Chapter 1209: 715 Banquet_2

Chapter 1209: Chapter 715 Banquet_2

Especially for Mo Hua, who came from a Loose Cultivator background.

The world is vast, but eating is paramount.

Since it was a banquet, he thought it best to enjoy the meal in peace.

Sons of noble families paid attention to etiquette, conversing while exchanging pleasantries with feigned sincerity.

Mo Hua and Yu Er, however, focused solely on the feast, eating heartily.

But as they ate, Mo Hua suddenly sensed another gaze aimed towards them.

It was quite harsh and filled with discontent.

When Mo Hua looked, he noticed in the seat of honor a female Elder, dressed in green, her face heavily made up, gazing malevolently at Aunt Wan, lost in thought about something.

Mo Hua continued chewing on his chicken leg, silently keeping an eye on her.

The family banquet continued. The dishes were delicious and the clinking of cups could be heard; outwardly, everything appeared harmonious, but there was an underlying sense of estrangement.

Finally, after an unknown length of time, as Mo Hua drank fruit wine, he felt an aversion arise, followed by the female Elder asking the person next to her:

“I’ve heard that Miss Wan of the Wenren family is also here at the Gu Family. Forgive my poor eyesight, but who might she be?”

Her voice was perfectly moderated, neither too loud to appear rude, nor too soft, ensuring everyone could hear.

It was clearly a question asked with ulterior motives.

Wenren Wan set Yu Er down, rose gracefully, and greeted the female Elder with courtesy.

The green-dressed female Elder feigned surprise, remained seated, and pretended to speak warmly:

“I come from a great family in Qian State, the legitimate daughter of the Shen Family, married to the Shangguan Family not long ago. I have often heard of Miss Wan, but have never met her, so curiosity got the better of me. I hope you won’t mind my rudeness.”

Wenren Wan nodded slightly.

The female Elder then reined in her smile slightly and put on airs, “By lineage, I should be your aunt.”

Wenren Wan was already slightly displeased but managed to restrain herself and respectfully said:

“Aunt.”

“Hmm.” The female Elder agreed with a smile, then sighed, “Don’t blame your aunt. You’ve seldom been home, making it hard for us to meet, thus breeding unfamiliarity.”

“But speaking of which…” The female Elder gave Wenren Wan a slight glance and bluntly said, “Mr. Yi, after all, is the next Family Head, and you, the Family Head’s wife. Staying at the Gu Family all the time, what does that signify? Could it be… you hold the Shangguan Family in disregard?”

Wenren Wan’s face turned slightly pale.

The atmosphere in the room cooled a bit.

Just as Wenren Wan was about to speak, Shangguan Yi stood up, speaking warmly:

“Wan’er stays at the Gu Family to take care of Yu Er.”

“Yu Er has been frail since childhood. To strengthen his body and nurture his root, he was sent to Taixu Gate for cultivation at a very young age.”

“Mother and Son are connected, and worried about Yu Er’s dedication to cultivation, Wan’er remained here, both to care for and supervise him.”

“Moreover, near the Qian Learning State Boundary, the Shangguan Family, Gu Family, and Wenren Family all have many Tao Cultivation industries, which Wan’er manages…”

The female Elder saw the couple’s affection and gave Wenren Wan a critical once-over, maliciously smiling and saying:

“With such a gentle appearance and inner wisdom, you indeed are a great beauty. No wonder Mr. Yi is so devoted, speaking for you wherever possible, and yielding to your every wish. It’s truly enviable.”

With these words, the expressions of everyone present changed.

It was an insinuation that Shangguan Yi, as the young master of the Shangguan Family, was blinded by beauty and unable to be a capable leader due to his wife’s influence.

Shangguan Yi’s expression changed slightly.

Some people secretly glanced at Shang Che, the Family Head, at the head seat.

After all, Shangguan Yi was Shang Che’s only son.

However, Shang Che’s expression remained calm, seeming indifferent to his son’s criticism.

Gu Changhuai frowned, seeing Wenren Wan standing alone, facing the criticisms of the Shangguan Family, and immediately wanted to stand.

But in the blink of an eye, a sharp gaze turned towards him.

It was Gu Shouyan, the Master of the Gu Family.

Gu Changhuai’s expression was stubborn, repeatedly wanting to speak but ultimately unable to defy the Family Master, could only sit down with resignation.

Gu Changhuai also understood that speaking up would be futile and only worsen the situation.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Yi feigned composure, but his heart sank.

He realized that the more he defended Wan’er and Yu Er, the more they might be criticized.

And it seemed he was too emotionally attached and indecisive.

Though he indeed was emotionally attached, others’ opinions mattered little.

But he couldn’t bear his wife and children being implicated.

The female Elder from the Shen Family, seeing the situation, showed a faint smile and turned her gaze to Yu Er, shaking her head and saying:

“Noble family’s son should practice etiquette by age three, maintaining decorum in all actions, not overstepping the bounds.”

“How can there be a child like this one, acting so cheerfully without restraint before elders, running about recklessly without any decorum, who attends family banquets only to eat and drink…”

The female Elder regrettably said, “With this, I fear this good child might be led astray.”

Yu Er, being scolded in front of everyone, suddenly felt at a loss, shrinking behind his mother’s back.

Seeing this, Wenren Wan’s heart ached, and she became furious, her gaze cooling. Just as she was about to retort, she noticed Shangguan Yi’s concerned look.

She immediately understood.

The female Elder from the Shen Family, as an elder, said these sly words as if they were guidance.

As a junior, it was better to tolerate it.

If she couldn’t bear it and retorted, the consequences would be more severe, not only branding her as ‘disrespectful to elders’ but also implicating Yu Er, branding him as ‘ill-mannered.’

Because she was the mother, and Yu Er was raised by her.