Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

Xiahou Shang held Zhang Zhiyi’s hand and instinctively explained to his mother, ”Mom, Zhiyi and I want to focus on our careers first, and once they’re stable, we’ll consider having children.”

”Shut up!” Zhang Yuyao raised her voice and yelled at Xiahou Shang, ”Tell me, are you incapable, and that’s why there’s been no news?”

Xiahou Shang: ”...”

Generally, in most families, if a son and daughter-in-law don’t have children for years after marriage, the mother-in-law would question the daughter-in-law’s fertility.

However, their family was quite unique.

Xiahou Shang felt both ashamed and annoyed, unable to refute but unwilling to admit it either.

Fortunately, a servant came by to announce that everyone had arrived, and the Old Madam and Old Master were ready to head to the banquet hall.

Only then did Zhang Yuyao suppress her anger, stood up, and said to her three troublesome children, ”I’ll let you off for now. Your grandmother’s health has been better lately, so be mindful while eating. Don’t do or say anything wrong to upset her!”

Luo Xiangyue’s influence on the Xiahou Family was undeniable. Both Zhang Yuyao and her husband hoped the mother could live a few more years, preferably until the Continent Lord election was over.

Those who could attend the family banquet were all direct descendants of the Xiahou Family or collateral relatives who had made significant contributions. Yet, when they all gathered, there were over a hundred people.

The Xiahou Family estate was overall of Huizhou architecture, but the family banquet hall was a later addition of luxurious design. In the middle of the spacious banquet hall sat a massive round table that could accommodate 120 people.

Everyone sat together, communicating with measured decorum, creating an atmosphere that was lively yet not chaotic.

Xiahou Huai Gui pushed his mother, who was in a wheelchair, accompanying his father as they made the final entrance.

Seeing the Old Master and Old Madam enter, everyone stood up, ”Family Head, Madam, Young Master.”

”Everyone sit.”

After Xiahou Xiong and Madam Luo Xiangyue sat down, Xiahou Huai Gui also took his seat.

With the entrance of the elderly, the atmosphere in the banquet hall became considerably more reserved and quiet.

Servants began serving dishes, and once they finished, Luo Xiangyue suddenly mentioned something trivial, ”I heard the health bureau is organizing a nationwide public health check-up.”

”Yes, that’s true,” the eldest son Xiahou Huaicai asked Luo Xiangyue, ”Mom, you heard about this too?”

Nodding, Luo Xiangyue said, ”Since it’s nationwide, everyone should go.”

Upon hearing this, many people wore surprised expressions.

A man in his fifties, dismissively said, ”Do we all need to go? We have our own family hospital, and we get regular check-ups every year. There’s no need to participate in the health bureau’s checks.”

Many of them had no intention of going.

The Xiahou Family had its own investment-founded hospital, so anyone feeling unwell didn’t need to go to a public hospital; they could directly get checked at their own hospital.

The health bureau’s equipment might not even be as advanced as their hospital’s.

Upon hearing this, some were about to nod in agreement with that speaker but then noticed the Old Madam slightly raising her eyebrow, sharply gazing at that speaker.

His name was Xiahou Zhuo, the nephew of Xiahou Xiong.

Under the Old Madam’s silent stare, Xiahou Zhuo, who had wrinkles on his face, suddenly felt his legs go weak. ”Aunt, did I say something wrong?”

The banquet hall was unbelievably quiet; everyone could see that the Old Madam was angry.

Luo Xiangyue asked Xiahou Zhuo, ”Xiahou Zhuo, do you understand what the word ’nationwide’ represents?”

Xiahou Zhuo vaguely realized what mistake he had made.

Luo Xiangyue coldly stated, ”Nationwide means that within the borders of the Xia Country, all citizens under the leadership of the Xia Country Alliance Government have no exceptions. Whether it’s me or anyone else.”

Luo Xiangyue frowned and asked Xiahou Zhuo, ”Who gave you the illusion that being part of the Xiahou Family grants you the privilege of skipping a health check-up?”

Xiahou Zhuo’s face turned pale.

Meanwhile, the other relatives tensed up, not daring to breathe heavily.

When Luo Xiangyue was angry, Xiahou Xiong typically chose to remain invisible. He also felt that some in the family didn’t quite grasp their own status and deserved a proper warning.