the two family heads exchanged a glance, stood up, and bowed to Pei Yunhe, saying, "Family Head Pei, please calm down. We will help you persuade Family Head Lu to change his mind."

Pei Yunhe didn't say anything, he just waved his hand.

The two family heads were secretly delighted and quickly left.

After they left, the remaining two family heads couldn't help but say, "Family Head Pei, can't you see that they're going to betray you and side with Lu Ruanxiong?"

"Exactly, all that talk about persuasion is just an excuse to leave."

Pei Yunhe said, "How could I not know what they mean? But what's the point of forcing them to stay today? Their hearts are no longer with me. It's futile to try to keep them any longer. It's better to let them leave now."

Both family heads nodded, and one asked, "Then, Family Head Pei, what should we do now?"

Pei Yunhe narrowed his eyes and said, "It seems I've fallen for their trap again."

"Did we fall for their trap?"

The two family heads spoke in unison, unsure of what Pei Yunhe meant.

Pei Yunhe said, "Qin Li's move is to incite us to fight amongst ourselves. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"

Outside, after a short while, Lu Ruanxiong saw the heads of two families come out and nodded in satisfaction.

Now that two family heads are willing to follow him, he and Pei Yunhe are essentially evenly matched in a three-on-three battle.

Given time, the Lu family will surely be able to replace the Pei family and become the head of the six great families in Jiangnan.

After the other two family heads came out, they approached Lu Ruanxiong, cupped their hands in a gesture of allegiance, and pledged their loyalty.

Lu Ruanxiong nodded and said, "Let's be frank. Pei Yunhe never thinks of us when good things happen, but I, Lu Ruanxiong, am different. I share the good times and bear the bad times alone."

Lu Ruanxiong spoke these words with great arrogance, behaving like a boss.

The other two family heads quickly said, "How can we share the good times and bear the bad alone, Patriarch Lu? No one can escape responsibility if something goes wrong. What we value is Patriarch Lu's personal charisma!"

"We believe that under your leadership, Patriarch Lu, our respective families will become better and stronger day by day."

"Of course."

Lu Ruanxiong said with great confidence.

"Then, Patriarch Lu, what should we do now?"

Someone asked.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Ruanxiong said, "Pei Yunhe married his daughter to Qin Li, why don't we follow suit? Our daughter is no less capable than Pei's."

"There's no time like the present. Qin Li is at the Yellow Crane Tower right now, let's go see him now."

"well!"

The heads of the other two families agreed.

The group immediately headed towards the Yellow Crane Tower.

……

At this moment, Qin Li was drinking tea and enjoying the view on the top floor of the Yellow Crane Tower, just like always.

Glancing at Pei Qingluan, who was having a snack-eating contest with Chun Tao across from him, Qin Li couldn't help but say, "Miss Pei, are you planning to stay hidden in the Yellow Crane Tower forever?"

Pei Qingluan's mouth was stuffed full, bulging like a hamster's, and she mumbled indistinctly, "Otherwise what? There are people everywhere outside looking for me. If I don't hide here, where else can I hide?"

After finally managing to swallow the pastry in her mouth, Pei Qingluan gulped down a bowl of water and said, "Isn't His Highness going to marry me? It'll save His Highness some trouble if I stay here with him."

Hearing these words, Qin Li shook his head slightly, took a sip of tea, and really didn't know what to say to Pei Qingluan.

After a while, Qin Li suddenly asked, "I have something to ask you."

Pei Qingluan was still sparring with Chun Tao when she had a moment to spare and asked Qin Li, "What is it? Feel free to ask."

Qin Li asked, "Do you know the Purple Star Immortal?"

These people from the capital didn't know Master Ziwei, but Pei Qingluan, a native of Jiangnan, might know something.

"Ziwei Zhenren?"

Pei Qingluan raised her eyebrows, thought carefully for a moment, and said, "It seems like I know them, but it also seems like I don't."

"What do you mean?"

Qin Li asked.

Pei Qingluan said, "It doesn't mean anything. I just feel like the name sounds familiar, but I can't remember where I've heard it before."

Qin Li said, "Master Ziwei is the leader of the Jade Maiden Sect."

"The leader of the Jade Maiden Sect?"

Pei Qingluan said, "I seem to have a vague impression of this sect. I heard that all the disciples of this sect have the Xuan Yin Body, and each of them is extremely beautiful. When they travel around the world, they are like ginseng fruits, and everyone wants to snatch one."

"Why are you asking this?" Pei Qingluan asked.

Qin Li told the truth, "The disciple of Master Ziwei brought me news that my master has been arrested."

"Who is Your Highness's master?" Qingluan asked.

Chun Tao, who was next to Pei Qingluan, answered quickly: "It's one of the three great masters of our Great Zhou, Elder Snake."

"Oh, so it was him." Pei Qingluan realized and said, "Then Your Highness's master really has been arrested. I heard from my family that there's supposed to be some kind of snake-slaying ceremony at the Dragon Tiger Gate."

"You know about this?" Qin Li asked.

Pei Qingluan said, "Of course I know. The Dragon Tiger Sect even sent an invitation to our Pei family to attend the ceremony, and my second uncle has already agreed."

"If you ask me, Your Highness, why did your master have to steal from others and even get caught?"

"Stealing?" Qin Li asked, puzzled.

"Of course," Pei Qingluan said. "Your Highness's master stole a treasure from the Dragon Tiger Sect and was caught, which is why this Snake-Slaying Ceremony is being held."

"Absolutely impossible!"

Zhou Biao, who was standing guard at the stairwell, declared righteously, "Old Snake is one of the three grandmasters, how could he possibly steal other people's things?"

Pei Qingluan couldn't help but laugh: "Why is it impossible? If he didn't steal anything, why would they arrest him?"

"Look, your prince isn't saying anything; he must have stolen it."

Zhou Biao looked at Qin Li, hoping that Qin Li would step forward and say something.

Qin Li remained silent, simply drinking his tea.

Based on his understanding of Snake Elder, Snake Elder might actually steal other people's things.

After all, Snake Elder has the strength of a Grandmaster, but not the character of one, and is no match for the other two Grandmasters.

"Your Highness, did Old Snake really steal someone's things?"

Zhou Biao asked incredulously.

Qin Li replied, "How can taking something from one's own home be considered stealing? I am the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou, and he is my master. Old Master Snake may take anything within the territory of the Great Zhou."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Biao puffed out his chest: "Your Highness is right!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingluan could hardly bear to look at the master and servant.

Stealing and still acting like it's okay? Qin Li actually defended him, he really is no good.

Just as she was about to speak, a guard came running up to the top floor to report: "Your Highness, Lu Ruanxiong, the head of the Lu family, has come to visit you along with the heads of the other two families."

The group got up and walked to the railing. Looking down, they saw several well-dressed and very wealthy people at the entrance of the Yellow Crane Tower.

"Oh, it really is Lu Ruanxiong, the head of the Lu family."

Pei Qingluan said, hugging her arms.

Over the years, Lu Ruanxiong has frequently visited Jiangxia. She has met him and they have a good relationship.

Because the two have similar personalities, such as being very free-spirited and unrestrained.

Lu Ruanxiong wanted to recognize her as his goddaughter, but Pei Qingluan did not agree.

"Your Highness, shall we see him or not?"

The guard inquired.

Qin Li said, "Why wouldn't I see you?"

"Yes."

The guard bowed and withdrew.

Soon after, Lu Ruanxiong and the heads of the other two families ascended to the top floor...