Chapter 73: My Fault, Then Shall I Leave?

Shen Yan’s words implied that Qin Miao was meddling in things that didn’t concern her, which left Qin Miao feeling somewhat embarrassed. But she didn’t care anymore. Shen Yan had already brought Ye Yao to the family banquet and seated her at his side; that was humiliation enough.

“Can’t stand the slightest grain of sand in your eye?” Liu Ruyan couldn’t help but laugh when she heard this. “President Shen must hold himself to very high standards, strict to himself and others, isn’t that so?”

Sensing Liu Ruyan’s hostility, Shen Yan narrowed his eyes and retorted, “What does the Lady of the Ye family mean by that?”

Just as it looked like the two were about to clash, the Shen family matriarch was frantically shooting warning glances at Shen Yan. No matter what, the Lady of the Ye family was still an elder, and she hoped for future cooperation between their families, so she wished Shen Yan would tolerate things for now.

“It’s nothing,” Liu Ruyan replied with a faint smile. “I’m just curious. President Shen says he can’t tolerate a grain of sand in his eye—does he think others can? You have one seated beside you and another across from you, yet you allow the one across to target the one at your side. I’m simply curious, President Shen—what exactly is the relationship between you and these two young ladies?”

When she finished, Liu Ruyan looked straight at Shen Yan, utterly unafraid.

Ye Yao was screaming internally: Her mother was truly formidable!

The atmosphere grew tense, and everyone else fell silent, content to watch the drama unfold. They were all curious what could have led to such animosity between the Lady of the Ye family and Shen Yan. The Lady of the Ye family seldom showed herself in public, and now that she had, she seemed determined not to let this younger generation off the hook.

Liu Ruyan smiled again. “Forgive me, I don’t mean to make things difficult for anyone. I just believe that everyone is equal. Earlier, this young lady accused President Shen’s companion of entangling with multiple men, but doesn’t President Shen do the same? Since you’re all involved, shouldn’t you be held to the same standard?”

Liu Ruyan’s defense of Ye Yao drove Qin Miao mad with jealousy. Why? It was everyone’s first meeting—why was Liu Ruyan so good to Ye Yao?

Qin Miao wanted to say more, but the Shen family matriarch’s warning look silenced her.

“Lady Ye, these are just childish jokes; please don’t take offense,” the Shen family matriarch said with a smile, trying to ease the tension. “Let’s not talk about unpleasant things. Come, let’s eat.”

Liu Ruyan nodded; she wasn’t giving face to the Shen matriarch, only that she felt it was enough for now.

Ye Yao looked at Liu Ruyan, unable to stop her lips from curling up in a smile.

While they ate, the Shen matriarch tried every way she could to draw Liu Ruyan into conversation, but not knowing what she had been up to recently, she struggled to find a suitable topic.

“Lady Ye, how have things been at home lately? I heard the young master of the Ye family has just returned from a business trip…”

Liu Ruyan set down her chopsticks. “Yes, boys must shoulder the family responsibilities in the future. It’s only right for them to endure hardship.”

“Indeed, the young masters of the Ye family are both capable and diligent children,” the Shen matriarch replied admiringly.

The two boys of the Ye family were famous for their obedience; they would never dare go against their mother’s wishes. The Shen matriarch couldn’t help but feel envious; one look at Shen Yan, and all she saw was a rebellious thorn, forever at odds with her!

She didn’t know what she had done to deserve this.

“But I still think daughters are better. Daughters are a mother’s little confidantes,” Liu Ruyan said, looking at Ye Yao with a beaming smile. “It’s a pity I don’t have a daughter. I wonder if I could take advantage of this family banquet to adopt a goddaughter?”

At her words, all eyes turned toward her. Some of the young women who had come along to the banquet looked hopeful, but under the warning eyes of their elders, they quickly sobered.

It was clear that Lady Ye was after Ye Yao—no one else stood a chance.

Some understood, but there were always a few who overestimated themselves.

Qin Miao was one of them.

Liu Ruyan was looking to adopt a goddaughter? She had to seize this chance. If she could win over someone even the Shen matriarch wanted to court, it would be a huge leap forward for her.

The Shen matriarch saw Qin Miao’s reaction and immediately realized there had been another misunderstanding. She regretted bringing Qin Miao along; it was truly mortifying.

She shot Qin Miao warning glances, but Qin Miao didn’t even glance her way.

“Lady Ye is right. Daughters truly are a mother’s confidante,” Qin Miao began slowly. “All these years, my mother has always said that having me is the only sweetness in her life, that I am thoughtful, obedient, and understanding.”

Since Liu Ruyan was looking for a confidante, she would offer her mother’s words as proof. She believed Lady Ye would surely be moved.

But after hearing her, Liu Ruyan only frowned in confusion.

“Your mother’s words have nothing to do with me,” Liu Ruyan said with distaste, making no effort to hide the contempt in her eyes. “Perhaps the Qin family has spoiled you too much these years, to the point where you don’t know your place and lack proper manners.”

Her tone dropped below freezing. “I was clearly speaking to the Shen matriarch. What business is it of yours? Why are you interrupting?”

In truth, it wasn’t the first time Qin Miao had interjected in elders’ conversations. From the moment Liu Ruyan arrived, Qin Miao had tried to cozy up, oblivious to the mood, flaunting her petty tricks for all to see.

For Liu Ruyan to hold her temper until now was proof of her forbearance.

Ye Yao watched quietly, relishing the sight of her mother tearing into this pretentious girl.

“Lady Ye is right. Miao Miao, be quiet. Don’t interrupt again,” the Shen matriarch warned.

Lady Ye was her honored guest. If Qin Miao offended her, she’d never return to the Shen family again!

But Qin Miao refused to believe she was in the wrong and protested loudly.

“Aunt Liu, you just said everyone is equal and should be held to the same standard, but now you’re pulling rank as an elder to suppress me. Is this the equality you spoke of?”

The atmosphere became even more strained. Liu Ruyan only sneered coldly.

At that moment, she understood why Ye Yao couldn’t rid herself of Qin Miao. Like a stubborn piece of plaster, she clung to anyone she met.

Now, Liu Ruyan herself was caught up.

“That’s enough! Be quiet!” the Shen matriarch shouted angrily. “Qin Miao, if you say another insolent word, get out!”

Qin Miao looked pitifully at the Shen matriarch, hoping for sympathy, but all she saw was resentment in her eyes.

She tried to compose herself, but she simply couldn’t accept it. She hadn’t done or said anything wrong.

“Aunt Liu, you were the one who said you wanted a daughter as your confidante. I was just explaining the value of daughters. How is it my fault now?” Tears rolled down Qin Miao’s cheeks.

Her folly was in thinking her little tricks could fool everyone, not realizing others had long since seen through them.

“So, it’s all my fault? Then I’ll leave,” Liu Ruyan said, picking up the thread.