Chapter 192 The Welcome-Away Banquet 2

Gu Ziqi was forced to retreat repeatedly, his back hitting the table behind him, causing the cups and plates to clatter loudly.

"I...I didn't...I didn't..."

"Enough!"

A stern, cold shout rang out.

Xie Zhenting had stood up at some point, his tall figure like an insurmountable mountain.

His face was grim. His gaze swept over Gu Ziqi, who was pale as a ghost, and finally landed on his son. He frowned and scolded, "You good-for-nothing! Why bother arguing with such lowlifes? You'll only dirty your hands!"

These words were even harsher than Xie Sangyu's harsh words! They directly labeled Gu Ziqi as someone who was not presentable, and even arguing with him was considered too dirty!

Xie Zhenting turned to the Ningyuan Marquis's family members, who were already wishing they could disappear into the ground, and said in a cold, hard voice, "Ningyuan Marquis! Keep your people in check! If they dare to bark again and tarnish the reputation of my Xie family, don't blame me, Xie Zhenting, for being ruthless! Show them out!"

Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Yan, turned pale and then red, filled with shame and indignation, yet dared not retaliate.

He glared at Gu Ziqi, who was slumped on the ground, and gave a weak bow in the direction of Xie Zhenting. He couldn't even say a few polite words before leading his family away from the general's mansion in a sorry state.

The storm subsided in an instant.

The flower hall was bustling again, but when everyone looked at Xie Sangyu, there was no longer any contempt in their eyes.

His words not only cleared himself of any wrongdoing but also elevated the Ninth Prince, leaving no room for criticism. They thoroughly humiliated Gu Ziqi and also demonstrated the Xie family's intolerant attitude towards provocation!

Where is there even a trace of a spoiled brat in this cunning and skill?

Wei Yan stared at Xie Sangyu's tall and straight back, her heart pounding and her eyes sparkling with admiration!

Xie Sangyu's lazy smile returned as she raised her glass to the still-shaken crowd: "Sorry, sorry for disturbing your enjoyment. It was just a little accident, no problem at all! Come on, everyone, let's continue! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Xie Sangning watched all this from afar, picked up her teacup, and took a small sip.

Brother, you sang this play beautifully.

Having established their authority, they also subtly conveyed the Xie family's attitude to certain individuals through the fool Gu Ziqi—to uphold propriety, but not to tolerate humiliation.

Wei Yan's gaze was fixed intently on Xie Sangyu, who was chatting and laughing in the men's section, her heart pounding in her chest.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

If you miss tonight, it will be difficult to get close to this highly sought-after eldest son of the general's family.

She has always been quite confident in her appearance, and among the young ladies of the capital, Wei Yan is considered one of the most beautiful.

Taking a deep breath to suppress her excitement, she quickly found a pretext—to find her brother, Wei Zikai.

So, Wei Yan put on the airs of a noble lady, swaying her waist and moving with light steps, deliberately adopting a posture that was both reserved and somewhat nonchalant, and gracefully walked towards the male guests' seats.

Her route was planned with extreme precision, precisely avoiding the table where Xie Sangyu was.

As she got closer and closer to her target, Wei Yan could even clearly see the handsome profile of Xie Sangyu's face. She was secretly pleased with herself and slightly adjusted the angle and speed of her steps.

One step, two steps... now!

She turned slightly to the side, seemingly unintentionally, her skirt fluttering as she walked past Xie Sangyu's desk, almost touching the edge.

An intensely sweet and cloying aroma assaulted Xie Sangyu's senses!

Xie Sangyu was talking to the person next to her with her head turned to the side, completely unprepared for this sudden "fragrance bomb"!

Achoo!!!

A deafening sneeze suddenly erupted without warning!

Xie Sangyu abruptly turned her head, her nose instantly turning bright red, followed by what seemed like a chain reaction—

Achoo! Achoo!

One sneeze after another, I just couldn't stop!

He awkwardly covered his mouth and nose, tears streaming down his face. His previous dashing and debonair demeanor had vanished, leaving only a disheveled state.

