157: Chapter 157 When the Plums Ripen: Childhood Sweetheart Male Lead 35

Inside Zhenghe Hall, the atmosphere was so oppressive water could be wrung out of it.

Meng Zhu sat high up on the grand master's chair at the head of the room today.

That scholarly aura actually carried a full sense of oppression.

On both sides below, there were about dozens of people. Regardless of gender, they all shared the surname Meng, and were the heads of various branch families of the Meng Family.

These people usually called the wind and summoned the rain outside, being glamorous power-holders.

Every single one of them had an extraordinary bearing, and their attire today was extremely meticulous.

Yet at this moment, they all looked somewhat cowering and uneasy.

The "golden jade good match" hairpin from the morning had long since triggered a strong ominous premonition in them.

Amidst dead silence, seeing everyone look at him, Meng Zhu tapped the armrest of his seat.

"Did you all see it?"

He did not say what was seen, but everyone knew it in their hearts.

In the silence, everyone looked at each other.

Then someone piled their face with a smile.

"Seen it. Presumably, today's discussion is also for the Patriarch to announce matters regarding the Madam. Miss Zhaoyu has lived in the Meng Family since childhood, knows the Patriarch inside and out, and shares a deep bond. It is truly a tremendous joyous event."

Seeing this, several others also chimed in with ingratiating smiles.

However, there was not the slightest smile on Meng Zhu's face.

His gaze swept across the crowd, coldly interrupting their hypocrisy.

"It's good that you saw it. The golden seal is also already being made."

Meng Zhu's voice was not loud, but it carried weight with every word.

"You should understand that the Fragrance Workshop only recognizes the golden jade good match, and its internal affairs will now only recognize Zhaoyu's ruling golden seal."

As soon as these words were spoken, the smiles of everyone below vanished. Some frowned, stopping themselves from speaking.

But saying anything was useless; this was already a settled conclusion.

The Jade Workshop and Fragrance Workshop had never been assets of the Meng Family, but rather the private property of the eldest branch and his wife. These branch families had no right to interfere at all.

Now that the Patriarch's wife had thirty percent of the Meng Group's shares, alongside the existence of the Fragrance Workshop, there was no fear of share dilution.

Coupled with the shares and power in the Patriarch's hands, at this moment, the Meng Group instantly changed ownership right on the spot.

Changing from a family enterprise to the Patriarch's sole voice, the difference here was simply too huge.

Meng Zhu took in all the expressions of the crowd.

"Presumably, by now, you have all figured out your own predicament."

He paused slightly, picked up his tea, and took a sip.

"Then let's look at the news first."

As soon as his voice fell, the phones of the people below vibrated one after another, as if they had discussed it beforehand.

Everyone hurriedly pulled out their phones and opened the family group chat.

With just one glance, the faces of dozens of people instantly turned pale white!

In the group, a large number of documents popped up like life-summoning talismans.

Inside, it detailedly recorded how, over this period of time,

the various branch families secretly cooperated with Lu Yu within the group, betrayed the main family's interests, and lined their own pockets with evidence.

Of course, there were also their own regulatory violations.

There was even the complete plan to coerce Nan Li during today's discussion.

Piece by piece, item by item, the evidence was conclusive.

"Clang—"

I don't know whose hand trembled, causing their phone to smash directly onto the ground.

Everyone's expressions were ugly to the extreme, and a few even went limp all over, collapsing against their chairs.

"So... you've been fishing this whole time!"

One person couldn't help crying out, cold sweat pouring down their forehead like a waterfall.

Meng Zhu didn't even bother to acknowledge him, only shaking his head in disappointment.

"Take a look at what you look like right now."

Meng Zhu's voice was piercingly cold.

"Where is there even a shred of the demeanor of a scholarly aristocratic family? Corrupted by money, colluding and scheming against each other for the sake of profit, you are simply as ugly as vultures."

Meng Zhu looked down upon the crowd.

"Our ancestors always said that the Meng Family's money is enough as long as it's sufficient; one must never let greed blind their mind."

"Yet what about you? You actually still have the face to come back every year to worship our ancestors!"

The entire venue was dead silent. Everyone was speechless, not even daring to raise their heads.

Meng Zhu did not give them a chance to catch their breath, directly casting down his verdict.

"Today's discussion has only one matter, and that is that the Meng Group will be dismantled and reorganized starting immediately."

This sentence was like an earthquake.

"Starting today, the various branches will begin cutting ties. If you want to cooperate, you can discuss cooperation privately, but the main family will completely withdraw from all industries and no longer have anything to do with you!"

Meng Zhu spoke every single word with absolute resolution.

"As for what belongs to the group, whether it is traditional industries, resources, shares, connections, or real industry, virtual assets, or overseas branch offices, the main family will completely cut ties. From now on, the main family's patent database will not be closed to you, but everything will be priced clearly."

"At the same time, for this separation, everyone on the red-marked list in the document must cede 30% of their respective interests as compensation to the main family."

Meng Zhu's eyes were cold.

"From now on, family sentiments still remain, but interests will no longer be bound together."

Everyone was shocked on the spot, their minds completely blank.

"Patriarch! You absolutely must not! Why go to such lengths!"

A few of the older generation collapsed on the spot, crying out in shock.

