The Swapped Master's Bride And Her Bad Luck System.-Chapter 7: Old Tai vs Elder Zhang.

Dragon mountain in Beijing was shaped exactly as it was named. It had been designed by Tai Alix and constructed by the construction company owned by her husband’s family. This was before he retired and decided to focus on raising their children.

It had ridges that curled like scales, peaks that rose like horns, dragon statues at the entrances and different corners. It was a private estate, with twenty-three buildings, each one hundred stories high.

All the residents there were either system hosts, rich and tied to system hosts or ordinary but in a special class of people that needed protection.

At its heart was one large manor that stood alone, the shared home of the Zhang and Tai families in the compound. They had individual homes, but this one was a home for all. The place where they came together in times like these.

It was alive with voices, for the two families had gathered under its arched wings: Tai Liwu’s maternal clan, proud, large, loud and reckless and the paternal clan, proud, stern and ambitious. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

At the head of each side sat the great grandparents, the patriarchs who had lived long enough to witness the birth of the first smart phone, the war against the first rogue system host code named Genesis, alliances, betrayals, and the births of countless grandchildren.

The paternal patriarch, Elder Zhang or the first elder of the first branch of the Zhang family was booming with laughter. His excitement was tangible. His life’s mission was to see to it that all of his descendants married into families that stood on equal ground to them or were above them. It is why he firmly believed in settling engagements while the children were still young.

Before they started to believe in foolish ideas like fairy tale love and equality in romance. Before they rebelled and ruined the foundation of the family.

He had long wanted to forge a marriage alliance with the Shen’s. They were the descendants of Shen Xiaoping, once the wealthiest man in the country. Now, they had a whole city which they run independently in conjunction with the government! They had reclaimed most of the assets of Shen Xiaoping and multiplied them.

Elder Zhang did not care that some of the Shen’s considered Tai Alix, his granddaughter-in-law a sworn enemy. To him, the past was dust; the future was opportunity.

Across the hall sat the maternal patriarch of the Tai family, Old Tai. His sharp eyes missed nothing. He was juggling three small round bubbles filled with water. A reminder to everyone that he was a system host who could control the seas.

If the bubbles, did not give this away, the golden trident leaning against the table did. As did the merman tail, he had opted to show off, despite being able to go around with two feet like a normal human!

Old Tai’s lips curled in disdain at Elder Zhang’s enthusiasm. For decades the two had competed over small things in the business world, like auctions and opinions on the economy. They had lucked out by not crossing paths in business. The Zhang’s were mainly in construction and the Tai’s were heavily invested in jewelry.

Their biggest conflict was the naming of the grandchildren. Old Tai insisted on all the female great grandchildren bearing the Tai name because their mother Tai Alix was his granddaughter and Elder Zhang disagreed because the children’s father Zhang Caishen was his grandson.

Whenever the two met, Old Tai could not hide his displeasure. Tonight, he was leaning close to his wife, whispering mocking comments about Elder Zhang’s eagerness.

"Look at him," Old Tai muttered, his voice dripping with scorn. "Grinning like an idiot ready to sell any of my granddaughters to the highest bidder."

His wife sighed. "I thought you were excited for the alliance." She patted his scales, urging him to remain calm.

Old Tai snorted. "Just marriage, not alliance. The marriage alliance guarantees peace for the world, or so the government is claiming. Which is a win. I want great great granddaughters, so that is also a win. But this hangs on the marriage being a happy one. I will not force my babies into a fire pit just to satisfy my selfish needs. That is why I called for this meeting. We need to hear from the three girls personally if they are willing to marry.

But that old fool, he does not care about that. He just wants to see the marriage over and done with. Then, the Zhang group can spread its wings into One city.

We have to be realistic; beauty will not erase blood feuds. Look at way he is guzzling that wine, like a thirsty dog in the middle of summer. No etiquette at all."

His wife sighed.

Elder Zhang, oblivious or pretending not to hear, raised his glass of wine and toasted to the gathering.

Old Tai snorted. "And I called for a family meeting. Who thought it was a great idea to invite all these government and Bureau officials? I saw press vans down on the mountain when I arrived. I bet it’s that old bastard, he cannot wait to show off."

His wife groaned. "Quit complaining. People are looking our way!"

"What people?" Old Tai looked around, oblivious to the eyes of the Bureau officials who were eavesdropping.

Caishen cleared his throat and stood up.

Elder Zhang gestured for him to sit down and he stood up. "Everyone, thank you for dropping whatever you were doing and answering my call to attend this gathering."

Old Tai gasped. "I called this meeting. Stop stealing my credit."

A lot of voices groaned.

Elder Zhang continued like Old Tai had not spoken. "We will not waste your time on pointless arguing or unnecessary speeches. Our reason for gathering today is the proposed marriage alliance. One city has sent word that the groom will be Shen Weifeng, the second son of Shen Deng and Xu Zhiyi. The city master is his older brother. He is the right-hand man...."

"Must you share all these details?" Old Tai moaned. "We don’t need his biography. This is why I was the one that called for this meeting. It is because I can control my mouth. I am voting for Tai Liwu to be bride. But only if they promise not to make her cry. If she is bullied, I will bring the sea and bury One city. They must sign a contract.... say one year. If Liwu has not found happiness, the marriage can be annulled."

Alix nodded.

"You want to send Liwu!" Caishen whispered in horror. "Are you trying to kill the groom at the altar?"

Many voices rose in protest.