His first instinct was to back away, to get away from the source of his suffocation.

Xie Sangning suddenly stood up from his seat.

"Like spring!"

Ru Chun reacted very quickly, swiftly taking out an elegant bluish-gray sachet from her sleeve and presenting it with both hands.

Xie Sangning grabbed it and strode over to Xie Sangyu's side.

"Brother!"

Her voice carried a hint of barely perceptible worry, but her movements were swift and decisive as she precisely brought the sachet in her hand to Xie Sangyu's nose.

A herbal scent instantly filled the air, forcefully dispelling the nauseatingly sweet and powdery smell.

Xie Sangyu took a few deep, greedy breaths, finally suppressing the itching in her nasal cavity, and the violent sneezing gradually subsided.

He released his hand from his mouth and nose, panting heavily, with traces of tears still clinging to the corners of his eyes.

All eyes in the flower hall had been drawn by this sudden commotion and were immediately focused on it.

Xie Sangning held the sachet steadily with her fingertips, ensuring that her brother could continue to breathe in the pure fragrance of the herbs.

She then raised her eyes and looked at Wei Yan, whose expression was stiff.

“My brother has had a special constitution since childhood. He can’t stand the smell of cheap perfume. At best, he will sneeze repeatedly, as you just saw. At worst, he will break out in rashes all over his body, and suffer from unbearable itching that lasts for several days.”

She paused slightly, "Therefore, Miss Wei, if you wish to get close to my brother in the future, please be careful. It would be best to keep your distance to avoid... causing unnecessary trouble."

Wei Yan's carefully planned chance encounter has now become the biggest joke!

Xie Sangning's calm words hurt her more than the most vicious insults!

Every word reminded her: her face powder was cheap! Her presence was irritating!

The entire flower hall fell into an awkward silence.

Wei Yan's face was a mix of red and blue, like a spilled palette of colors, and a burning sense of shame burned from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

The surprised, knowing, or gloating looks around her made her feel like she was being pricked by needles, and she wished she could disappear into the ground!

The shame and indignation in her heart grew wildly like poisonous vines, instantly entangled her reason.

Why? Why is Xie Sangning, that bitch, so high and mighty, humiliating her in front of everyone?

She, Wei Yan, is also the legitimate daughter of the Yongning Marquis's mansion! She's a famous beauty in the capital! What is Xie Sangning?! Isn't she just relying on having a father who's a great general?

Without Xie Zhenting, Xie Sangning is nothing!

"you…!"

Wei Yan was trembling with anger, pointing at Xie Sangning, her lips quivering:

"Xie Sangning! What are you so smug about?! All the food, clothing, and lavish lifestyle you have today are earned by your father, Xie Zhenting, through his bloody battles! You're nothing but a parasitic vine that lives off your father and brothers! What right do you have to point fingers at me?!"

"How long do you think you can be so smug? Hmph! The General's Mansion is currently without a mistress, and you've been temporarily put in charge of the household. You really think you're something special? What a joke! You'll eventually get married and leave the mansion! You're like water spilled from a cup! When that time comes, all the glory and wealth of the General's Mansion will have nothing to do with you, Xie Sangning!"

These words were like pouring cold water into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar!

All the laughter, chatter, and music in the entire flower hall came to an abrupt halt!

Dead silence!

The guests' smiles froze as they stared in disbelief at Wei Yan, who was acting like a madwoman and spouting vile words.

Lady Yongning was terrified and stood up abruptly, trying to cover her daughter's mouth, but Wei Yan pushed her away!

"Yan'er! Shut up! Are you crazy?!" Madam Wei shrieked.

Wei Zikai felt a chill run from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, and his head buzzed as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer!

I never imagined she would say such outrageous and utterly foolish things!

He suddenly looked towards the main seat—Xie Zhenting's face was already gloomy, and his eyes were surging with undisguised killing intent!

Wei Zikai had no doubt that if there hadn't been so many guests present, this decisive and ruthless general would have drawn his sword on the spot!

And Xie Sangning…