Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1403: Little Fatty’s Divine Stroke

Han Yan’s gaze was frigid as she looked at Dan Tai Xuan, her silence a stark response. She hadn't expected Dan Tai Xuan to stir up such a fuss, yet she refused to yield. Her pride and dignity were paramount; she wouldn't bow under coercion and still be herself.

"I am He Family Young Master He Qingzong, and I hold Lord Tantai in high regard..." The He Family Young Master stepped forward at this moment, a bright smile on his face as he spoke, clearly preparing to side with Dan Tai Qing.

"What are you still waiting for? Do you wish to see us all perish?" Mu Chengqi’s anxiety intensified upon witnessing this.

"My esteemed elder brother admires Lord Tantai immensely, and thus, the He Family's Young Master wishes to align with Young Master Mu, combining our strength to defend Lu’an City." Before He Zong could finish his statement, a roly-poly, round youngster emerged, speaking on his behalf.

"Excellent, truly excellent." Seeing another family pledging allegiance, Dan Tai Xuan’s face was alight with smugness. He nodded repeatedly and spoke, casting a provocative look toward Han Yan.

However, his smugness quickly gave way to confusion. The noble sons who had been fawning over him abruptly fell silent, their gazes fixed on He Qingwei as if he were some monstrous entity.

Dan Tai Xuan was slightly perplexed. He recalled the initial words expressed admiration for him, but the latter half pledged loyalty to Han Yan. The shift was so sudden that even he hadn’t fully processed it, leading him to exclaim "very good" twice.

This infuriating little fatty – he felt an urge to wring his neck.

"Qingwei, what absurdities are you uttering?" Before Dan Tai Xuan could make a move, He Qingzong was already bellowing in rage.

"Brother, after much deliberation, I firmly believe it is more prudent to follow Young Master Mu." He Qingwei stated, shaking his head.

"This is no place for you to speak; withdraw immediately!" He Qingzong commanded sternly.

"Brother, while you hold the title of Young Master, this decision concerns the very survival and prosperity of our He Family for the next few centuries. I urge you to heed my words." He Qingwei declared, unyielding.

"Qingwei, do not forget your place. As the Young Master, I now order you to stand down!" He Qingzong’s fury surged at his continued defiance.

Judging by his imposing demeanor, if He Qingwei persisted in his insubordination, He Qingzong might very well use his authority as Young Master to publicly discipline him.

"Brother, if you insist on this path, then I have no alternative." The chubby youngster said with an air of helplessness, producing a token. "In that case, I shall have to, in my capacity as acting Family Head, command the He Family’s Young Master to join Han Yan in Lu’an City."

"What?! The Family Head Token? How could it possibly be in your possession?" Witnessing the token in He Qingwei’s hand, He Qingzong was utterly astonished.

It wasn’t just him; the scions of the other families, and even Han Yan, were taken aback.

If Yan Yu had pledged unwavering allegiance, Han Yan would not have found it surprising. However, this declaration from He Qingwei was profoundly unexpected. Wasn’t this little fatty supposed to harbor an intense hatred for her?

What astonished Han Yan even more was the fact that this little fatty possessed the He Family’s Family Head Token. Had Old Patriarch He lost his senses to entrust such a vital item to him? Even if it was only to act as temporary Family Head, should anything befall the actual He Family Patriarch, he would instantly ascend to the rightful position.

Glancing around, Han Yan could not perceive any discernible qualities in this head-shaking little youngster that would qualify him for the role of Family Head. She was truly baffled by the thought process of Old Patriarch He.

"This is impossible! How could Grandfather possibly hand over the Family Head Token to you?" He Qingzong, even more bewildered, stared at He Qingwei in a stupor.

From a young age, He Qingzong had displayed a far superior cultivation talent and a more astute mind compared to He Qingwei, positioning him as the designated Young Master. Everyone, including himself, firmly believed that the succession to Family Head would inevitably be his. He never envisioned his grandfather entrusting the Family Head Token to He Qingwei, a revelation that left him with unparalleled disappointment.

"Brother, truthfully, I did not seek this responsibility either." He Qingwei conveyed with a degree of helplessness as he looked at his brother. "However, there is no other recourse, as you seem to have disregarded the ancestor’s prior directives. Therefore, I must remind you."

Upon hearing He Qingwei’s words, He Qingzong visibly shuddered, a profound expression of shame and regret washing over his features.

The others present privately mused, uncertain about the specific instructions laid down by the He Family Ancestor and their connection to the Family Head Token now held by He Qingwei.

"The ancestor decreed that if Han Yan did not return, we were to pursue our own objectives; but should she return, our obligation would be to fully support the Mu Family, refraining from any other contests. However, the ancestor foresaw your potential disobedience, hence he arranged for Grandfather to entrust the Family Head Token to me, empowering me to act as Family Head."

Had you been willing to heed his counsel, I would not have produced the Family Leader Token. Should anything untoward befall him or grandfather, I would have employed the Family Leader Token to aid your legitimate ascent to Family Head. However, since you refused his counsel and persisted in challenging me based on your Young Master status, I was left with no other recourse," He Qingwei explained obstinately to He Qingzong and the assembled crowd.

Once his explanation concluded, He Qingwei positioned himself behind Han Yan. With the Family Leader Token now in his possession, the other Young Masters of the He Family, along with the scions of noble families previously aligned with the He Family, had no choice but to abandon their ambitions and follow suit.

He Qingzong cast a look at Han Yan, emitted a prolonged sigh, and could only yield, standing behind Han Yan.

Previously, He Qingzong had disregarded the He Family Ancestor's words, harboring a desire akin to Mo Yanhong's. He intended to seize the opportunity during their visit to Lu'an City to elevate the He Family's standing among the Eight Great Families, thereby solidifying the foundation for his eventual succession as Family Head. After all, the ancestor had consistently shown favor to He Qingwei; as long as the Family Head position remained out of his grasp, true peace would elude him. Yet, who could have foreseen that the ancestor had anticipated this very scenario, arranging for grandfather to pass the Family Leader Token to He Qingwei.

With the initial misstep made, every subsequent action proved futile. He Qingzong understood that his prospects of ever becoming Family Head had likely vanished.

The remaining individuals were left in a state of stunned disbelief, with Mu Daren and his associates experiencing even greater turmoil internally.

They too had heard of the He Family Ancestor's formidable reputation. It was unexpected that such a legendary and powerful figure would place such immense value on Han Yan. To wholeheartedly support the Mu Family, or more accurately, Han Yan, the ancestor did not hesitate to entrust the Family Leader Token to He Qingwei. Had the token not been presented, the situation might have unfolded differently. However, its emergence signified that the He Family's designated Young Master position had been irrevocably altered.

In stark contrast, the recent actions of the other Young Masters now appeared utterly preposterous. Could the judgment of the He Family Ancestor truly be inferior to that of these juniors?

Amidst the heavy silence, all eyes turned towards the final noble family in attendance: the Yan Family. Following the Zhao Family's downfall in the Capital, the two formerly leading families now held prominent positions within the Eight Great Families. The Yan Family, in particular, had consistently maintained a high ranking, keeping pace with the Mu Family. Prevailing rumors suggested that after the current round of family rankings, the Yan Family was poised to become the preeminent force among the Eight Great Families, a testament to their undeniable strength.

Now, the crucial decision rested with the Yan Family. Would their allegiance lie with Han Yan, or with Dan Tai Xuan?