Chapter 60 A Disgrace

She had always thought highly of the Shen family and thought it would be a good thing if they could get married, but Xie Qingran just wouldn't have it.

Now, seeing Shen Wenyuan's attitude towards Xie Qingran, Wang felt even more strongly that Xie Qingran was ungrateful.

She rolled her eyes at Xie Qingran, then said with dissatisfaction, "What's wrong with that Young Master Shen? Why do you insist on avoiding him and choosing Xiao Jue? Don't cry about the bitter days to come!"

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. I understand." Xie Qingran nodded silently without refuting.

Of course she knew that life wouldn't be easy after entering the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but no matter how difficult it was, it wouldn't be worse than it was now.

"Prime Minister, the Prime Minister's wife has arrived!"

The servants announced the arrival of the guests, and everyone stepped forward to take their seats, rising to pay their respects.

The Prime Minister's wife hurriedly waved her hand: "Today is just a family banquet, please don't stand on ceremony, everyone please take your seats!"

As she spoke, the Prime Minister's wife smiled in Xie Qingran's direction, her gaze softening slightly when it met Xie Qingran's.

"When I came out just now, I saw a group of little girls chattering away. What were they saying? Why was it so lively?"

After the Prime Minister's wife sat down, she started a conversation.

Liu Huan immediately stood up and said with a smile, "Actually, it's nothing serious. It's just that lately, there have been a lot of stories about adopted brothers and sisters in the capital. We came here today and saw that the Xie siblings are exactly like that, aren't they?"

"How dare you! What nonsense are you spouting?" Madam Wang immediately reacted, slamming her hand on the table and shouting angrily.

Liu Huan has always been fearless, and besides, the Xie family is nothing compared to the Liu family.

Seeing Wang's annoyed expression, Liu Huan just playfully stuck out her tongue and whispered, "Why does Madam Wang care so much? It's just some private talk we young ladies have over it. How can you take it seriously?"

Upon hearing this, Wang's behavior made her seem somewhat guilty!

Wang felt a moment of embarrassment, then glanced at Xie Hanyue, then at Liu Huan, and said, "A young lady's reputation is precious, so please be careful with your words, Miss Liu!"

"So Madam Wang also knows the importance of a young lady's reputation. Then I don't understand, why is the Second Miss's reputation more valuable than the Eldest Miss's?"

“We still remember what the Second Miss said at the banquet on the ship last time, but we never expected that Madam Wang would not take it to heart at all. Now, it’s just that we young ladies got together and said a few words casually. How has it become such a rebellious act?”

"Although we all know the Xie family is biased, we never imagined that someone would actually prefer someone who isn't their biological child?"

As Liu Huan was talking, she suddenly burst out laughing.

When Madam Liu realized something was wrong and tried to cover her mouth, it was already too late.

Her face darkened, and she tugged at Liu Huan, saying irritably, "How dare you, you little brat! What nonsense are you spouting? Shut up right now!"

Immediately afterwards, Madam Liu smiled at Madam Wang and said, "Our daughter is spoiled by us, so please don't mind. You shouldn't take a child's words to heart."

Madam Liu's words to Madam Wang were already a great gesture of respect to the Xie family. If Madam Wang did not appreciate it, then she would only have herself to blame.

Xie Qingran knew this principle, and Wang Shi knew it even better. So even though Wang Shi's face was gloomy and unpleasant, she had no choice but to nod and let the matter go for now.

Just moments ago, Xie Hanyue and Xie Zhaoye were surrounded and mocked by them. Now, at the formal banquet, Liu Huan is still relentlessly pursuing them. Xie Hanyue, who was never one to have a good temper, has lost her temper even more.

"Liu Huan, what exactly do you mean?!"

"I want to ask you today, what have I done to offend you that you would humiliate me like this!"

Xie Hanyue immediately stood up, grabbed a teacup from the table, and threw it at her.

"If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I won't live anymore!"

As Xie Hanyue spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Liu Huan moved nimbly and immediately dodged the teacup Xie Hanyue threw at her, looking at her coldly.

"Didn't I say that these were just casual jokes from a young girl? Why are you taking it so seriously?"

"Does that mean we can't even tell jokes anymore?"

Liu Huan casually patted off non-existent dust from his body, stuck out his tongue at her, and then obediently sat down next to Madam Liu.

In an instant, all eyes were on Xie Hanyue.

The Prime Minister's wife immediately changed her expression and said unhappily, "Second Miss Xie, it was just a casual joke among the girls. Why are you so persistent? You were like this on the ship last time, and now you still dare to be so presumptuous in my Prime Minister's residence. Do you look down on the noble ladies of the capital, or do you look down on my Prime Minister's residence? Why do you insist on causing trouble at my banquet!"

"Please forgive me, Madam! That's not what Yue'er meant. It's just that these people are gossiping behind my back, which is really going too far!" Xie Zhaoye quickly stood up, bowed to the Prime Minister's wife, and spoke up to defend Xie Hanyue.

Now, the crowd, who had initially just been watching the spectacle, began to notice something amiss. Those families who had been on friendly terms with Xie Yankang exchanged glances and started to reconsider their plans.

After all, if they really offended the Prime Minister's Mansion, the Xie family would only face more difficulties in the future.

The Prime Minister's wife frowned deeply and slammed her hand on the table: "Wang, how dare you Xie family children be so audacious! What exactly does the Xie family mean by this!"

"Please calm down, Madam."

"The child is still young and doesn't understand things. He's just shy and can't take a joke. Today is a banquet at the Prime Minister's residence, so let's keep things peaceful."

"You two, hurry up and apologize to Madam!"

Wang immediately realized something was wrong and hurriedly apologized to the two people with a stern look.

Seeing Wang's appearance, the two could only reluctantly bow and apologize: "It's all our fault, please forgive us, Madam."

"Alright, it's nothing serious." The Prime Minister, unable to bear it any longer, snapped and glanced at Xie Yankang: "Lord Xie, you have good manners!"

Xie Yankang was now drenched in cold sweat, his eyebrows furrowed tightly. He immediately shouted, "Insolence! You two unruly brats, get out of here right now! You're making a fool of yourselves!"

Xie Hanyue had never been treated like this before. She was dissatisfied, but she had no choice but to grit her teeth and take a step back, tugging at Xie Zhaoye's sleeve in a wronged manner.

After the two men left, the Prime Minister's wife changed the subject and continued the banquet, as she couldn't let them delay the others.