Gu Jiangli arrived at the banquet in the front hall.
I immediately spotted my parents at the table, and Lotus standing beside them.
Seeing them put Gu Jiangli at ease.
In her memory, Gu's parents doted on their only daughter. Even after they learned that she was eager to marry a playboy, they still fully supported her after failing to dissuade her.
At this moment, they all seemed to have heard about her plan to boldly express her love today, and they looked around at her, trying to get the details out of her.
Gu Jiangli walked quickly toward them.
Upon seeing her, Gu's father hurriedly asked:
"Li'er, many people at the banquet are saying that you will ask the city lord for his hand in marriage today, intending to take this opportunity to marry the second young master. Is that... true?"
Mother Gu quickly added:
"Li'er, this is unacceptable! You are a lady from a respectable family. We have seen your feelings for the Second Young Master and have not stopped you. If the Second Young Master truly has feelings for you, he should be the one to propose to the Gu family. How can it be your turn to ask the City Lord for your hand in marriage? You absolutely cannot do this!"
Lotus stamped her foot anxiously, "Yes, Miss, that second young master is clearly a playboy who only wants your beauty. If you marry him in this way, your future will not be good!"
All of them said the same thing: they were all trying to persuade her not to do anything foolish.
They tried to persuade him in the same way last time, but the original owner didn't listen.
But this time it's different.
Gu Jiangli took his parents' hands and sat down with Hehua in the seats.
She smiled radiantly, her expression radiating a calm composure.
"Father, Mother, don't worry, those are just rumors. Don't take them to heart. Even if your daughter is foolish, she wouldn't do something so shameful."
"My daughter used to be blinded by greed and fell in love with someone who wasn't worth entrusting her life to, but now she's woken up and won't do anything foolish again."
"I won't do anything once the banquet starts. But these rumors will surely spread. At that time, I hope my father and mother won't be angry and will speak up for their daughter."
Mr. and Mrs. Gu exchanged a glance, their anxious looks turning into one of confusion.
They all felt that their daughter had changed.
She was more composed, exuding the aura of a superior, and her words even gave one the illusion of wanting to bow one's head when speaking to her.
Father Gu spoke first: "Li'er, have you really thought it through?"
"real."
"Is there some other conspiracy against you by the Second Young Master?"
"That's right."
"Then... what should your mother and I do?"
"It's very simple. Just say that I have never met with the second young master in private, and that I was in the manor every time he came to see me and never left the house."
"Is it really that simple?" Mr. and Mrs. Gu asked in unison.
"Yes, it's that simple."
Gu Jiangli put down his cloak and calmly took a sip of tea.
She wasn't unaware of the slightly confused looks on her parents' faces as they stared at her.
But it doesn't matter. As long as the old couple sees their daughter's change as a positive thing, it's more reassuring than when she was completely devoted to that spoiled brat.
Before long, she noticed that the elderly couple's eyes were firm, and they no longer hesitated, as if they were determined to help her.
————
The banquet begins.
The eldest son, Jiang Huaizhi, and the second son, Jiang Huaisong, also took their seats at the table.
The city lord and his wife appeared.
Gu Jiangli was no stranger to her in-laws, having lived with them for over a decade.
However, at this time, they did not understand themselves.
They'll understand soon enough.
The city lord, hand in hand with his wife, expressed many words of gratitude, which were nothing more than thanking everyone for coming to celebrate his birthday and wishing them continued prosperity in the future.
Women from each household personally came forward to offer him their congratulations.
The couple accepted the gifts with smiles, while scrutinizing the woman who approached them, trying to determine whether she was suitable to be their sons' wives.
One woman after another walked past Gu Jiangli, who remained seated as still as a mountain, preoccupied only with eating the cold dishes in front of him.
She could feel two pairs of eyes looking at her from the opposite table.
It was the brothers Jiang Huaizhi and Jiang Huaisong.
She knew perfectly well why they were looking at themselves.
Jiang Huaisong's ruthless and irritable emotions had already been conveyed to her through that gaze.
As for Jiang Huaizhi, his gaze was indistinct, only glancing at her occasionally.
Gu Jiangli ignored it all.
After the Sun family's daughter came down, it was her turn.
She intentionally or unintentionally lifted the cloak, then carefully placed it in Lotus's hands before getting up and walking forward with the gift box she had prepared.
She lowered her head slightly, moving slowly and gracefully, her steps like lotus blossoms, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair and revealing her beautiful face.
The city lord and his wife, seated in the main seat, were momentarily stunned by what they saw.
Gu Jiangli half-squatted, displaying impeccable manners: "This humble girl, Gu Jiangli, presents red jade and coral as a gift to wish the City Lord a long life, and may the City Lord shine as brightly as the sun and moon, and remain forever young."
She wouldn't say anything else; the other women had already said plenty, so one more word from her wouldn't make a difference.
As long as she is polite, that's fine.
Although she only offered two short words of blessing, the city lord still beamed with joy:
"Alright, alright, thank you for your kindness. No need for formalities, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Lord Xie, Madam Xie."
The maidservant beside her accepted the red jade coral from her hand, and she got up to leave.
He had barely taken a step when a man stood up and spoke:
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