"Lu Family?" Zhong Niangyao frowned, somewhat puzzled, "Why would the Lu Family invite us to attend Old Madam Lu's birthday banquet? As I recall, our families don't seem to have had much interaction!"
Indeed, the Zhong Family was also considered prestigious in the Imperial Capital, with deep roots, but they were still only second-tier wealthy family. In the face of the colossal Lu Family, they were completely insignificant.
The Lu Family could almost be considered the number one family in the whole Hua Country. Old Master Lu had been a soldier in his youth, fought against invaders, and made tremendous contributions to the peace of Hua Country. Later, he held a very high position in the military. Although he is now retired, he still has a high reputation and great influence in both political and military circles.
The next generation of the Lu Family was also outstanding. The eldest son of the Lu Family did not join the military but had entered politics, reportedly as the deputy of the top leader. The second son had joined the military and also held a significant position. The Fourth Young Master of the Lu Family was in business, and his ventures had grown substantially.
Such a big family, the Zhongs really didn't have much connection with. In the past, the Lu Family had never sent an invitation to the Zhongs. But now, not only did they invite the Zhong Family to a banquet, but they also invited the whole family.
This seemed rather strange by any measure. When something is amiss, there's a demon at work.
"What do you mean by that?" Zhong Mengxuan looked at Zhong Niangyao with displeasure in her eyes, "Niangyao, you are also a member of our Zhong Family. Are you looking down on your own family?"
"I never said such a thing, I just find it strange," Zhong Niangyao replied calmly, without getting angry, "Previously, the Lu Family never sent any invitations our way. Why do it this time? Or do you think this is a normal occurrence? Besides, I was just voicing the doubts in my mind, with no intention of disrespecting the Zhong Family."
"You—" Zhong Mengxuan was speechless with frustration, unable to find any words to retort.
"All right, let's not argue," Old Sir Zhong said with a smile, "Actually, the reason we received the invitation this time is all thanks to Jing Hao."
"It's because Jing Hao facilitated our cooperation with the Fourth Young Master of the Lu Family, so they sent us an invitation," Zhong Minghao said with evident pride, adding smoothly, "Now we're business partners with the Lu Family, so naturally, we would receive an invitation."
Zheng Silin, who was beside them, didn't say anything, but the pride was unmistakable on her face.
In contrast, Zhong Mingyu and Li Yiqiu, though smiling, had a tinge of discontent beneath their smiles.
Zhong Niangyao, who had been observing quietly, raised an eyebrow, her mind clear.
The main branch and the second branch of the family had always been competing. Her father had disappeared, so now the successor of the Zhong Family was naturally to be chosen from the sons of the eldest and second uncles. Elder son Zhong Minghao had one major advantage over Second Uncle Zhong Mingyu – he had fathered Zhong Jinghao, the only male of the third generation in the Zhong Family.
Now that Zhong Jinghao had also facilitated the partnership between the Zhongs and the Lu Family, he had really made a name for himself in front of his grandfather. The second branch, of course, was not content. After all, the successor to the Zhong Family had not yet been determined!
Her heart was also clear, although her grandparents' affection for her was genuine, deep down they still harbored the old generation's thinking that the family business should be passed on to a boy.
So, in the battle for succession, the main branch held a significant advantage. However—
As if she had discovered something, Zhong Niangyao's gaze suddenly fell on Li Yiqiu. Her eyes made a round trip, carrying a trace of astonishment.
"Zhong Niangyao, what are you doing?" Seemingly finding a target for her frustration, Zhong Mengxuan raised her voice at Zhong Niangyao, "Why are you staring at my mom? Don't you have any manners?"
She had always found Zhong Niangyao displeasing, believing that having such a family member was sheer misfortune. Especially seeing how Niangyao pursued Li Jingming, who was a bastard child, she felt even more disdainful.
Thus, she had never spared her snide comments. Now, seeing Zhong Niangyao staring rudely at her mother, she naturally was very unhappy.
Li Yiqiu was also displeased, but with Old Master Zhong and Old Madam Zhong present, and aware of their protection of Zhong Niangyao, she could only scold softly, "Mengxuan, don't speak rashly."
"Mom, I—" Zhong Mengxuan was unhappy, but before she could say more, she was interrupted by Zhong Niangyao.
At the same time, the words that Zhong Niangyao uttered dropped like a bomb among them, catching everyone off guard.
"I wasn't really looking at anything," Zhong Niangyao shrugged nonchalantly and spoke casually, "I just wanted to congratulate Second Aunt on her pregnancy, that's all."