Hidden identities of the AI Heiress
Chapter 798 - Chapter 798 Chapter 798 Is There a Real Grudge

Chapter 798: Chapter 798: Is There a Real Grudge? Chapter 798: Chapter 798: Is There a Real Grudge? The chief steward’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and those not far from the Jiang family heard it clearly. Those who did not hear were secretly sizing up the situation, only to see that all three members of the Jiang family had incredibly unpleasant expressions, which piqued their curiosity even more.

Jiang’s mother regained her composure, her face embarrassed, “What do you mean by that? The banquet isn’t over yet.”

The chief steward still smiled, “It means exactly what it says.”

Jiang’s mother saw that many people around were looking at them, and she froze, unable to speak for quite some time.

She had attended many big and small banquets but had never been asked to leave in the middle of one before.

It was particularly galling since this was the Li Family’s event, who were clearly not afraid of offending them.

She straightened her back, her feet planted firmly on the ground as if nailed down, and demanded, “I want to see Sister Qiong.”

The chief steward’s tone was lukewarm, “The lady is busy right now and has no time to see you.”

Jiang Yuan did not like his mother being disrespected in this way and immediately wanted to burst out in a curse, but fortunately, Jiang Jing saw through his intentions. Before he could speak, she grabbed him, her face stern as she commanded, “Shut up.”

Jiang Yuan, somewhat fearful of his sister who was a few minutes older and much more mature than him, choked back his words.

He said resentfully, “Mom is being treated like this, and you still tell me to shut up!”

Jiang Jing reasoned, “Unless you want to make a scene and let everyone here know we were kicked out, keep quiet.”

Ultimately, Jiang Yuan held back, his frustration evident as he muttered, “Coward.”

“Our Jiang family is related to the Li family; you dare to drive us out, I will go and appeal to the elder lady,” Jiang’s mother blurted out, driven by anger and embarrassment.

The chief steward’s smiling eyes flashed sharply, “Would you like me to have someone escort you out?”

While he said ‘escort,’ he meant for them to be thrown out.

Jiang’s mother was stunned by the chief steward’s unapologetic approach.

“Mom, let’s go.” Perhaps for the sake of saving face, Jiang Jing said with a cold laugh, “I find this kind of banquet rather boring anyway.”

Jiang’s mother was reluctant, but since the hosts had spoken, what could she do?

After the Jiang family was driven out, the banquet hall buzzed with activity, spreading the word about what had just occurred.

This was a big deal; the people of the Jiang family were driven out by the Li family.

Those in business with the Jiang family couldn’t help but speculate about the Li family’s intentions and whether continuing to cooperate with the Jiang family might invite trouble upon themselves.

Those still in talks with the Jiang family stopped considering doing business with them altogether, preferring not to offend the Li family over the Jiangs.

The incident was quickly spread far and wide.

…

Li Hanzhou found Qiao Yun by the pond.

She was squatting by the pond, her head bowed, exposing a stretch of her neck as white as jade, beside her were Li Miao and Lu Shiran, all three whispering together.

Li Hanzhou couldn’t help but stare at Qiao Yun for a few seconds, then strode over and suddenly asked, “What are you doing?”

Qiao Yun looked up, and seeing it was Li Hanzhou, her eyes seemed to brighten a bit, “Miao Miao said he wanted to catch fish to eat.”

Li Hanzhou raised an eyebrow at Li Miao.

Li Miao, feeling guilty, hid the fishing net behind her and gave Li Hanzhou an innocent smile.

The fish in the pond were personally raised by her mother, fattened up so much that she couldn’t bear to eat them unless absolutely necessary, and usually, she could only yearn for them.

Now caught red-handed by her brother, she was sure to be scolded.

Unexpectedly, Li Hanzhou grabbed Qiao Yun’s hand, helping her to her feet and straightened her hair, his tone gentle, “If you want to eat, just tell me, and I’ll have someone scoop some for you.”

Li Miao: “…”

Qiao Yun’s eyes shone brightly, “Can I?”

Li Hanzhou, with his brows and eyes lowered, said, “Of course you can. If you like it, you can eat it anytime.”

Li Miao, feeling powerless, couldn’t help but think that even the Great Demon King had his mushy moments.

Li Hanzhou, while playfully twirling Qiao Yun’s fingers, asked in a casual tone, “Did you hit someone just now?”

Qiao Yun didn’t pull her hand away, lifted her eyelids, and argued staunchly, “I didn’t hit anyone, I kicked them.”

Lu Shiran, considering they were at someone else’s party and feeling that such impulsiveness was somewhat inappropriate, worried that Li Hanzhou would blame his sister and quickly said, “I was the one who kicked him. He was bullying Li Miao. It had nothing to do with my sister.”

Qiao Yun felt quite touched by Lu Shiran’s constant, protective behavior.

Li Miao immediately added, “Yeah, that guy was nuts, insisting on dating me.”

Li Hanzhou interrupted them, “He’s been sent away.”

