Chapter 19

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

The Second Prince, Fang Yan, Wen Zihao and the rest standing at the side all heaved a sigh of relief as all this happened too quickly, making them feel as though their nerves were so tense it might snap.

“My father asked me to welcome all of you. How can there be such nonsense happening before the palace gate? Please get ready since the Fang and the Wen family heads have both arrived and it is almost time for the imperial feast.” Seeing as it was almost time and Ren Jie had already lowered the blade, the Second Prince proceeded to wrap up the situation.

Except nobody bothered about what he said because he was not the one with the authority now.

Since when did this fellow become so brave to even do this to Gao Peng who enjoyed such fame and reputation in the Jade Capital. Nobody had dared to do it besides Lan Tian. Could this be why Fang Qi wanted to get rid of him previously? A thought emerged in Fang Yan’s head as he looked at Ren Jie.

“Awesome!” Fatty Gao Ren excitedly clenched his fists and waved them around as he cheered Ren Jie on. Actually, he was just too excited and could not calm himself down because this was way more exciting than burning down Fang Qi’s yard and beating Gao Fei up with ironwood stools.

Especially since they had forced the famous Gao Peng of the Jade Imperial Academy to kneel down and cry. Thinking back about his haughty smile, he could not help but to feel incredibly satisfied.

As he thought about what happened recently, Gao Ren could not help but think that he did not seem to return home in anger like he used to do with Ren Jie in the past. In fact, they always returned incredibly satisfied. Since when did it start becoming like this?

With a wave of his hand, Tong Qiang immediately released Gao Peng like a machine and some of the Ren’s personal guards brought Gao Peng away while the rest continued to stand guard next to Ren Jie and his carriage. Even the Second Prince, Fang Yan, Wen Zihao and the rest were cleared from Ren Jie’s side.

As the captain of the Ren’s personal guards, his greatest mission in life was to protect the family head at all cost. This was something that all the family clans tried to uphold with their guards, but few of them were able to do it as well as Tong Qiang.

“Are… are you done! Do you know what you have done?” The elders of the Ren family were finally able to enter, and the moment they did, Ren Hanlin raised a shaking finger and pointed it at Ren Jie.

While the five family clans, including the royal family, had never been on good terms with each other, they would usually not go to extremes in public as it was still important to remain amicable. However, what Ren Jie did was akin to falling out with the Gaos in public, and Gao Peng was a rare talent even in the Gao family as well. He was basically the next family head. When he took over the position, it was obvious what his next step would be.

“This is the palace. Look… look at what you did in front of the palace. You openly challenged the authority of the royal family and the country’s law. You… As the family head you must know that your every word and action represents the Ren family.”

Ren Wenxu was also shaking from anger.

Ren Junyang looked at the Death Exemption jade tablet in Ren Jie’s hand somberly. “How can you use the Death Exemption jade tablet like this, this is shared by the whole family clan. Do you know what will happen after this? The forces that support the Gaos will completely fall out with us, and the other family clans will also be wary of us or even link up to go against us. You…”

“What about me?” Ren Jie dangled the Death Exemption jade tablet in front of the three worked up elders. “How else should I use it? By giving it offerings every day? Also, the Death Exemption jade tablets shared by the family clans are passed down by the Patriarch, but this one here is from my father Ren Tianxing. Since he has given it to me, it’s mine and I shall use it as I please.”

“Link up? Don’t you do that all the time?” Ren Jie gave a dry laugh and ignored the three Elders, giving them a wave of his hand. “Alright, it’s time for me to attend th Emperor’s feast. You can go back.”

“What… go back?

Second Elder Ren Junyang, third Elder Ren Hanlin and fourth Elder Ren Wenxu were all stunned. They had made many preparations to bring Ren Jie along to this imperial feast.

They also had many other things to do at the imperial feast, but now that Ren Jie had asked them to go back. They were at a loss. They suddenly recalled that the tradition was that only the family head would be invited, and everyone else that attended was brought along by the family head.

Just then, another two troops of men and carriages arrived. It was the Wen family head, Wen Yong, and the Fang family head, Fang Tianen.

“Second Prince, it is time.” Fang Yan gently reminded the Second Prince.

The Second Prince had a dark expression as he had not thought about it during the incident since everything was too tense, and there was even a Death Exemption jade tablet. Now that he thought about it, he felt angrier and angrier at the fact that he, as the Second Prince, was scolded by this fellow. He was supposed to welcome them too, yet he did not show him any respect. Didn’t that mean that he spoiled his task and even snubbed him?

But now he had other matters to deal with and he could only give the order to open the door.

