The atmosphere at the Guo family's banquet became somewhat peculiar with the arrival of Madam Jiang and her daughter, even though Madam Guo remained warmly attentive and Madam Jiang was all smiles, the female guests could not help becoming a bit more restrained.
There was no helping it, both the Jiang family and the Guo family hailed from the distinguished Duke residence in Beijing, carrying too high a status for any of the other families to afford offending. In the light of the apparent discord between the two families, everyone dared not speak rashly, fearing they might offend one or the other.
Madam Guo was aware of what was on everyone's minds. Although she wore a smile, internally she had already cursed the uninvited Jiang mother and daughter countless times.
