The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot
Chapter 498 - Chapter 498 Chapter 498 Talking Gossip

Chapter 498: Chapter 498: Talking Gossip Chapter 498: Chapter 498: Talking Gossip The Zhong Family was as busy as could be, and the Lu Family was no exception. Especially for a great family like the Lu’s, the guests to be invited were all prominent figures in Xia Country, so there could be no negligence.

Both families were occupied with the engagement preparations.

In contrast, Lu Yichen and Zhong Nianyao, who were involved in the matter, were relatively free.

That day, Lu Yichen brought Zhong Nianyao to the Lu Family to discuss some issues regarding the engagement.

Upon their arrival, Old Madam Lu stated directly that she was unwell and delegated all responsibilities to Shi Shi, the head wife.

Seeing Old Madam Lu’s obvious dislike towards her, Nianyao felt nothing. After all, she wasn’t particularly fond of Old Madam Lu either.

Although Shi Shi also disliked Nianyao, she was, after all, Lu Yichen’s fiancee, and there was no significant direct conflict of interest with her, so Shi Shi felt it was unnecessary to clash with Nianyao and willingly took on the task.

Shi Shi diligently explained to Nianyao some of the procedures and matters to pay attention to regarding the engagement, handing over information about important figures that Nianyao needed to remember.

Lu Yichen stayed by Nianyao’s side, chiming in from time to time. Of course, he spoke to Nianyao, having almost no communication with Shi Shi throughout the process.

Shi Shi didn’t mind this. On the contrary, she might have felt more uncomfortable had Lu Yichen paid attention to her instead!

She had always felt somewhat intimidated by her younger uncle, Lu Yichen. Back when he was still sickly, she had already felt this way, though she wasn’t clear on the reason then. Now, however, it was all too clear and straightforward.

After finishing the discussion, Shi Shi conscientiously left on her own.

After discussing for so long, Nianyao naturally stayed for dinner.

Before dinner time, Lu Yichen had some matters to attend to. He initially wanted to take Nianyao with him, but she didn’t want to follow, so she stayed behind.

Sitting on the sofa, Nianyao was absorbed in playing with her phone, seemingly quite content.

“May I sit down?”

After an indeterminate amount of time passed, a gentle voice sounded.

Nianyao put down her phone and looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she still nodded, “Please sit! This isn’t my house anyway. Speaking of entitlement, you have more right than I do.”

The visitor was Long Jiarui.

This was, presumably, the first real conversation between her and Long Jiarui! It was hard to imagine what it would be like for them to sit together and chat, given their relationship.

Long Jiarui was Lu Chenran’s lawful wife, while she was the cousin of Lu Chenran’s mistress. Despite not being outright adversaries, their relationship couldn’t be said to be on good terms either.

“Why keep staring at me? Is there something on my face?” Nianyao asked.

After sitting down, Jiarui seemed to be discreetly observing something. Naturally, Nianyao did not like being studied as if she were a lab rat and spoke up directly.

Caught off-guard by Nianyao’s words, Jiarui gave a slight embarrassed chuckle before hastily explaining, “I was just admiring your beauty, which is why I looked a few extra times. Like a lotus flower rising from clear water, you possess natural beauty. You’re definitely one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen.”

Hearing such candid praise, Nianyao raised an eyebrow, showing no sign of embarrassment.

“Thank you!” Nianyao accepted the compliment naturally and then spoke somewhat reflectively, “To have you come and sit by me today is quite unexpected.”

“After all, it’s rare for us, with our kind of relationship, to sit down so peacefully for tea.”

“Why not?” Jiarui countered directly, “There’s no deep animosity between us, so why can’t we calmly sit and have tea? Besides–”

“I actually quite admire you, your personality.”

Upon hearing Jiarui’s words of admiration, Nianyao was somewhat taken aback. Yet, she could see that Jiarui wasn’t just being polite; she was speaking truthfully.

“Thank you.”

Nodding, Nianyao replied, “I thought you wouldn’t want to have much to do with me. Even though we aren’t sworn enemies, our relationship is somewhat awkward, isn’t it?”

“What’s there to be awkward about!” Jiarui gestured nonchalantly, “Lu Chenran’s mistress isn’t you; it’s just your cousin. Heck, even if she were your blood sister, there’d be nothing awkward about it!”

She seemed to be speaking from the heart.

“You’re quite interesting,” said Nianyao, leaning back against the sofa with a lazy tone, “But with such indifference, are you not concerned about Zhong Mengxuan, or is it Lu Chenran?”

From Jiarui’s demeanor, it was clear she didn’t care about her husband at all. Otherwise, how could she have such a jovial conversation with the cousin of her husband’s lover?

“I care about neither.”

Jiarui looked at Nianyao, smiled, and continued, “I’ll be honest with you, my marriage to Lu Chenran was a business alliance. Our union represented the joining of two powerful families, which was inevitable. However, this doesn’t mean we share deep affection.”

Nianyao understood, “No wonder. Then you must know about Lu Chenran having another mistress, right?”

“Of course!” Jiarui said matter-of-factly, “And I also know it was orchestrated by my dear mother-in-law. But it wasn’t aimed at me–it was targeted at your cousin!”

“Yes!” Nianyao nodded, “Because of that matter, Mengxuan indeed suffered a lot, and even resorted to desperate measures.”

Having said that, she recounted how Mengxuan had intrusively turned up at their families’ meeting.

Thus, the two women started gossiping together. Their spirited conversation made it seem as if they were old friends.

The servants who witnessed this scene were shocked.

Nonetheless, this was the masters’ business, not something for the servants to be involved with, so they kept their thoughts to themselves.

After a while, Jiarui couldn’t help but exclaim, “Talking to you is really entertaining, no, perhaps I should say, you’re a very interesting person.”