Chapter 130: The Matriarch's Drastic Measure

Su Weimin’s outrageous remarks instantly sparked shock.

The Matriarch raised her hand, pointing directly at Ye Tianlin, her face filled with bewilderment. Jiang Yingxia stood where she was, stunned into silence; she never expected such words to spill from Su Weimin’s mouth. Most crucially, judging by the look on the Matriarch’s face, she actually seemed to believe Su Weimin’s fabrication, her expression shifting into one of sudden realization.

"Hahaha, so that’s it! So that’s how it is!"

"I was wondering why things were so strange. With your meager abilities, how could you possibly stir up such a storm!"

"It turns out that from start to finish, you are merely a puppet placeholder for the Master of the Shangjing Consortium, holding no real power at all!"

With that, the Matriarch threw her head back and laughed.

Su Weimin bowed again, trembling as he said, "Matriarch, we are all family. There is no need to make things so unpleasant. No one knows Ye Tianlin’s situation better than I do. I beg you to show mercy and let Ye Tianlin return to the clan!"

"Shut up! Who is family with you?" The Matriarch backhanded him, delivering a sharp slap across his face.

Caught off guard, Su Weimin tumbled onto his backside. He was so ashamed that his face turned beet red; he could not even utter a sound, cursing his luck internally.

The Matriarch then narrowed her eyes with contempt and said gloomily, "Ye Tianlin, now that I know the truth, I want to see how you intend to fight me next!"

Ye Tianlin was speechless. He never imagined things would take such a turn; the fact that the Matriarch could believe such unreliable nonsense from Su Weimin was beyond him.

Unfortunately, lies remain lies, and the truth cannot be overturned.

Deciding to play along, Ye Tianlin raised an eyebrow and asked, "I wonder, Matriarch, what are your plans now?"

The Matriarch spoke with full confidence, "The Shangjing Consortium went to such great lengths, surely it was for profit, and surely it was to force the Ye Clan to become a subordinate family?"

She paused for a moment before continuing, "The Shangjing Consortium must know that given my style, I would never choose to compromise and let the Ye Clan become a subordinate. That is why they have been throwing all their support behind you from the shadows."

"But everything is different now. As long as I personally take the lead and submit to the Shangjing Consortium, the trouble will naturally resolve itself. I want to see what use you, a puppet, will have then, and whether you can be more important than an old woman like me!"

Hearing this, Ye Tianlin couldn't help but burst into laughter!

He had expected the Matriarch to come up with some brilliant move to turn the tables. Instead, she had chosen this path—completely hoodwinked by Su Weimin’s ridiculous deception without even realizing it. It was utterly hilarious!

Submit to the Shangjing Consortium?

If Ye Tianlin did not give his consent, it would be absolutely impossible for the Ye Clan to do so. It was pure fantasy!

"You brat, what are you laughing at?" The Matriarch glared at him.

Ye Tianlin shook his head with a smile and said, "Nothing, nothing. Matriarch, your strategy of drawing the firewood from under the cauldron is truly so unexpected that I can’t help but force a smile!"

Su Rulan stood to the side, biting her lip to suppress her laughter, her face flushed red.

Just at this moment, Su Weimin stood up and said, "Ye Tianlin, stop grinning! The Ye Clan is the best place for you. The Shangjing Consortium is not your true foundation. You had best apologize to the Matriarch immediately and stop acting out. I don’t want to be misunderstood by her like this forever!"

Seeing this, Ye Tianlin simply tilted his head slightly and scoffed, "This isn't my fault, so why should I apologize? I won't!"

"Are you out of your mind? How can you be so stubborn to her face? The Matriarch is your own grandmother; there is no reason to defy your elders!" Su Weimin was frantic, cursing him a hundred times over in his heart.

Jiang Yingxia, sensing the situation going south, signaled frantically and said, "Su Rulan, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and persuade Tianlin before this blows up!"

Su Rulan hesitated for a moment, then took Ye Tianlin’s arm and said, "This is truly not Tianlin’s fault. He shouldn't have to just take this lying down, so I support him!"

"I was just starting to think you had changed, are you trying to kill me with anger?" Jiang Yingxia’s mouth twitched; she wanted nothing more than to kick Su Rulan.

Su Weimin, trembling more violently, turned to the Matriarch, cupped his hands in a bow, and pleaded, "Matriarch, please calm your anger. I will do everything in my power to make this fellow see reason. Please give me some time!"

"I don't have that kind of time. Since Ye Tianlin is not the true Master, I have nothing to worry about. What I find most ridiculous is that you would rather be a puppet for an outsider than accept my arrangements. Then just wait to pay the price!" The Matriarch spoke with ironclad certainty.

Ye Tianlin smiled and said, "I’ll be waiting to see!"