"Little Brother here, toasting you, Big Brother." Shang Yifan stood up, bowed, raised his glass high, his face beaming with smiles.
At this moment, the great hall was ablaze with lights, song and dance were performed, and the sound of silk and bamboo instruments flowed. Cups and goblets clinked, and the atmosphere was lively.
"Good." Shang Qiuniu sat in the host's seat, raised his glass to Shang Yifan, and tilted his neck to drink it all in one go.
Beside him, a strategist spoke on his behalf: "Young master Yifan, it is undoubtedly a wise decision for you to attend our young master Qiuniu's evening banquet. Rest assured, our young master will not treat you unkindly."
"Big brother Qiuniu has always been my role model and example. In fact, I have always wanted to get closer to you, big brother Qiuniu, and learn from you," Shang Yifan said with a smile.
Shang Qiuniu was the leader of the largest faction among the current young masters. Coincidentally, Shang Yifan's maternal family also had deep ties with him. If Shang Xinci also chose Shang Qiuniu's side, she would definitely be ostracized by Shang Yifan.
However, Shang Qiuniu had proactively extended an invitation to Shang Xinci in advance.
If Shang Xinci came, he would certainly welcome her.
Why?
Because Shang Xinci had the two Fourth-turn combat powers of Fang Yuan and Bai Ningbing by her side.
This was something that none of the other young masters possessed. Many were envious and jealous of this.
"Young master, I have found out that Shang Xinci has gone to..." At this moment, a Gu Master bent over and entered, whispering something to Shang Qiuniu.
Shang Qiuniu listened, his gaze slightly dimmed.
Shang Yifan had been carefully observing his expression, and he couldn't help but speculate: "It seems Shang Xinci didn't choose this side. Could it be the Shang Pulao faction?"
Shang Qiuniu's face had been tempered to the point where he could hide his emotions well, showing no change, leaving Shang Yifan only to guess, unable to discern anything.
But soon, Shang Yifan also received news. It turned out that Shang Xinci had taken the invitation and attended Shang Chaofeng's holiday banquet.
This meant that she had chosen the Shang Chaofeng faction.
As soon as he got the news, Shang Yifan couldn't help but secretly rejoice: "Although Shang Chaofeng and Shang Fuxi are the third-largest faction, they are always suppressed. How can they be a match for big brother Qiuniu? My chances of winning the young master position have increased a bit!"
But beside him, the old chief steward Zhang shook his head, his expression somewhat grim: "Young master, right now the factions of Qiuniu and Pulao are locked in a bitter struggle. It may not be possible for you to rely on Qiuniu's strength to deal with Shang Xinci."
"This..."
"At such a tense moment, young master Qiuniu cannot afford to make more enemies. Shang Xinci's choice this time is somewhat clever. She has avoided the maelstrom and is temporarily watching from the sidelines. By the time the two major factions have temporarily settled their differences, the competition for the young master position will already be over."
"Shang Xinci has the two Fourth-turn combat powers. No matter which faction she joins, she will be absorbed and recruited as an ally. Young master Chaofeng will definitely support her as well."
The old steward Zhang analyzed the situation calmly, with penetrating insight.
"So, even if I join Shang Qiuniu's faction, I still can't deal with Shang Xinci?" Shang Yifan's face turned ugly.
"All I can say is that you can't rely on Shang Qiuniu's power," Old Steward Zhang said, stroking his white beard. "But Shang Xinci has plenty of problems too. Chief among them is her lack of capable subordinates. I heard that she has been trying to recruit Zhou Quan lately. Hmph, how is that possible?"
Steward Zhang snorted, then continued: "Zhou Quan was once the head of a clan, proud and arrogant. His ability is ten times mine. How could he attach himself to a young girl still wet behind the ears? I have already made a move behind the scenes, creating a lot of rumors. Zhou Quan cares greatly about his reputation, and I have blocked his path. Shang Xinci originally wanted to recruit Zhou Quan in secret. Now that she can't recruit him, she will lose a lot of prestige and suffer a setback at the very start, even becoming a laughingstock in the Shang Family City. Hehehe..."
As he finished, Steward Zhang sneered repeatedly.
Shang Chaofeng's study was simply furnished, with a large stone table and high-backed stone chairs, exuding a rough and solid atmosphere.
While Shang Yifan and the old steward Zhang were communicating secretly, Shang Chaofeng, Shang Xinci, Fang Yuan, and Bai Ningbing were also discussing matters.
The conversation had been going on for some time.
To be honest, Shang Xinci's taking the initiative to align herself with him surprised Shang Chaofeng.
He had originally thought that Shang Xinci would ally with Shang Qiuniu or Shang Pulao. His own faction was only the third-largest, currently lying low and accumulating strength. Usually, they were very low-key and chose to give in on many issues and conflicts. He never expected to win Shang Xinci's favor.
Shang Xinci herself was only at the Second-turn cultivation level, with even poorer talent, and had almost no foundation of power in Shang Family City.
But she had Fang Yuan and Bai Ningbing aligned with her.
These were two Fourth-turn combat powers—even when Shang Yanfei was a young master, he didn't have such capable lieutenants.
Being able to gain the attachment of such fierce generals was something every young master envied.
Shang Chaofeng, of course, had privately sighed many times at Shang Xinci's good fortune.
Now, as long as he absorbed Shang Xinci, he could indirectly gain the help of Fang and Bai. For Shang Chaofeng, this was an irresistible temptation.
The atmosphere in the study was harmonious.
In the just-concluded conversation, Shang Chaofeng had sincerely expressed his intention to fully support Shang Xinci's ascent to power.
"Little sister Xinci, you relied on buying and selling Gu worms earlier and have already earned three hundred thousand primeval stones. That's the highest, but relying solely on this three hundred thousand is far from enough. What plans and intentions do you have next?"
After speaking, Shang Chaofeng added, "Just tell me. As long as it is within my ability, I will give you maximum help."
Shang Xinci exchanged a glance with Fang Yuan, and Fang Yuan gave her a slight nod.
So Shang Xinci confessed, "To be honest with you, big brother Chaofeng, I want to go into the information business."
"The information business?" Shang Chaofeng raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Shang Xinci then detailed her plan.