Qiao Yun was stunned, not expecting him to handle it this way, and asked with pursed lips, “Did it cause you any trouble?”

Li Hanzhou, amused by Qiao Yun’s docile demeanor, succinctly replied, “You did well.”

Qiao Yun nodded in agreement, “I think so too.”

Upon hearing that the Great Demon King had sent the Jiang family member away, Li Miao felt touched and showed a rare obedient side to Li Hanzhou, “Brother, I knew you care about me the most. I’ll definitely listen to you from now on.”

Li Hanzhou glanced at Li Miao, “You’re mistaken, I did it for the kid.”

Li Miao’s smile froze on her face, followed by a pouty, sullen expression.

Ying~

She just knew she was the uncherished cabbage without a brother’s love.

Qiao Yun tugged on Li Hanzhou’s sleeve, saying disapprovingly, “Don’t tease Miaomiao.”

Li Hanzhou responded without hesitation, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Qiao Yun nodded, satisfied, then said to Li Miao, “He was just kidding.”

Li Hanzhou didn’t say it outright, but indeed apart from his affection for Qiao Yun, he also wanted to stand up for Li Miao.

After all, she was his only true sister. Though not as obsessive as the Lu brothers, he cared deeply for Li Miao and naturally wouldn’t let anyone bully her on his own territory.

Li Miao didn’t know Li Hanzhou’s thoughts; she huffed, having mentally executed the Great Demon King countless times in her mind.

Lu Shiran cast a sympathetic glance towards Li Miao.

So Li Miao had it so tough in the Li family, he wondered how her brother could be so indifferent.

Could it be the generation gap?

Well, seeing how pitiful she looked, he decided to let her have her way from now on.

Sensing Lu Shiran’s gaze, Li Miao turned her head towards him. Seeing the sympathy, pity, and frustration in his eyes, she was quite surprised.

What was this all about?

Why on earth would Lu Shiran feel pity for her all of a sudden, when he usually resented her for hogging Qiaoqiao’s attention? Could it be because Qiaoqiao defended her and he was jealous again?

Mens’ hearts are indeed as deep as the ocean.

Well, considering he had helped her this one time, she decided to cut him some slack from now on.

Li Hanzhou said to Qiao Yun, “Shall we go back? It’s about time to cut the cake.”

With Li Hanzhou’s indulgence smoothing her mood, Qiao Yun responded light-heartedly, “Alright.”

Li Hanzhou took Qiao Yun and left immediately.

Li Miao and Lu Shiran followed right behind.

Walking along the corridor, Li Hanzhou whispered, “There’s something I want to ask you.”

It was rare for Li Hanzhou to ask him anything.

Qiao Yun raised her eyebrows with interest, “What is it?”

Li Hanzhou spoke casually, “Do you remember the Huo family from K Port we talked about before?”

Qiao Yun hummed a response, “What about them?”

“Do you know them?”

“No.”

Qiao Yun had no connections with the Huo family and didn’t understand why Li Hanzhou would ask her about them.

A protective glint flickered in Professor Qiao’s eyes, “Did they bully you?”

Li Hanzhou looked at Qiao Yun and smiled, “No.”

Qiao Yun concealed the coldness in her eyes and replied indifferently, “Oh.”

Li Hanzhou didn’t hide it, “Do you know that Pei Ya is having someone watch over the second young master Huo?”

Qiao Yun showed a rare hint of surprise.

She didn’t know about this.

The child she had raised from a young age had actually kept something from her, and Professor Qiao was very displeased. Was this a delayed rebellious phase?

Li Hanzhou kept watching Qiao Yun’s expression and asked, “You didn’t know?”

“Now I do.”

“Tell Pei Ya to be careful,” Li Hanzhou advised.

He didn’t want to meddle too much, but if Pei Ya got into trouble, Qiao Yun would definitely be upset, so he thought it over and decided to tell her.

“Alright,” Qiao Yun said calmly, then suddenly asked, “When did he come to Beijing?”

“Probably the day of your promotion banquet,” Li Hanzhou hadn’t paid much attention to the second young master Huo, but he knew some things since Shen Qi considered the Huo family a competitor.

Qiao Yun’s expression grew solemn.

She remembered that Pei Ya had been very unhappy that day. Could it have been because of the Huo family?

Was there truly a grudge?

Qiao Yun pressed down her doubts instead of rushing to ask. They say the more you push during a rebellious phase, the more resistant children become.

She just had to pay more attention.

…

The three members of the Jiang family left the Li Family residence dejectedly.

Jiang’s mother had lost face badly today, her entire countenance grim and gloomy, “What happened, why did they suddenly rush us out, wasn’t it fine before?”

The Jiang family, due to some connection with the elderly Mrs. Li, wasn’t without ties to the Li family. They occasionally exchanged gifts during holidays to maintain familiarity, and although not close, both families had always gotten along harmoniously.

On such an important day, in front of so many people, to be directly thrown out, what would people think about the Jiang family?

