"I can never be relatives with the Pei family in this lifetime. We are not only enemies, but also adversaries. The same goes for your Du family."

"Auntie, you're supposed to be a daughter-in-law of the Gu family, one of the top five noble families. Do you know how a respectable daughter-in-law like you grovels before the lower five noble families? Have you forgotten how the lower five noble families framed your parents-in-law? Or are you spies and lackeys of the lower five noble families, colluding with them to infiltrate and sabotage the top five noble families?"

"Don't brag about your daughter being a guest of honor from some worthless lower-class family. We're all tired of hearing it. What's this talk about easing the grudges between the upper and lower families? That's just something outsiders can say. The upper-class families originally made their friendship with the lower-class families out of goodwill. Otherwise, Gu Sijin from the Gu family wouldn't have been engaged to Old Master Zhao's granddaughter. It was the Zhao family who had ulterior motives and instructed their son-in-law's family to frame him."

Gu Wanwan picked up where Chen Ge left off, saying, "If Gu Huaien and Gu Qiulin hadn't conspired to release the banned books, and then betrayed your in-laws by ignoring their own interests and confirming their crimes, you siblings in the Gu family would be truly disgusting. You even framed your in-laws to seize power. Your shameful deeds are known throughout the entire capital."

"You call yourself the head of the Gu family, but you're just a puppet of the lower five aristocratic families. Do you think the other four members even look down on you? You even dared to cooperate with the lower five aristocratic families to destroy the Cheng family. You think Gu Huaien and his sister are so powerful? They're nothing but bastards."

"Thanks to the intervention of the special department, this conspiracy was ended and the Jian family was dealt with. Now Gu Qiulin and Gu Huaien are both being watched by the special department. You still have the leisure to stir up trouble and meddle in other people's business? Aren't you afraid of causing trouble for your husband and sister-in-law?"

"Haven't you caused enough trouble with your sister-in-law's family? Your in-laws are about to return to the capital, and the position of head of the family that you finally got your hands on has been lost again. Do your in-laws know that you've been causing trouble everywhere and getting involved with your rivals?"

Fu Jingchen and his partner complained to each other as if no one else was around, "Honey, the current head of the Gu family is incompetent. There was an internal traitor who emptied the Gu family's coffers, leaving the Gu family penniless. In order to maintain appearances, Shi Zhenxiang had no choice but to accept the Du family's demands and come out to earn extra money. I don't believe that the Du family didn't pay Shi Zhenxiang. Our Mrs. Gu's appearance fee is quite high."

Even if they look down on Shi Zhenxiang in private, they will treat her with courtesy because of Gu Yarou, the peacock.

The onlookers were stunned; Sister Wan and Brother Chen really dared to speak their minds.

"That's true. The Gu family is in complete chaos right now. They're constantly arguing and fighting. I heard they're even struggling to make ends meet. They're borrowing money everywhere and living a very frugal life."

"Shi Zhenxiang is also a 'favoritism demon,' borrowing money from relatives and friends but never from her own family. Her family lives a very carefree life thanks to the power of the Gu family, but they have never said anything about helping or repaying the Gu family. They are nothing but ingrates. Gu Qiulin's in-laws are also terrible; they insist on staying at the Gu family's house and won't leave."

"When the Gu family elders return, the Gu siblings won't be able to explain themselves. I've also heard some rumors, quite detailed, but I don't know if they're true. Some say Gu Qiulin isn't their biological daughter, that she was switched like Fu Jingchen, and that Gu Huaien isn't their biological child, that the two siblings aren't related by blood."

"Who knows? Only those who aren't biologically related would turn their backs on their adoptive parents and help outsiders against them. Maybe they really are lackeys of the Lower Five Families, which is why they're on good terms with them."

"Shi Zhenxiang always raves about her being a lucky daughter, a woman of good fortune and destiny. I don't see it at all. I really don't understand why those young men from aristocratic families are chasing after her so crazy. She's the most beautiful woman in the capital. I think Gu Wanwan and Fu Jingchen are the most handsome man and beautiful woman."

"..."

From the moment he entered the room until now, Battalion Commander Du has maintained the airs of an officer, never once glancing directly at Fu Jingchen and Gu Wanwan, believing that his military uniform is so imposing that it can intimidate the ignorant family.

Unexpectedly, the entire family was dressed in camouflage, looking like special forces.