Mrs. Qiao was still annoyed at the attitude of this unknown girl when she heard what Lin Man Ru said, and her expression inevitably changed.
She's actually Miss Jiang Li from the Jiang Family?!
But Jiang Li, whom she met before, always wore heavy makeup and had a fiery temper that didn't resemble the current delicate beauty with snow-like skin and an elegant demeanor, speaking in an organized manner.
Surprised as she was, she quickly straightened her back and continued sarcastically:
"Jiang Li, this is a matter between your mother and me. It's not your place to interfere. Go back to your room and mind your own business!"
Jiang Li smiled faintly and held back her mother, who was about to speak.
"Mrs. Qiao, that is where you are wrong."
"Though I am younger, I am still the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiang Family. My father passed away early, so naturally, the responsibilities of this house also fall onto my shoulders. Now that outsiders have set their sights on our home, I, as a member of the Jiang Family, cannot sit idly by."
"I believe the principle of 'shared fortune and misfortune' is clearer to everyone here than to a junior like me?"
Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
At the same time, they were also shocked by the change in Jiang Li.
Her reputation as the eldest daughter was well known; she had been causing trouble for the Jiang Family since middle school, dropping out of high school to hang out with questionable people.
Eventually, Old Sir Jiang forced her to attend a low-ranked university, which quieted things down for a while.
Recently, during Old Sir Jiang's return to his hometown for ancestral rites, she became uncontrollable, even targeting a young man from the merchant family.
Clinging desperately in various situations, she even threatened to run away from home, nearly ruining the reputation of the entire Jiang Family in the Capital.
Unexpectedly, today she had completely changed her usual behavior; not only was she dressed appropriately and looked stunning, but she was even starting to consider her family's interests.
This made Mrs. Qiao seem to lack the dignity expected of an elder.
"Right, Mrs. Qiao, why are you having a dispute with a junior? After all, she's the eldest daughter of the Jiang Family; protecting her own mother is justified, isn't it?"
"Yeah, and you came straight in asking for shares. Shares of Jiang Group are extremely difficult to secure in the market. Your actions do seem a bit over the line."
"Miss Jiang is right, as a member of the Jiang Family, she naturally has to consider the Jiang Family's interests."
"..."
Listening to the surrounding discussions, Mrs. Qiao's face turned pale, and then she hugged her daughter and pretended to be pitiful.
"So what should I do? My daughter has already suffered enough in this marriage. You all know what kind of person Jiang Yan is; a Casanova. My daughter has endured so much mockery and sorrow just to participate in this engagement party, and then she was stood up."
"If so, let this marriage be annulled." Jiang Li said.
"What?!" Both families were shocked.
Jiang Li's casual remark had stirred up a great commotion, causing even Lin Man Ru to hurriedly intervene:
"Lili, we cannot call off this marriage; it was arranged by your grandfather. You know your brother's temperament; Miss Qiao is a good match after all."
It wasn't that she didn't want to find a better family for her son, but in the entire Capital, aside from the Qiao Family, no other family was willing to marry their daughter into theirs.
Jiang Li's gaze fell upon Qiao Shuang, who was quietly sobbing beside Mrs. Qiao.
"A good match? Not necessarily."
In her previous life, the downfall of the entire Jiang family had started from the moment Qiao Shuang married into their family.
Jiang Yan, forced into a marriage with someone he did not love, had indulged in drinking all day and ultimately regarded Su Yinwan, the female protagonist, as an unattainable first love, leading him to a point of no return in revenge orchestrated by Shang Shaojing.
Her mother, trying to make up for the neglected Qiao Shuang, had repeatedly sent huge sums of money to the Qiao family, unconditionally filling the bottomless pit, only to be turned around and taken advantage of when the Qiao family took hold of the shares.
Qiao Shuang was even worse; not only did she capitalize on her grievances to manipulate her mother, but she also colluded with outsiders and ran off with money during the Jiang family's crisis, pushing the entire family into the abyss.
She absolutely refused to let such a person of poor character enter the Jiang family's doors.
Thinking of this, Jiang Li deliberately raised her voice and said,
"Mother, we have already gone above and beyond for the Qiao family. If not for Grandfather, they would have gone bankrupt and wouldn't even be able to stay in the Capital by now. Since brother is reluctant and they are unwilling as well, we might as well forget it."
"We can't just let it go!" Mrs. Qiao said, trembling with anger, "Why should you decide to end the marriage or break it off just like that? Where would Shuangshuang place her face, where would our Qiao family place our face?!"
Jiang Li scoffed lightly, "It's the 21st century; does a family's honor really depend on a marriage? If your Qiao family conducts itself with dignity, it will naturally have honor; it doesn't need to depend on anything else."
"You!" Mrs. Qiao, choking with rage, turned pale and then flushed, her mind buzzing with doubts.
Since when had Jiang Li become so articulate? Where did a person who hadn't even been to college get such twisted logic?
But the Qiao family members weren't idle eaters; today, they seemed unwilling to let the matter drop, clamoring for the Jiang family to give an explanation, or else they would stir up a scene widely known, leaving them unable to meet faces in the Capital.
Beside them, Mrs. Qin was frantic, pulling on Jiang Li and trying to persuade Lin Manru.
"Madam, the eldest young master has been missing for half a month already, and we haven't been able to find him; if you call off the engagement now, what will you do if Old Sir Jiang comes back and blames you?"
Mrs. Qiao's ears perked up upon hearing this, and she jumped up shouting, "Ah, so I knew it! You were persistently targeting my Shuangshuang; it turns out Jiang Yan had disappeared!"
"Heh, the groom had long disappeared, and you didn't notify us but instead deliberately deceived so many people into coming to the engagement banquet. Is this how your Jiang family conducts business?!"
At this point, the guests also turned their accusation toward the Jiang family, criticizing their immorality.
Lin Manru was so anxious her eyes turned red, but facing so many agitated people, she didn't know how to handle it.
Jiang Li then slowly approached Mrs. Qiao, her expression calm as she looked at her and spoke unhurriedly, "Jiang Yan hasn't disappeared."
Mrs. Qiao laughed out of irritation, "Not disappeared? Everyone knows that Jiang Yan is nothing but a troublemaker, always out and about in frivolities, and it's only a matter of time before he disappears because of all the trouble he's caused!"
"What if I bring him back, what then?"
Mrs. Qiao didn't believe it. In their circle, disappearance meant either being kidnapped or dealt with by enemies in secret.
Moreover, Jiang Yan hadn't appeared in public for a long time, and it was probable that the worst had happened.
The Jiang family had been unable to find him for more than half a month; how could she, a mere girl, find him within a day?
Besides, it was well known that the siblings were not on good terms.
So without a second thought, she blurted out a fierce challenge, "Fine, if you can find Jiang Yan today, I will agree to the annulment unconditionally!"