"Shameless, what is she even wearing? Daring to show up at our Fu Family's place, doesn't she find it degrading?" Fu Mingzhu muttered under her breath, not caring in the least if anyone overheard her.
Though Fu Mingzhu's voice was soft, it was clear enough in the quiet hall.
All at once, everyone's gazes shot over to this direction.
"Azhu!" Fu Mingzhu's mother, Lin Yuqin, changed her expression and immediately scolded her.
Qiao Zhaoyue's demeanor remained calm, and she was not provoked into embarrassment or anger by Fu Mingzhu's ridicule and mockery. She did not even bother to spare the other party a glance.
"Mom, what did I say wrong? Isn't what she's wearing really tacky?" Fu Mingzhu pointed at the dress Qiao Zhaoyue was wearing and asked, "Even if it's just a family banquet, who would come dressed like this?"
"It's clearly a sign of disrespect towards our Fu Family."
Lin Yuqin furrowed her brows, "Shut up; no matter what, she is your brother's fiancée, the one chosen by your grandfather, so stop talking nonsense."
Fu Mingzhu pouted and snorted, then stayed silent.
"What, so you must be formally dressed to attend a family banquet? I'm curious to know who set such a rule, and furthermore…" Qiao Zhaoyue glanced lightly at Fu Mingzhu, "as the saying goes, one should dress according to their station. Miss Fu, though dressed bright and beautiful, seems to have a character that is rather ordinary."
Fu Mingzhu's eyes widened, "What do you mean by that?"
Qiao Zhaoyue's lips curled slightly, revealing a gentle, shallow smile: "Exactly what it sounds like."
"You!" Fu Mingzhu was so angry her chest heaved violently.
Used to having her way at home, when had she ever suffered such indignity?
"Indeed, I still prefer Sister Ruoyan. She is so much better than you. I really don't understand what Grandfather was thinking…"
Fu Mingzhu wanted to say more, but Lin Yuqin pinched her waist hard.
"Mingzhu, shut up and apologize to your sister-in-law right now," Lin Yuqin said sternly.
This girl really had no filter. Although the issue between Su Ruoyan and Fu Yuxiu was now public knowledge, that didn't mean it was her place, as a younger cousin, to belittle it.
How could Fu Mingzhu possibly apologize? She wanted to argue but wilted under her mother's stern gaze.
"But what I said is true…" Fu Mingzhu's voice grew softer and softer, until Lin Yuqin pushed her towards Qiao Zhaoyue, reluctantly: "I'm sorry."
Qiao Zhaoyue smiled graciously, "Mm, it's okay. After all, you're young and don't know any better. I understand."
Fu Mingzhu: …
This wretched woman, too much to bear, she couldn't help but secretly assess Qiao Zhaoyue.
Just as her mother had said, Qiao Zhaoyue was indeed a fox spirit, a demoness set on bewitching men.
Seeing the gentle smile on Qiao Zhaoyue's face, Fu Mingzhu wished she could tear apart that hypocritical mask.
But remembering that Grandfather would arrive soon, Fu Mingzhu had to forcibly suppress her rage.
Qiao Zhaoyue sat quietly to one side.
Fu Yuxiu watched the scene from not too far away. At first, when he saw Fu Mingzhu making things difficult for Qiao Zhaoyue, he even felt an impulse to stand up for her.
He didn't expect Qiao Zhaoyue to solve the issue with just a few sentences.
Recalling how Qiao Zhaoyue would always act submissive in front of him, Fu Yuxiu furrowed his brows.
What exactly was Qiao Zhaoyue's true face?
After a while, the butler led out the elder Mr. Fu.
"Hello, Grandfather." Everyone greeted him respectfully.
The elder Mr. Fu smiled and nodded his head, then looked around, "Where are Yuxiu and Zhaoyue?"
Qiao Zhaoyue then walked out from among the crowd, "Grandfather Fu, I'm here."
The elder Fu looked at Qiao Zhaoyue and nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad, you truly deserve to be the wife Yuxiu has chosen for our family—beautiful and well-behaved."
Seeing Qiao Zhaoyue calmly accept Elder Fu's praise made Fu Mingzhu roll her eyes disdainfully.
Pretentious.
Qiao Zhaoyue smiled, "Grandfather Fu, you flatter me too much."
Elder Fu laughed heartily and then changed the subject.
After the group had chatted in the living room for a while, Elder Fu suddenly said, "Zhaoyue, come with me."
Qiao Zhaoyue was startled but then nodded her head.
Following Elder Fu into the study, he sat at the desk and gestured for Qiao Zhaoyue to sit down as well.
Qiao Zhaoyue hesitated for a moment, but still took a seat.
"Zhaoyue, do you know why I called you here?" Elder Fu suddenly asked.
"I don't know."
Elder Fu sighed and then spoke slowly, "You and Yuxiu have been engaged for a while now, how do you feel?"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhaoyue was taken aback but showed no change in her expression.
"Quite good, Yuxiu takes good care of me."
As soon as Qiao Zhaoyue spoke, her hoarse voice startled herself—it seemed not all lies worked all the time.
Not to mention that such an intimate name as Yuxiu, she had forgotten how long it had been since she last called him that.
"You don't need to lie to this old man, I may be old, but my eyes still see clearly."
"I was too unwell to attend your engagement ceremony last time, but I've heard quite a bit afterward. He went too far, and you don't have to speak in his defense."
Elder Fu's hands tapped the desk with more force, his voice strong and resolute, not at all like someone who had been ill.
And with those words, how could Qiao Zhaoyue not understand that Elder Fu had merely used this as a pretense to call them over?
There were things that even if she could deceive herself, others could see very clearly.
"Grandfather, as the saying goes, 'Only the foot knows whether the shoe fits or not.'
"Yuxiu does indeed act impulsively at times, but at heart he is good."
Qiao Zhaoyue lowered her head, not daring to meet Elder Fu's gaze, speaking much more slowly and unconsciously fidgeting with her wrist.
She was barely in her early twenties, carrying so much on her own; she wasn't born strong.
But showing weakness in front of strangers only invited them to trample her at any moment. It was only in front of Elder Fu that she showed a bit of the vulnerability her age warranted.
Seeing her like this, Elder Fu sighed deeply and gently patted the back of her hand.
Without saying anything, the compassion in his eyes said it all.
"You are a good child. I always think if I, this old man, can live one more day, I can protect you in this Fu Family for one more day, so I took it upon myself to bind you two together.
"But if that boy acts too recklessly and ruins your lifelong happiness, then I, as an elder, will have wronged you."
"Grandfather, don't talk like that. You are still vigorous and won't have any issues."
Elder Fu waved his hand to indicate she need not comfort him, as the older one gets, the more indifferent one becomes to life and death.
He just couldn't let go of his grandson, nor did he want to delay Qiao Zhaoyue, such a good child. It was just that his grandson was so blind."