If word got back to Yuncheng, wouldn’t it be utterly humiliating for her, especially since she had always boasted about her relatives in the Li family?

Jiang Jing was utterly annoyed and grumbled resentfully, “If I’d known this would happen, I would never have listened to you and come here. Now we’re utterly humiliated! Didn’t you say our family had a good relationship with the Li family? They chased us out in public, and you call that a good relationship?”

She absolutely stepped in misfortune today. Why was she so unlucky!

Being refused mentorship was one thing, but potentially offending Professor Xu and likely getting on the Qiao Family’s blacklist, only to have Qiao Yun harshly slap him in the face, and now being kicked out of the banquet.

Jiang Yuan’s mother said urgently, her face a mix of red and white, “I also don’t know what happened, how can the Li Family be so ruthless? We haven’t offended them.”

A gust of night wind passed by, the wet suit sticking to his skin was bone-chillingly cold, and Jiang Yuan shivered suddenly, showing a hint of guilt on his face.

He guessed they were kicked out because of something he had done. He opened his mouth wanting to speak, but fearing his mother’s blame, he eventually chose to swallow back the foolish things he had done.

Jiang Yuan mumbled, “Mom, let’s just leave, it’s just the Li Family, does our family really need them?”

His mother didn’t say much, only saying, “The Jiang Family is in Yuncheng, the Li Family is at the foot of the emperor, can you say they are the same?”

Jiang Yuan said, “How are they different? Aren’t they both the wealthiest?”

His mother felt her foolish eldest son was going to drive her mad, poking his forehead with her fingertip, “Tell me, you and your sister are twins, how come your sister is so much smarter than you, and you’re as dumb as a pig!”

One a national wealthiest, another a local wealthiest, can you compare?

Jiang Yuan muttered in his heart, it’s all because you spoiled him, but seeing his mother not in a good mood, he kept his mouth shut.

Jiang Yuan’s mother felt somewhat uneasy.

For the past decade or so, because of the Tianqi Research Institute, Yuncheng had been known as a town of technology, and the Jiang Family, riding this wave, became a well-known tech company, involved in numerous business engagements with the Li Family.

She was now worried that the Li Family’s sudden harsh treatment might affect their business dealings.

But she thought, it shouldn’t be so bad.

If they stopped cooperating, the Li Family would also suffer financial losses.

What Jiang Yuan’s mother didn’t realize was that without Li Hanzhou doing anything directly against their business, the fact they were kicked out already made many reassess the Jiang Family, inevitably impacting their business.

Jiang Jing had been silent since a while ago, her lips tightly pursed, her expression cold, showing no sign of what she was thinking.

It was only when her mother noticed something amiss and softly consoled her, “I’ll call your father later and ask him to inquire about what the Li Family intends.”

“No need to ask,” Jiang Jing suppressed the fury in her heart, her mouth twitching, “It must have been Qiao Yun who asked Grandpa Li to do this. I underestimated her, so sly and cunning. She agreed to compete with me earlier, yet she resorted to underhanded tactics behind me.”

Jiang Yuan’s mother said in disbelief, “Does such a young girl have that much power?”

Jiang Jing argued logically, “Otherwise, we have no grudges with the Li Family, why would they suddenly be so harsh on us? Besides her, I can’t think of anyone else.”

Jiang Yuan’s mother angrily said, “Does the Lu Family have something wrong with them? One bullies my daughter, the other hits my son, do they really think the Jiang Family is easy to bully! And Sister Qiong, has she gone blind? Thinking of making relatives with such a family, isn’t she just asking for trouble?”

Shangjing City holds so many powers, she hadn’t paid much attention to the Lu Family before, but now that the Lu Family had targeted them, she planned to thoroughly check into them.

“Watch how I teach her,” Jiang Yuan’s mother couldn’t swallow this insult.

“Mom, don’t get involved in this,” Jiang Jing’s face was pale, her fists clenched tightly, “Just wait, she made me lose face, soon she will lose face too.”

She would not be as cunning as Qiao Yun, she would openly, during the Tianqi Research Institute assessment, make Qiao Yun bow her head and apologize to her.

Jiang Jing had always been a decisive person, Jiang Yuan’s mother, hearing her say this, nodded her head and said, “As long as you know your limits, you can’t let others bully you for no reason, we must get this account settled.”

Jiang Yuan’s eyes flitted, feeling increasingly guilty, yet he still did not open his mouth to explain.

Though the cause of the issue was him, he also believed that the Li Family kicking them out definitely had something to do with the Lu Family.

…

The affairs of the Jiang family didn’t impact Qiao Yun; at this moment, she was being paraded around the city by Li Hanzhou, and needless to say, after tonight’s birthday banquet, everyone knew Lord Li had taken a liking to Miss Lu from the Lu Family.

The Li Family was pleased with this.

While the Lu Family put on a strained smile, they also had to deal with people coming over to curry favor, acting as if they were the stars of the banquet.

This treatment was unheard of before, all thanks to Qiao Yun’s blessing.

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