Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him
Chapter 458: Qiao Xi’s Tough Counterattack

Chapter 458: Chapter 458: Qiao Xi’s Tough Counterattack

"Young Madam Huo, please wait a moment!"

The butler hurried over, stopping in front of Qiao Xi with respectful words, "Please wait, our Mr. Guan would like to see you in the study."

Mrs. Guan was flabbergasted, "Old Butler, are you mistaken? Why would my father-in-law want to see a young girl like her?"

Even the onlooking guests were filled with surprise.

Qiao Xi looked at Mrs. Guan, whose face was drastically changing, and at the weeping fool of the Guan Family, her lips curling up, "Me? But your lady was rude and ordered the servants to drive me away."

Do I look like someone who can be summoned and dismissed at will?

If I were to eagerly follow to the study, that would be an embarrassment to both the Huo Family of Haicheng and the Liu Family!

Once I arrived in the Imperial Capital, I represent more than just the name Qiao Xi!

Sun Weimeng raised his voice, "Exactly. This fool went mad at us, and there’s also a troublemaker stirring up strife. Mrs. Guan wanted to drive us away without knowing the facts. We certainly don’t wish to stay in this ominous place."

Lu Yan angrily asked, "Who are you calling a troublemaker?"

"Whoever responds is the one," came the retort.

"Gentlemen!" the butler interjected, trying to mediate, "Please don’t argue. Young Madam Huo, it’s our Guan Family’s negligence in hospitality that has caused you distress."

Mrs. Guan was holding her foolish son, feeling indignant, "Old Butler, look at what has happened to Wenli! Why are you still taking her side? The father-in-law loves Wenli the most. You must be mistaken?"

"Oh, Madam!"

The butler was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan, "Please, Madam, spare your words!"

Seeing the butler’s demeanor, Qiao Xi was even more certain that Mr. Guan wanted to see her for a reason -- a reason even Mrs. Guan was unaware of.

Qiao Xi’s expression was cool, her voice slow, "Butler, we will not attend the birthday banquet. Ever since I arrived in the Imperial Capital, I might have learned from Young Master Lu to be petty and always keep score."

"You..." Lu Yan didn’t expect to be targeted and insulted.

Qiao Xi rolled her eyes, as if no one was present.

Sun Weimeng joined in the provocation, "Let’s go, let’s go! I don’t want to stay in this shabby place either. Unless certain people can speak kindly and apologize, then maybe, if I’m in a good mood, I might stay."

"You... you..." Mrs. Guan pointed at them with her well-maintained nails, "You beat up my son and now you want me to apologize? In your dreams!"

"Madam! Please humble yourself," the butler pleaded, jumping anxiously, and finally whispered something to her.

Unexpectedly.

Mrs. Guan’s mouth fell open in shock after hearing those words, her gaze turning towards Qiao Xi.

The old butler earnestly pleaded, "Madam, he is an honored guest invited by Mr. Guan. Our young master usually just lifts skirts; today’s incident seems suspicious. Let’s wait to investigate after Mr. Guan’s birthday banquet. Right now, it’s most important to keep the guests here. Please... apologize!"

Mrs. Guan’s face contorted.

She had just issued a harsh statement, and now she was supposed to apologize, which was a hit to her face.

But recalling the words the butler had just uttered...

She had to apologize!

Suppressing her discomfort, she approached Qiao Xi, lowering her stance, "Young Madam Huo, I was too impulsive and frightened you, I’m sorry. Please don’t take offense with someone like me. You are a distinguished guest invited by my father-in-law and a V.I.P. to our Guan Family."

She had softened.

And there was a bit of sincerity in her tone.

Seeing Qiao Xi remain silent without responding, Mrs. Guan clenched her teeth and bowed, "I was in the wrong, please come in."

Everyone around was curious, speculating what the butler had said to Mrs. Guan to make the usually haughty and protective Mrs. Guan lower her head.

Qiao Xi exercised restraint, saying just enough.

Her soft voice rang out, "Then thank you for guiding the way."

