The younger generation sat to Xu Shinong's right, with Xu Jixiao and Xu's eldest sister-in-law next to each other. Next to Xu Jiyi and Xu Minghua was a man who looked respectable but exuded a bandit-like air.
Needless to say, it was Xu Jixin, the second young master of the Xu family.
Xu Zhuohua came down the stairs, and the First Madam saw her at a glance and said, "The whole family is waiting for you, come over quickly!"
The group, who were talking in hushed tones, then noticed Xu Zhuohua.
She wore a neat dress with trousers that hugged her long legs, and a short blazer draped over her shoulders, making her look tall and refreshing.
Everyone was stunned for a moment, and the concubines made no attempt to hide their admiration for Xu Zhuohua's beauty.
Xu Jixin had never been to Dongzhou before and had never met Xu Zhuohua, but he was still stunned by her beauty.
Xu Zhuohua shuffled over to Xu Minghua's side. Her position was opposite Xu Shinong, which, according to etiquette, was the lowest position.
The First Madam didn't actually want Xu Zhuohua to attend the family banquet. What right did an adopted daughter like her have to sit at the table? If she was given a seat, Xu Zhuohua should kowtow to her in gratitude.
Xu Zhuohua didn't care about seating arrangements, as long as she could get food. She didn't care about the opinions of unimportant people, and this was probably the best meal she could have at the Xu family home.
Xu Zhuohua prepared herself to leave, clutching her pregnant belly.
She didn't listen to Xu Shi Nong's long-winded explanations about moving to Xin Hai Cheng and how harmonious her family was; it was all nonsense and had nothing to do with her.
Finally, it's time to start eating.
Xu Zhuohua wolfed down her food, devouring it in a whirlwind, which terrified the seventh concubine next to her.
"Oh dear, my lady, you haven't eaten for days."
Everyone at the table stopped eating. Xu Zhuohua didn't even look up. He took a bite of the braised pork knuckle and wanted to pound his chest and shout, "It's so delicious!"
"Oh... two days."
The seventh concubine frowned and poured Xu Zhuohua a cup of tea. "Drink some, don't choke."
The First Madam rolled her eyes. How embarrassing!
Xu Jixiao and Xu Shinong continued to discuss business matters, and no one paid attention to Xu Zhuohua's exaggerated eating habits.
Just as she was enjoying her meal, a chicken leg suddenly appeared on the plate in front of her, and Xu Zhuohua looked up in confusion.
With a look of pity in her eyes, Xu Minghua said softly, "Eat."
Xu Zhuohua suddenly lost her appetite, wondering what Xu Minghua was up to. She took a sip of tea but didn't touch the chicken leg.
When the First Madam saw this, she said, "Ming'er, stay away from her and don't pick up bad habits."
Xu Zhuohua chuckled and elegantly wiped the grease from her mouth. "Yes, stay away from me, don't let me corrupt you."
The First Madam muttered, "I know everything you did in Xinhai City, and I haven't settled accounts with you yet. Before the tutor arrives, you stay in the room and don't go anywhere! Do you hear me?"
Xu Zhuohua rolled her eyes and straightened her back. "Didn't hear you!"
The moment those words were spoken, the table fell silent, and the concubines didn't dare to utter a sound.
Xu Jixin spat out a mouthful of tea, and Xu Shinong clicked his tongue, "Second brother, what's wrong with you?"
Xu Jixin said, "I'm sorry, Father and Mother, I didn't expect my sister Shuhua to have such a fiery temper."
The First Madam snorted coldly: "She's not called Shuhua anymore, she's changed her name to Xu Zhuohua. You unfilial brat, you even change your name so casually!"
Xu Zhuohua rolled her eyes.
Pshaw, if my real name wasn't Xu Zhuohua, do you think I would keep this surname?
"This is the name the warlord's wife and the young marshal changed for me, saying my old name was unlucky!"
The First Madam slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "How dare you be disrespectful to your elders! It seems I really need to teach you some manners. Go kneel in the ancestral hall and don't come out without my permission!"
Xu Zhuohua also stood up, and was about to retort when a servant came in and said that someone from the Cheng mansion had arrived.
Xu Shi Nong immediately stood up and pressed the First Madam back to her seat, saying, "Please let them in."
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