You must know that almost all of the Meng Family's connections were managed by the main family. Those related associations and intangible cultural heritage inheritors—the branch families couldn't even touch the threshold.

Moreover, the main family also possessed a massive patent database.

This stroke would directly beat the Meng Group back to its original form.

But Meng Zhu's attitude was resolute, leaving no room for maneuver.

"If the Meng Group continues to be run this way, in less than a hundred years, my Meng Family will probably become mere land gentry and merchants who only know how to pursue profit, family reputation completely ruined, and the severance of our heritage right before our eyes!"

He looked around at everyone.

"From now on, regarding the heritage and development of each branch, it is better to think more about the past and not forget your original aspiration. After the discussion, you don't need to stay long; go back and prepare yourselves."

Finished speaking, Meng Zhu turned around mercilessly and walked into the back hall.

Leaving everyone with ashen faces, looking at each other bitterly.

They never would have imagined that Meng Zhu could be so ruthless. This was no different than scraping the bone to heal poison.

In the end, they could only sigh and stand up to leave one by one.

[Is this right? The main lineage is this strong? Then how dare the branch families?]

[They thought that because interests were bound, Meng Zhu couldn't be without scruples.]

[That's considered being too clever for one's own good.]

[Mainly they also thought Nan Li and Meng Zhu were one as husband and wife, so the shares directly exceeded the limit.]

[What a brilliant move of drawing the firewood from under the cauldron.]

[High-energy warning! There's going to be a clown at the door.]

The bullet screen watched the door with anticipation.

Sure enough.

Lu Yu was still standing in place, fantasizing about his upcoming grand eloquence.

Seeing everyone filing out, Lu Yu immediately straightened his suit and walked up to them with a frown.

"How did you scatter so quickly?"

Just as Lu Yu finished speaking, he waved his hand again.

"Never mind, none of you need to leave. I am going to initiate the second discussion right now."

"Idiot!"

A branch family member who usually called him brother violently pushed him aside, cursing with bloodshot eyes:

"When we go back, your Lu Family will be used to sacrifice the flag for this matter first!"

Lu Yu was pushed to stagger, his face full of astonishment.

"What kind of nerve are you striking? What kind of bullshit are you talking about?"

Someone else passed by him and gave him a cold glance.

"Indeed, the Lu Family won't need to exist in the future. From now on, you can just be a kept toyboy for Meng Qingyuan and obediently cook at home. Otherwise, the next time I see you, I won't be able to help wanting to smash your bones to ashes."

As soon as these words came out, Lu Yu instantly realized something huge had happened.

He looked in shock at this group of members of the Meng Family, seeing that every single one of them had an ugly expression.

"Lu Yu!"

At this moment, Meng Qingyuan also ran out from the main hall.

Her face was pale as death, and she hurriedly grabbed Lu Yu's arm.

"Stop talking, let's go quickly! Come home with me first!"

Who would have thought that fear would give birth to anger?

He was already holding back a belly full of fire, and now he had been inexplicably cursed at again.

In a moment of agitation, he turned his hand and fiercely delivered a loud slap across Meng Qingyuan's face!

"Slap!"

"Go back to what? You tell me, what on earth happened? What are you all doing?"

Lu Yu's eyes were bloodred.

Meng Qingyuan was struck so hard her head turned aside, her cheek instantly swelling red.

This was the first time Lu Yu had hit her, and she was beaten into a daze.

Holding her face, she remained silent for a full five seconds.

The next second, Meng Qingyuan fiercely turned her head back, swung her backhand with all her might, and heavily struck Lu Yu's face!

"Slap!"

This slap was crisp and loud. It was also Meng Qingyuan's first time showing backbone, leaving Lu Yu standing frozen on the spot.

"Lu Yu, you actually dare to hit me."

Meng Qingyuan looked icily at the man before her, as if meeting him for the first time.

"Using sweet words to latch onto me, Meng Qingyuan, you thought the Meng Family was a soft persimmon for you to squeeze. After being married to you for so many years and compromising everywhere, this lady almost forgot that her surname is Meng!"

She was not an ordinary branch member of the Meng Family; she was descended from the second branch. Even married into the Lu Family, she actually wasn't without backing.

It's just that she had gotten used to compromising.

At this moment, she couldn't help taking a deep breath, her every word like freezing ice.

"Lu Yu, we'll get a divorce as soon as we go back! You and your Lu Family can both crawl into the gutter and wait to die!"

Finished speaking, Meng Qingyuan completely ignored Lu Yu's shocked expression, raised her leg and kicked him fiercely, then stormed away without looking back.

Lu Yu only then came back to his senses, his face turning purplish-red, his cheek burning with pain.

"You've rebelled... Rebellious! Meng Qingyuan, you stop right there for me!"

Just as he was about to rage,

"Mr. Lu, please do not go crazy here."

The person who had stopped him earlier appeared behind him, coldly and rigidly interrupting him.

"In addition, the Patriarch has spoken."

"From now on, regardless of whether you are still the Meng Family's son-in-law, Mr. Lu no longer needs to return to Qinghe Garden to worship the ancestors. This place no longer welcomes you."

"My ass..."

Seeing that he had no intention of being tactful,

several bodyguards immediately stepped forward, directly grabbing Lu Yu by the arms.

"What are you doing? Let me go!"

He shouted all the way, dragged forcibly out of Qinghe Garden like a stray dog.