Gongye Changfeng's petty tricks were simply not enough to impress Su Junyao.

The grandmother and grandson are using their family as a pretext for their internal strife; I wonder what they're trying to cause trouble for today.

Su Junyao didn't respond, and Su Yunyi was still in shock, wondering if Gongye Changqing had taken the wrong medicine. Gongye Changfeng was caught off guard by the father and son, and couldn't utter a single word after trying to think of what to say all night.

Gongye Changfeng had guards in his courtyard, and he couldn't get close to her unless she summoned him. Even Xiao Wu's several nighttime raids were unsuccessful.

His plan to use "Chiu Chiu" as an excuse to let Xiao Wu sneak in today is also thwarted.

Gongye Changfeng stepped aside to make way for him, saying, "Please go first, I'll be there shortly."

"Then I, Su, will take my leave first."

"Goodbye."

Gongye Ziwei lived a life of extreme luxury, and his mansion was exquisitely renovated. Walking along the way and appreciating the beautiful scenery was a unique experience.

“Your mother likes this layout. Write it down and we’ll have someone renovate it later.”

Su Yunyi looked up blankly: "What?"

"What?" Su Junyao said, "I'd rather ask you what's making you so distracted."

Was he bewitched by the young lady of the Gongye family?

Su Yunyi frowned, looking puzzled, and asked his father, "What do you mean by Gongye Changqing?"

"Can't you see? You've ruined your brain from studying so much? How stupid!"

"Could it be that she likes me?"

"Hard to guess?"

Su Junyao finally understood what it meant for each generation to be worse than the last. He had been beaten like a dog by his future father-in-law when he was sixteen for trying to win the heart of his sweetheart, and now his sixteen-year-old son was still asking his father if a girl was interested in him.

Although Gongye Jia's intentions were unclear and he didn't seem like a good match, he still couldn't accept that his son was a dullard!

"You didn't notice at all?"

"I see."

There's still some hope.

"This Gongye Changfeng has ill intentions, and I suspect that Gongye Changqing also has ulterior motives. This behavior is definitely an attempt to get close to me on purpose! I think we shouldn't let Mother and Qiuqiu be alone with them!"

Su Junyao: "???"

He's so clueless!

The old father, furious, flung his sleeves, tossed out a curt "Whatever," and left indifferently.

Su Yunyi asked, puzzled, "Could it be that the Gongye family's scheme is more complicated than I thought?"

Xiao Wu, who was hiding in the tree monitoring the Su family father and son: "..."

Although she disliked Gongye Changqing, she felt quite sorry for her at that moment.

Gongye Changfeng's methods were too naive, and Xiao Wu, aside from assassination, lacked strategic acumen; he wasn't yet capable of boarding Su Junyao's ship. Gongye Changfeng's eagerness to achieve results today even aroused their suspicion.

However, as long as no one is courting death, today's birthday banquet is safe.

Su Junyao took Su Yunyi to chat with his friends, not worried that Gongye would do anything to them.

Yun Jinglan was having a terrible headache. The Gongye family's daughter was indeed a bit too noisy.

It wasn't just her who was making noise; rather, Qiuqiu was secretly plotting and agreeing with her, feeling as if a million flies were buzzing around her ears.

When Yun Jinglan saw Gongye Shi, she was already pale.

She felt that she wouldn't be able to hear other people's voices for the next few days.

"Lady Wenyang has arrived. Someone, please serve tea."

Chiu Chiu was being carried by the maid who had followed them. Her chubby cheeks jiggled as she looked around. "Isn't there room for me?"

Where should I sit?

One of the ladies who arrived early saw Qiuqiu with some curiosity, saying, "The lucky baby of the Marquis of Wenyang has also gone out. It's really rare."

"That's right, this lucky doll only likes to go to the palace, we can't see it normally."

"Look at how sour you are! Your daughter is about this age, right? Why didn't she go with you?"

Everyone chimed in with their opinions, and Qiuqiu wasn't shy at all, letting others see her openly.

What's wrong with letting everyone see her when she's so beautiful?

Yun Jinglan accepted everything others said without question. She noted down the kind words, intending to treat them to snacks another day; and she made sure to remember the sarcastic remarks, inviting their husbands or sons to "snacks" as well. Her motto was to treat everyone equally!

Gongye Shi's smile faded after Qiuqiu stole his thunder. Although he was still smiling, his gaze towards Qiuqiu revealed hostility.

Chiu Chiu keenly sensed a malicious gaze upon her and instinctively went to look for it.

After turning around, she met the eyes of Gongye Shi, who was sitting in the main seat. The latter quickly reacted and gave Qiuqiu a loving smile: "This must be Qiuqiu. Let me see. This child is so beautiful!"

Gongye sent a separate invitation to Qiuqiu in order to meet the recent rising star in the capital. Who among them wasn't curious?

To be able to capture the hearts of all the concubines in the palace single-handedly is something even His Majesty might not be able to do. I wonder what's so special about this little girl.

Gongye's words drew everyone's attention to Qiuqiu. Yun Jinglan had no choice but to have Qiuyue bring Qiuqiu out, "It's the old lady's birthday, let our Qiuqiu share in the good fortune."

"Chirp chirp, wishing the old lady a happy birthday."

Chiu Chiu also has her own special skills; she's adept at clasping her hands in a traditional greeting to receive red envelopes for birthday celebrations. She knows this is the parents' usual routine—to perform a talent for all the relatives and friends!

However, she didn't want to perform.

Chirp's perfunctory goodbye made the ladies smirk; it was indeed quite adorable!

What are they laughing at?

[Are you laughing at me for wishing someone I don't like a happy birthday?]

She was the one who disliked me first!

Yun Jinglan was wondering why the usually lively Qiuqiu had fallen silent after entering. She had assumed she was scared in the unfamiliar environment, but it turned out she had met someone she didn't like!

Is there something wrong with the Gongye clan?!

Chirp reaches out: "It's cold!"

Even though Qiuqiu was looking for her mother, Gongye Shi still had to ask someone to bring Qiuqiu to her for a look.

"Hehe, bring it closer so I can see it."

Chirp called out loudly, "Mama!"

This time, his pronunciation was much clearer instead of the vague, bubbly sounds.

Yun Jinglan wore a polite, faint smile as she pulled Qiuqiu into her arms, showing no intention of carrying her away.

“My little Qiuqiu is young and shy. Even when she went to the palace, the Empress had to assign a nanny to hold her.”

The implication was clear: Who do you think you are, ordering my daughter around like that!

The Su family is a marquis, while the Gongye family is an earl; their titles already surpass those of the Su family. Moreover, the Gongye family has only held a nominal title with no real power for years, while the Marquis of Wenyang's household is a close advisor to the emperor, and the young man has even shown favor to His Majesty. They are not people this old lady can easily command.

Look at her sitting there with such an arrogant look on her face, she doesn't seem to genuinely like Chiu Chiu at all!

I'm afraid they have other intentions!

Gongye was displeased, but she couldn't show it. She raised her hand and pressed her temple. "I'm getting old and useless. Qingqing, please greet the ladies for me. I'm going to rest for a while."

I don't know what she was thinking. As the main character of the day, she actually left everyone here and went to rest while she was being rude.

Those present were all prominent officials, and they all turned pale at being treated so coldly.

Coincidentally, Gongye Changqing was also someone who didn't know how to read the room. She curtsied and said, "Ladies, my grandmother is unwell, and I'm worried. I'll go and see her first, and then I'll come back to keep you company later."

"Grandma, wait for me!"

Suddenly, a woman from somewhere spoke up quietly: "Are they planning to just leave us hanging here?"

Happy New Year, my darlings!