Chapter Fourteen: A War of Words

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  Ye Qinglan sat quietly without making a sound, and the others didn't pay much attention to her. But upon closer inspection, it was discovered that this quiet little younger sister was actually quite beautiful.

  She was so used to being bullied on a daily basis that when Ye Qingfu unjustly vented her anger on her, she didn't get angry at all, but instead smiled.

  Her smile was gentle and warm, her eyes were soft and calm. In comparison, Ye Qingfu's overbearing appearance wasn't so pleasant to the eye: "Why aren't you speaking up?"

  Ye Qinglan smiled slowly and said: "After staying in Zhengzhou for so long, it's rare to return to Beijing, I'm happy to see all of you sisters, naturally I would smile. What, Second Sister thinks I shouldn't be smiling?"

  These words were smooth and orderly, with a subtle sharpness.

  Ye Qingfu was choked for a moment, her heart gnashing her teeth in annoyance. Just then, she couldn't find the right words to retort, and her face turned bright red with suppressed anger.

  Everyone is watching with relish and no one is mediating.

  Ye Qingfu looked even more embarrassed and flustered. If it were in a different setting, she would have already exchanged harsh words with her. But at this moment, it was a family banquet, and all the elders were present...

  Ye Qingning finally looked at Ye Qinglan with a straight eye. His gaze paused for a moment on Ye Qinglan's white and clean face, before moving away as if nothing had happened.

  Fortunately, the meal finally began, and the maids were busy serving their masters. The sound of bowls and chopsticks was endless. The awkward and cold atmosphere finally came to an end.

  Ye Qing's chest felt tight and she couldn't swallow this breath. The bowl was piled high, but she sat there with a stiff face, not even moving her chopsticks.

  Ye Qinglan ate very quickly.

  The food at the relay station was tasteless and bland, having eaten it for several days in a row, my mouth felt so dry that it was almost bitter. With such a table of delicious dishes with full color, fragrance and flavor placed before me, not eating would be unforgivable to myself.

  Just now she had confronted Ye Qingfu and didn't regret it one bit.

  Swallowing one's breath and compromising once or twice is fine, but it's absolutely impossible to do so every time. It's also time to show some color and let Ye Qingfu take a look, otherwise she'll be making progress inch by inch in the future!

  With Ye Qingfu's personality, she would endure until the end of the family banquet before going to find Xue Shi to tattle. She probably still had a tough battle ahead and needed to eat her fill and gather her strength for now.

  The table quickly became lively and bustling.

  Yat Tung's sister Yip Ching-yau smiled and said, "Sixth sister, three days later is grandfather's birthday. Is your gift ready?"

  Ye Qingning replied calmly: "It's always the same every year, what's there to prepare for?" But a hint of pride flashed in her eyes.

  Who doesn't know that the sixth young lady of Changyuan Bo's mansion has a high and wonderful qin art? Looking at the entire capital, there are only a few noble ladies of the same age who can be mentioned together with her. Even if she plays a casual tune, it will shock the four seats.

  Ye Qingrou smiled and covered her mouth with a handkerchief: "Sixth sister, it's different this year!" But she didn't say what was different.

  Ye Qingning obviously understood the deep meaning hidden in her words, and a hint of shyness flashed in his eyes as he glanced at her. Ye Qingrou knew her temper best, so she smiled and changed the subject.

  These sentences are nonsense and confusing, leaving listeners bewildered.

  Ye Qinglan was used to being a psychologist, most skilled at observing and guessing. Unconsciously, she started to make guesses. Ye Qingrou smiled ambiguously and cunningly, while Ye Qingning appeared to be angry on the surface but actually had hidden joy in her eyes. The two of them were openly talking about their grandfather's birthday, but the real focus was not that at all.

  Ye Qinglan's eyes flashed with inspiration, and the corners of her mouth slightly curled up.

  Ye Qingning was already fourteen years old, which is equivalent to a middle school student in modern times. However, at that time, she had reached the age of marriage. On Changyuan Bo Ye Sheng's 60th birthday, many female relatives must have come to congratulate him. This was a great opportunity for her to show off...

  A loud noise came from behind the bamboo curtain.

  The men were drinking and chatting with great enthusiasm, while the women had already put down their chopsticks and started chatting casually.

  Xue rarely had a chance to speak, most of the time just smiled and listened quietly.

  "Li smiled and said: 'Elder sister-in-law, these days must have been hard on you.'"

  Changyuan Bo's 60th birthday is no small matter, just the guest list for the banquet is a thick stack, let alone the trivial matters. Jiangshi handed over all these trivial matters to his eldest daughter-in-law, Zhengshi, who has been busy for nearly half a month. Lishi assisted on the side, but was much more leisurely.

  But this leisure also means that Li does not have the right to preside over Zhongyu.

  Zheng smiled faintly and said, "This is my own duty, it's not a matter of being hardworking or not. Instead, I should thank you for sharing my worries." She lightly stabbed Li with her words.

  Li smiled and continued as if nothing had happened: "Right, the young master of the Zheng Guo Gong Fu has also returned!"

  Zheng was the second daughter of Zheng Guo Gong Fu, and her elder brother, Zheng Yun, was the heir to the title. Her older sister married into Ding Guo Gong's family, while her younger sister became a noble consort in the palace. The Zheng family was truly prominent. In comparison, Zheng's marriage to Changyuan Bo Fu could be considered a downward match.

  As soon as Zheng Yun was mentioned, a sincere smile appeared on Zheng's face.

  Zheng Yun and his wife will naturally come, and their nephew Zheng Junyan will also come together.

  Zheng Junyan is fifteen years old this year and has been studying at the Imperial Academy for two years. He is a student of the contemporary great Confucian scholars, with outstanding talent and good looks. He is one of the most popular young nobles in the capital city and also the best candidate for son-in-law among many noblewomen. Whenever there are unmarried daughters in a family, they can't help but think of such a young man when considering marriage.

  Li glanced at Zheng with a hint of a smile and said: "Speaking of which, Ning is not young anymore. Eldest sister-in-law should also start worrying about her lifelong event. This time, since there are many guests coming and going for Grandfather's birthday celebration, it would be good to bring Ning along to meet the guests as well."

  Zheng obviously didn't want to talk about it anymore and changed the subject with a casual smile: "Don't just mention Ning'er, I remember that Ruo Jie is not young either!"

  Ye Qingrou and Ye Qingning were born in the same year, only half a year apart. Although Ye Qingning had reached the age of marriage, wasn't Ye Qingrou also?

  Li's eyes flashed and she smiled: "Yes, when the time comes, please trouble Big Sister to bring Rong'er along when going out to see guests!"

  The eligible bachelors in the Zheng Guo Gong Fu, apart from Zheng Junyan, naturally included two or three others. Even if they couldn't compare to Zheng Junyan, they were still quite good.

  It would be even better if she could catch the eye of the young master's wife from the Dingguo Duke's estate. Who doesn't know that there is a nearly twenty-year-old, yet unmarried, renowned Fourth Master Gu in the Dingguo Duke's estate?

  It was only natural that Zheng couldn't decline, and just as she was about to nod in agreement, Xue interjected with a smile: "Second Aunt is right. It's also good for the children to experience this kind of occasion."

  Obviously wants Ye Qingfu to show up too.

  Zheng looked at Xue with a face full of expectation and responded faintly.

  Xue's face lit up with joy...