Shen Qingye furrowed his brows, glanced at Bai Luhui, and motioned with his mouth, "Use your phone to try calling her."
Bai Luhui also made a call, with the same result.
Li Qiao’s phone could no longer be reached.
Shen Qingye’s calm cheeks gradually turned gloomy, she had said she would hurry back, probably in half an hour.
Based on his understanding of Li Qiao, she would definitely keep her word.
Shen Qingye abruptly stood up and headed upstairs, coming to Wang Yue’s room, he explained his purpose and then urged Wang Yue to contact Liuyun.
At that moment, with one arm in a sling, Wang Yue quickly dialed Liuyun’s number, which didn’t connect.
He tried calling Luoyu, with the same lack of success.
Wang Yue felt that something was not right and did not hesitate to dial Shang Yu’s number, utterly disregarding the fact that he was currently attending an important Clan Assembly.
The old house deliberation hall, a large conference table with more than a dozen people seated around it.
Shang Zonghai and Shang Yu were sitting at the top, with three family elders seated on either side, followed by other heads of the collateral branches.
Behind them, in the observers’ seating area, was filled with members of Shang’s family, young and old; at a rough glance, there were no fewer than fifty.
At this time, the Clan Assembly was drawing to a close.
The Great Elder Hu Ying, well into his sixties and with a stern face, was flipping through the genealogy meeting minutes in his hand.
He paused for a few seconds, his eyes sweeping over Shang Yu before finally settling on Shang Zonghai, "Family Head, based on observations from the past half-year, the family fund performance, the protection of family assets, and the education of the next generation will be the focal points of discussion at tomorrow’s Clan Assembly..."
An abrupt ring of a vibrating phone interrupted the Great Elder’s speech.
Hu Ying’s wrinkled hand pressed against the thick genealogy meeting minutes as he squinted displeasedly towards Shang Yu.
The sound of the vibration seemed to be emanating from his person.
"Eldest Young Master, the Clan Assembly forbids the use of mobile phones, have you forgotten?" the Great Elder asked coldly.
In contrast, Shang Yu stood up leisurely, glanced at his phone, muttered "one moment," and then walked steadily out of the deliberation hall.
As for the Great Elder’s reminder, he was as if deaf to it.
In the quiet hall, no one spoke up.
Every person present was the head of their respective family, yet in front of Shang Yu, no one dared to interject.
At that moment, Shang Jiye, the head of the eighth family who had been silent for quite some time, slammed his fists on the table, "Great Elder, should we not add one more point to tomorrow’s discussion agenda? Whether the prospective heir maliciously directed his subordinates to sabotage the assets of the collateral branches, how can such a despicable person become the heir of a noble family?"
The Great Elder Hu Ying glanced at Shang Jiye, his astute eyes flickering briefly, before responding with diplomacy, "Please calm yourself. The ultimate focus of our Clan Assembly will be decided by the Family Head."
Hu Ying, astute and sly, seemed to put Shang Zonghai in charge, but his words hinted at intentionally intensifying the conflict.
No sooner had the Great Elder finished speaking than Housekeeper Xiao, disregarding decorum, hurried in, "Sir, the Eldest Young Master has an urgent matter and has left first."
Immediately, whispers filled the deliberation hall.
On the eve of the Clan Assembly, the entire family sitting together to discuss the details was tradition, and it was also something that must be recorded in the family genealogy meeting minutes.
The first in line to inherit, Shang Shaoyan, leaving so abruptly during such an important occasion, was simply arrogant.
At the table, Shang Zonghai raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet without showing any change in expression.
However, after a brief silence, what followed was a barrage of criticism from the heads of the collateral branches towards Shang Yu.