In the provincial capital of Lingnan Province, a millennium-old commercial hub with a population in the tens of millions, it stands as a unique economic city across the entire Shenzhou.

In the heart of this city, where every inch of land is precious, a mountain is surrounded by buildings, like a pearl embedded among skyscrapers.

At the foot of the mountain lies a man-made lake spanning hundreds of acres, shimmering like a mirror.

The entire mountain, including the artificial lake, belongs to the most prominent family in Lingnan, the Ye family.

By the lakeside are extensive buildings nestled against the mountain and water, featuring both ancient gardens with a timeless charm and luxurious Western-style villas.

Every member of the Lingnan elite knows this as the famous Ye Family Manor.

The Ye family, a vast clan with a century-long legacy and assets worth hundreds of billions, wields unparalleled influence in politics, business, and the military.

There was once a jest that said, "The leaders of Lingnan may come and go, but the Ye family remains unshakable."

No matter who comes to govern Lingnan, the Ye family is an unavoidable checkpoint for them.

Today is the day of a grand banquet at the Ye family, bustling with activity as countless luxury cars drive into the vast estate.

Everyone attending this banquet is a figure from the military, political, or business circles of the provincial capital.

This illustrates the significance of the Ye family in the entire Lingnan region.

For many, the Ye family is like a stepping stone in life, regardless of which side of the elite they belong to.

As long as they receive an invitation to the banquet and enter this manor, their future path, aided by the Ye family's resources, will soar to new heights.

Therefore, many people rack their brains to secure an opportunity to attend the Ye family's year-end banquet.

At this moment, a luxurious Rolls-Royce slowly drives into the manor, carrying a renowned billionaire from Lingnan with assets worth hundreds of billions.

The security at the gate is not surprised at all; they see people more distinguished than this person entering every day.

Next, an Audi drives into the manor, seemingly ordinary, but the license plate number 00009 signifies the owner's status.

The owner is none other than the ninth most important figure in Lingnan, holding an extraordinary position.

In one of the rear courtyards of the Ye family, with its intricately carved beams and fragrant orchids, there is no trace of modernity.

It feels as if one has traveled back in time to an ancient palace courtyard.

The vibrant red beams are made of rare golden nanmu, and the eaves are adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings, exuding luxury. Even the potted plants in the courtyard are worth a fortune.

Inside, the opulence is even more pronounced, with luxurious items, antique paintings, and sandalwood furniture everywhere.

Each piece, if sold, would be enough to make an ordinary family wealthy for a lifetime.

In the grand hall, the core members of the Ye family are gathered.

Today is the most important day for the Ye family, and everyone is solemnly awaiting the matriarch's instructions.

The matriarch sits on a sandalwood chair below the high platform, dressed in luxurious attire, wearing a festive light red qipao, with a necklace of Emperor Green jade beads worth billions around her neck. Her graying hair is meticulously styled, with a golden hairpin.

Her entire demeanor exudes opulence and grace, embodying the aura of a noblewoman.

Beside her stands a servant who has served her for decades, holding a dragon-headed cane, standing motionless like a statue.

In front of her stand the next generation of core members of the Ye family.

Ye Xianxian

Ye Xianru

Ye Xianhui

And a young man, also present, is Ye Xianru's son, Ye Hao.

Normally, a young man like Ye Hao would not have the qualification to stand here at this time.

A few years ago, after the mysterious death of the Ye family patriarch, the matriarch took control of the entire Ye family.

Unlike the patriarch, the matriarch favored her second son, Ye Xianru, who gave her a grandson.

Therefore, he is allowed to participate in such occasions that do not match his seniority.

The matriarch picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and scanned the descendants in front of her.

Suddenly, she frowned slightly and said lightly, "Why don't I see Changge?"

Ye Xianxian, tall and imposing, wearing an expensive custom-made Italian suit, stood with his hands at his sides. Seeing the matriarch's inquiry, he hurriedly spoke up to cover for his sister, "Mom, little sister has something to handle and might not make it back in time."

Hearing this, the matriarch's already wrinkled face tightened, and she angrily said, "What could be more important than today's banquet?"

"I think she just doesn't respect me as her mother."

The matriarch slammed the table heavily, causing the tea to spill over the surface.

In recent years, Ye Changge has maintained a distant attitude towards the family.

She has always suspected that the patriarch's death was somehow related to the matriarch.

Therefore, she has long harbored resentment towards her mother, rarely returning to this grand estate.

Meanwhile, Ye Xianru and the others, seeing the matriarch's anger, were secretly delighted, waiting to see Ye Xianxian make a fool of himself.

After all, he is the one who always defends his little sister.

"Mom, little sister didn't mean it that way."

Ye Xianxian hurriedly explained.

"Didn't mean it? Then what did she mean?"

"On a day like today, even if she were dead, her body should be here at the Ye family."

The matriarch slammed the table again.

Ye Xianxian initially wanted to explain further, but seeing this, he chose to remain silent.

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Since the patriarch's death and the matriarch's rise to power, he has not been favored by her.

Originally, some of his power in the Ye family was gradually stripped away, and he knew that explaining further was futile.

His little sister's absence would only lead to his mother blaming him entirely, seeing it as a sign of his incompetence.

"If you can't even manage your sister, you shouldn't be involved in today's banquet. Go find your sister and bring her back to see me."

"The task of hosting the guests at the banquet will be handed over to Xianru."

The matriarch said in a heavy tone.

Hearing this, Ye Xianxian's face turned pale, and his spirits sank to the bottom. If he wasn't hosting the banquet this year, he might lose his status in the Ye family.

If Ye Xianru hosts the banquet, it would be easy for outsiders to speculate that the future heir of the Ye family is about to change.

This is precisely the matriarch's intention.

In fact, since the patriarch's death, Ye Xianxian's power has been gradually stripped away over the years.

Until today, he can no longer intervene in the Ye family's business affairs, left only with the empty title of the eldest son.

But it seems the matriarch doesn't even want to leave him with that title.

Standing aside, Ye Xianru was already overjoyed. The future of the Ye family would be dictated by their family.

The matriarch had finally removed the obstacle that was Ye Xianxian.

In the future, whether internally or externally, Ye Xianru would be the primary decision-maker, the representative of the Ye family.

Ye Xianxian suppressed his inner resentment; such things had happened too many times.

He had been forced from the position of the eldest son and heir of the Ye family to having nothing, step by step, by the matriarch.

However, the person in front of him was still his mother, so what could he do?

Ye Xianxian felt a sense of despair, his face stiff as he spoke, "Mom, in that case, I'll go find little sister."

With that, he turned and walked out of the ancient hall, glancing back at the door, knowing he might never have the chance to return here.

Resolute in his heart, he left with no trace of nostalgia.

In front of the matriarch, he dared not show any dissatisfaction.

As the saying goes, "Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs," but this rule doesn't apply to wealthy families. Ye Xianxian knew the truth about the patriarch's death all too well.

Especially as the unfavored eldest son.