C4 4

"Do you really think you'll gain any favors by helping her? Snap out of it. She's nothing but a stray the Ming family took in." The man halted, his beautiful eyes lifting as his dark gaze slid toward Zhao Xuexian. It was only a casual look, yet it sent a chill through her, as if she had been plunged into ice. In that instant, Zhao Xuexian felt as though her throat were being squeezed tight, leaving her unable to breathe. What was he trying to do? Just then, the man smiled, his voice low and pleasant. "To insult an adopted child so brazenly, the Ming family's conduct is nothing short of astonishing." Zhao Xuexian's face went pale, cold sweat breaking out across her skin. Those words. With so many guests at the banquet, if they spread, could the Ming family still keep its footing in Shen City? If Ming Chengkang heard this, he would surely beat her. Zhao Xuexian's mind spun with only two questions: Who was this man, and what should she do now? Jiang Yining was startled and looked up at the man again. Was he standing up for her? But they were strangers, so why would he help her? "Hmm? Why has everyone stopped dancing and enjoying themselves?" At that moment, Ming's father walked in from outside, smiling broadly, clearly in an excellent mood. Beside him was a strikingly handsome young man. A collective gasp rose from the room as someone blurted, "It's Lyi Beiting." The second young master of the Lyi family, one of Shen City's three great elite families, was only 26 and had already taken over two-thirds of the family's business. He was the Lyi family's true power. Ming Chengkang and his wife escorted Lyi Beiting inside, and Ming Chengkang's gaze immediately landed on the shattered porcelain on the floor. His expression darkened. Zhao Xuexian's eyes flickered as her thoughts raced, and in an instant she had a plan. Before Ming Chengkang could speak, she rushed forward, pointed at Jiang Yining and the man, and shouted, "Uncle, they smashed your celadon vase." As long as the blame fell on Jiang Yining and the man, there was no need to fear the Ming family's hypocrisy becoming the talk of the town.

Everyone would assume the man was simply trying to avoid paying compensation by slandering the Ming family. Zhao Xuexian thought herself quite clever. Ming's father’s brow twitched. He first shot a quick glance at the man, then turned his gaze to Jiang Yining, irritation surging through him. At such a critical juncture, this embarrassing incident had to occur. In the presence of Lyi Beiting and the other guests, even though he was devastated about the shattered blue-and-white porcelain vase, he could not afford to be petty and publicly blame Jiang Yining. Blaming her would be futile anyway. She had been brought back from the countryside; even if he killed her, she could not compensate for the loss. With that in mind, he decided it was better to present himself as a good father in front of Lyi Beiting. As he pondered, Zhao Xuexian, unable to hold back any longer, blurted out, "Uncle. This blue-and-white porcelain vase is worth over a million. Today, you must make this little tramp—" Ming's father barked sharply, "Xuexian, mind your language." Zhao Xuexian’s shoulders shuddered, and she immediately fell silent. Ming's father forced a stiff smile as he summoned a server to tidy up the debris. "It is just a decorative vase. If it is broken, it is broken. Have someone clean it up. Everyone, please continue enjoying yourselves. Do not let this minor incident spoil the fun. Second Young Master Lyi, my apologies. Right this way, please." With the host having spoken, the banquet attendees naturally would not cause him any loss of face. As the crowd was about to disperse, a cool, indisputable voice rose slowly. "You, apologize to me."

​