"Sure!"

The butler wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, having nearly driven out an important guest of Mr. Guan.

Thank goodness! Thank goodness!

"Young Madam Huo, this way, please. Let’s go to the study first..."

"Mhm."

Qiao Xi followed him out, and Old Chen also tagged along smoothly.

Sun Weimeng lingered behind, looking at Lu Yan and cursed, "I was wrong to call you a shit-stirrer just now. You’re nothing but a pile of shit, liking to disgust people wherever you go."

After speaking, he swung his arms behind his back and walked away nonchalantly.

Lu Yan’s face darkened with raging fury.

He thought that by using the Guan Family fool he could get the Guan lady, so eager for her child’s affection, to drive Qiao Xi out of the banquet. By then, she would have completely lost face in the Imperial Capital. No matter how high her status, she would still be looked down upon.

Everyone would say it was a joke that the disciple of the National Doctor from Haicheng was driven out of the Guan Family birthday feast!

But he hadn’t anticipated that the tables would turn.

What in the world had the old butler said to Madam Guan?

As the guests who enjoyed watching the commotion dispersed, Xiang Ze came up to him and whispered, "The most important thing tonight is not to deal with Qiao Xi. Don’t forget the instructions of the elders at home. We’re supposed to take down Guan Jingtan."

"Don’t worry, brother Ze. I’ve already made arrangements, just wait for the good news. But I always feel like something is off..." Lu Yan keenly sensed that something was amiss.

"We’ll investigate after the birthday feast is over, first let’s see where Guan Jingtan is."

"Understood."

...

As night fell, the sky turned pitch black.

Qiao Xi, holding up her skirt, followed the butler into the banquet hall, and the surrounding guests were momentarily stunned upon seeing this new face.

Then they quickly resumed their conversations, but now the center of their talks was Qiao Xi, occasionally observing her with peripheral glances.

The Guan Family’s old butler was always thorough and polite in his duties, but he was overly respectful to Qiao Xi, which was strange.

As Qiao Xi walked past the crowd, the air had a faint and refreshing fragrance dispersed within.

She could faintly hear words like "Cinderella," "disciple of the National Doctor," and "Young Madam Huo."

The butler respectfully led her up the staircase made of golden nanmu wood.

"Please, after you."

"Mm."

Qiao Xi followed him to the second floor and found the décor to be another world altogether, befitting of the former Royal Residence.

The butler led her around two turns of the staircase, and through the carved openwork wooden windows, she could see the Royal Residence’s artificial lake and other small courtyards, with the nighttime scenery being especially beautiful.

The butler explained, "This is the Hundred Steps Scenery. Each window offers a different view, varying with the seasons as well. Walking around, you can almost see all the scenery of our Guan Family. Over there planted with bamboo is the eldest miss’s residence, and to the left are the maids’ quarters.

Up ahead is Mr. Guan’s study, and there are also other stair exits here."

Qiao Xi glanced briefly, indeed seeing several exits.

"Could the two of you please halt? Our Mr. Guan wishes only to see Young Madam Huo."

The butler looked politely at Old Chen and Sun Weimeng, his body blocking their path.

"I must ensure Young Madam’s safety and cannot leave her side."

"I also promised Xingzhou, who knows whether the Guan Family head is reputable or not."

The butler was quite troubled.

Qiao Xi softly consoled, "It’s okay, I’ll go in by myself. You two can wait for me at the door. If there’s any danger, I’ll call for help." Her dress hid several silver needles, ready for self-defense.

Qiao Xi wouldn’t underestimate him just because he was a seventy-year-old elder.

Old heads can be quite dangerous these days.

Old Chen nodded, "In that case, Young Madam be careful. We will stand right here and not go anywhere."

"Mm."

Only then did the butler knock on the door and remind, "Mr. Guan, the distinguished guest has arrived."

After a moment, he slowly opened the thick wooden door and invited Qiao Xi inside.

Qiao Xi pursed her lips and walked in by herself.

The heavy door behind her slowly closed.