“The five family clans are one in the Clear Jade Dynasty. His Majesty decrees that the Ren, Gao, Fang and Wen family heads are invited to discuss about the country’s matters. Open the door and let the music begin.” The Eunuch’s distinct voice rang in the air as the palace gate was opened and the orchestra started playing, thus signifying the start of the thousand-year-old tradition of the Clear Jade Dynasty’s imperial feast.

“Wait… you’re not of age yet… the imperial feast concerns the family clan’s interest and you must be accompanied by the Elders Council…” Ren Junyang saw that Ren Jie was getting on the spiritual beast carriage and immediately shouted.

Go back? If they went back like that it would be embarrassment like no other. Right, they were members of the Elders Council and were the ones who had the authority to make decisions in the Ren family.

Ren Hanlin and Ren Wenxu immediately nodded their heads when they heard this. Even the family head’s allowance was controlled by them, what could he do?

“I’m only bringing Tie Ta as a personal guard and a food connoisseur in today. As for the other matters, I have no interest. If you wish to discuss important things with His Majesty, then go and find him yourself. Uncle, let’s go.” After calling Gao Ren and Tie Ta onto the carriage, Ren Jie immediately gave the order to go.

“You…” Ren Hanlin raised his hand, wanting to stop Ren Jie, but he was too late and could only stare as Ren Jie left.

This thousand-year-old tradition had an incredibly important significance, and the first time they were able to attend it over a year ago, the three old fellows Ren Junyang, Ren Hanlin and Ren Wenxu were still excited over it for a few days. They felt incredibly honored to be able to attend it and they were able to secure many benefits for themselves just through the discussions. Hence, many of their direct descendants were able to secure positions that allowed them to rise in status within the family clan.

This imperial feast was the highlight of the whole year and they had made ample preparations for it. They were hopeful about it but yet, all they could do was watch Ren Jie’s carriage enter the palace as they stood at the gate…

While they rushed over in grandeur, the security was tight about entering the palace. Only those sitting within the family head’s spiritual beast carriage could enter, nobody else was allowed in. On this day, the Emperor did not care about other matters. Hence, anyone who tried to barge in would be killed.

So, if Ren Jie did not allow them on the spiritual beast carriage, there was no way they could enter.

Ren Junyang was so angry that his chest rose and fell repeatedly. He had yet to settle scores with Ren Jie over what happened just now, how dare he leave him outside. He’s going to be the death of me…

Ren Hanlin and Ren Wenxu also felt their face heat up as they longed for a place to hide.

But no matter how they huffed in anger or glared, there was no way they could get in.

“Zihao, get on.” The Wen family head’s spiritual beast carriage passed by then, pulled by a level-4 mid-stage Rainbow Deer. He called Wen Zihao as he passed by as though he was not aware of what had just happened and entered the palace straightaway.

The Fang family head Fang Tianen’s spiritual beast carriage was pulled by a huge wolf, said to be born from two level-7 late-stage demon wolves. Even though it dropped to level-6 when it grew up, it was still said to be a late-stage level-6. That was almost at a level of completing the True Qi Realm! Fang Tianen’s carriage also entered straightaway. As they looked at Ren Jie’s carriage, the Wen family head, Wen Yong’s, and the Fang family head, Fang Tianen’s carriages enter the palace, the three of them felt unbearably upset.

They were boiling in anger, distress, and embarrassment!

“Nonsense… utter nonsense. We must call for a meeting with the Elders immediately…” Ren Wenxu was so angry that he was on the verge of shouting.

“Stop it. We have brought the family head here and now we shall head back. Anything else can be said at the family house. Let’s go!” Wasn’t it embarrassing enough? Looking at Fang Yan, the Second Prince and the guards looking over, Ren Junyang shouted angrily. He could not stay here any longer and left for the family house with Ren Hanlin and Ren Wenxu.

Looking at the three angry Elders leave, the Second Prince, who was initially angry, and Fang Yan, who had been silently pondering at the side, were all confused for a moment. If this Ren Jie was indeed smart, why would he make enemies on the outside and with his own people as well? It would make it hard for him to achieve anything. Seems like he is truly crazy, we will have more exciting news from now on.

Meanwhile, Tong Qiang raised his hand and the personal guards immediately stood in formation to wait for Ren Jie to emerge from the palace.

“This Ren Jie… Peng-er, don’t worry, I will definitely seek justice for you. Men, send the young master back to the family house…” Gao Zhanyuan looked at the usually suave and calm Gao Peng. who was now covered in blood and spitting out more, and felt his heart ache as tears threatened to fall.

“I’m fine. I’ll definitely return this to him, ten times over, a hundred times over. I won’t let him have an easy death, he’ll be praying for death when that time comes.” The hatred in Gao Peng’s eyes was fierce. Hatred, nobody felt more hatred than he did in that moment.