Chapter Fifty-Three: This Director, Better Not Be

Facing the crowd’s condemnation and angry shouts, Yan Yuanqing’s expression remained unchanged, as if what he had just done was of no burden to him at all.

In truth, that was indeed the case.

Yan Yuanqing had never cared about his position at this Traditional Medicine Hall. If not for Shi Yuru, he would not have spent any time or effort working here. Everything he did was merely a compromise for her sake.

“Heh, all of you keep calling this the patriarch’s reward? What age do you think we’re living in? Go home, look at a calendar, see what year it is now, and you’re still playing these games?”

“I believe you all know exactly what the Shi family has become. Go back and take a good look in the mirror—see what you really are!”

With that, Yan Yuanqing brushed his sleeve and left, paying no further heed to the group behind him hurling curses and accusations.

Had this been the Yan Yuanqing of a few years ago, faced with such a situation, he would surely have chosen to compromise. But the man he was today was utterly different. Having fully mastered the power of the Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant, he no longer needed to endure and yield as he once did.

He had barely left the Traditional Medicine Hall when the staff member from earlier hurried after him.

“Yan Yuanqing!” the man called out loudly. “If you walk away like this today, you’ll regret it! The patriarch will never let you off lightly, and both you and Shi Yuru will be punished by the family! I advise you to think carefully before making a decision—it’s not too late to turn back now!”

The warning still carried that air of superiority, as if he were bestowing mercy upon Yan Yuanqing.

“Ha! A bunch of self-satisfied fools, thinking themselves as capable as their ancestors, believing they still have real strength and status, when in truth, rot has set in to their very bones!”

“Do as you please. Advise me to turn back? Ridiculous!”

With those words, Yan Yuanqing strode quickly away from the Shi Family Traditional Medicine Hall, leaving behind a crowd of clansmen stunned by his actions.

And in just a few short minutes, everything that had transpired there was reported to Shi Chengren.

A subordinate in uniform knelt before Shi Chengren, reporting the details of what had just occurred.

“Master, just now, that old man Shi Tianhe—”

He hadn’t finished when a murderous aura filled the room.

“Is the name Shi Tianhe one you are permitted to utter? Even though he and I are currently at odds, that doesn’t mean you may address him so directly. Show proper respect when you speak!”

“Yes, Master!”

“Reporting, Master: the patriarch intended to give Yan Yuanqing a show of force, but who would have thought that as soon as the letter of appointment was delivered, not only did Yan Yuanqing refuse to yield, he was outright infuriated!”

“In the end, he tore the appointment letter to shreds and walked out in defiance. This is a prime opportunity for us to win him over—a potential opening for your plans!”

“If we seize this chance, we might become the Shi family members closest to Yan Yuanqing!”

Shi Chengren fell into deep thought upon hearing his subordinate’s words.

“Hmm, you’re right, it is a good opportunity. But it seems Yan Yuanqing’s character is even more unyielding than we anticipated.”

“The way he has behaved all these years must be tied to the treasure in his possession; there’s no other explanation. We must proceed with great caution.”

“He’s already wary of us, so we must rely on this—” Shi Chengren tapped his own head.

His subordinate quickly nodded in agreement.

“Yes, Master!”

“Go now. I will find a way to handle this, but you must keep a close eye on Yan Yuanqing and the entire Shi family. Report any new developments to me immediately!”