Chapter 163 - 98: Proclaiming Oneself Emperor

Chapter 163: Chapter 98: Proclaiming Oneself Emperor

The guests around the entrance, who had been whispering and gossiping, fell silent the moment they heard the name "Lu Yun."

A commotion followed, and then most of them began scrambling to push their way forward.

A middle-aged man in a silk long-gown with a potbelly practically tumbled and crawled his way to the front, stopping before Lu Yun.

He cupped his fists, bowed, and plastered a sycophantic smile on his face. "Advisor Lu! A pleasure to meet you, Advisor Lu!"

"I am Zhou Bingheng of the Yu Pingchang Warehouse! I have long admired your great name, sir. To meet you today is the honor of a lifetime! Truly, the honor of a lifetime!"

The words had barely left his mouth when another man, tall and lanky, pushed his way over. He wore a crisp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, and said eagerly, "Advisor Lu, a pleasure! I am Lin Ziqian of Hengsheng Bank! I am a business partner of Boss He, and an old friend of many years!"

Immediately after, an old man in a suit also squeezed through, his face wreathed in smiles. "Advisor Lu, a pleasure. I am Zhao Wenbin of the Tongyuan Steamship Company!"

Everyone scrambled to announce their names, hoping to make an impression on a great personage like Lu Yun.

Even a single glance would be worth it. After all, this was a man the great President in Yanjing would personally toast, and he was also the future Military Governor of Yun Port City.

He Xin Town stood to the side, his heart blooming with joy as he watched the scene unfold.

At that moment, He Xin Town had already decided in his heart that Lu Nianshu would be the future matriarch of the He Family.

No one could change it. No one would be allowed to.

After all, as long as Lu Nianshu was the matriarch of the He Family, it meant that the great mountain that was Lu Yun would always watch over them.

Lu Yun walked a few steps forward, leaning on his cane, with He Xin Town and Lu Sheng flanking him on his left and right.

After stopping, his gaze fell on the young man before him, who was dressed in a suit with a red flower pinned to his chest.

"You must be He Zhongpeng?"

Looking at Lu Yun, who was now right in front of him, He Zhongpeng trembled. When had he ever met such a personage?

This old man was clearly just standing there, yet he gave off an illusion.

It wasn’t a person. It was a mountain so vast its peak was invisible, so majestic it could crush the heavens and the earth.

This was one of the signs of a Grandmaster of Divine Intent. Even if the master himself exercised restraint, his Martial Dao Will would still unconsciously leak out, constantly influencing everything around him.

In his nervousness, He Zhongpeng could only subconsciously tighten his grip on Lu Nianshu’s hand beside him.

"Ye... Yes, that’s me..."

’Advisor Lu? Isn’t that a little too distant? Old Sir? That doesn’t seem right either.’ For a moment, he didn’t know how to address the old man before him.

Lu Yun looked at his state and the corners of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.

And so, he spoke slowly, helping He Zhongpeng out of his predicament. "Nianshu is my adoptive granddaughter. Since you are her husband... you can call me Adoptive Grandfather from now on, too."

Hearing this, He Xin Town’s eyes lit up instantly. He was even happier than his own son!

’He Zhongpeng’s adoptive grandfather! That means my son is Advisor Lu’s adoptive grandson!’

’Doesn’t that make me Advisor Lu’s adoptive son?’ He Xin Town nearly fainted, struck by this pie that had fallen from the heavens!

’A connection others couldn’t forge in a lifetime... and I’ve just stumbled into it?’

"Peng’Er! What are you standing there for! Kneel! Call him Adoptive Grandfather!"

Behind He Xin Town, a middle-aged man in a black and white official uniform also grew excited.

He was He Xin Town’s younger brother, He Xinli, the captain of the guard for this area.

’My older brother is Advisor Lu’s adoptive son. Doesn’t that mean I’ll also benefit?’

He could already imagine himself bragging to his colleagues in the future.

’The He Family is going to soar from this day forward!’

「In the main hall of the He Family residence, the wedding had unknowingly progressed to the tea ceremony.」

According to the original plan, the newlyweds only needed to serve tea to two elders.

He Zhongpeng’s birth mother had passed away years ago, so on the dais, there was only his father, He Xin Town. On Lu Nianshu’s side, there was her grandfather, Lu Sheng.

Two people, two cups of tea. It was meant to be simple.

But now, there were three chairs on the dais. Lu Sheng was on the left, Lu Yun was in the center, and He Xin Town was on the right.

No one thought there was anything wrong with this. On the contrary, everyone felt it was only natural.

「In a private room on the second floor of the Jinhua Building.」

The room was wreathed in smoke. The smell of opium mixed with cheap perfume, making one drowsy.

He Zhongchen lay on his side on the bed, his collar open, shamelessly exposing his gaunt chest.

He puffed out clouds of smoke with half-lidded eyes, an expression of blissful ecstasy on his face.

A scantily clad woman knelt behind He Zhongchen, kneading his shoulders.

Boss Huang lay on the bed opposite, an opium pipe in his hand. He wore that signature smile of his—the kind that made people want to punch him.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Young Master Chen, if I recall correctly, today is a joyous day for your He Family."

Hearing this, the expression on He Zhongchen’s face instantly turned cold.

"Don’t mention those damned people."

He threw out the stiff reply, then rolled over to face away from Boss Huang.

But Boss Huang was relentless. He sat up, the smile on his face deepening. "Young Master Chen, you’ve been enjoying our services for the past two days... Isn’t it about time you settled the bill?"

He Zhongchen’s movements froze as he smoked his opium. He shot upright, turned to stare at Boss Huang, his eyes filled with disbelief.

’I haven’t gone back these past two days. The only reason I’ve been able to keep up appearances is because of that jade bracelet.’