Saturday evening.
The setting sun gradually sank in the west, dyeing the horizon a fiery orange-red.
Just past six o'clock, the Qi Family Manor was already bustling with activity, as numerous guests had arrived early in their luxury cars.
Along both sides of the road, stretching from the manor gates to nearly two kilometers away, were meticulously arranged decorations brimming with romance and festivity.
Walls of hearts pieced together from pink and red roses, vibrant balloon walls of various colors... countless balloons were artfully woven together to form dazzling, multi-colored arches.
A gentle breeze swept through, causing the balloons to sway lightly, creating a scene straight out of a dream.
In addition, exquisite flower baskets and softly twinkling string lights were placed along the path.
The interweaving melodies of elegant music fostered an ethereal, fantastical atmosphere, making this engagement banquet appear unprecedentedly grand and stunning.
After parking their cars at the manor entrance, many young socialites, together with their close friends, began taking photos nearby to post on their social media circles.
"Wow, it's just an engagement party, but they've made it so extravagant!"
"Right? This looks like a billion-dollar engagement banquet! If it's already this lavish, imagine what the actual wedding will be like—it must be a once-in-a-century spectacle!"
"If the Qi family's eldest young master hadn't been paralyzed in both legs, the female lead today should have been Jiang Yonghe!"
"What a pity."
Jiang Yonghe and Jiang Xing had just arrived.
Getting out of the car and hearing the sighs from those socialites, Jiang Yonghe's expression turned complicated.
The engagement banquet was being held right at the Qi family's old manor. Seeing the elaborately decorated venue before her eyes, she couldn't help but feel a sour pang in her heart.
This grand, century-defining engagement banquet was originally meant for her.
"Not necessarily," someone questioned at that moment. "Perhaps it's precisely because the match was changed to Jiang Youli, the true heiress, that the Qi eldest young master went to such lengths to make the engagement banquet so grand. If it were with Jiang Yonghe, the adopted daughter, it might not have been the same."
"I've heard that before, when the Qi eldest young master was engaged to Jiang Yonghe, he never showed any indication of effort. They didn't even go on a single date alone."
"Is that true?"
"Probably not just baseless rumors. But after switching to Jiang Youli, the true heiress, the Qi eldest young master has been very proactive. I heard he planned this engagement banquet together with the Qi family patriarch, overseeing every detail and selection personally."
"That shows genuine care and effort."
Being compared unfavorably to Jiang Youli and receiving lower remarks, Jiang Yonghe's face darkened considerably.
Jiang Xing, who had gotten out of the car behind her, limped over to Jiang Yonghe's side and patted her shoulder. "Don't listen to their nonsense. Qi Huan not appreciating you back then was his poor judgment. After his legs were paralyzed, he's just... like that. You deserve better."
Jiang Yonghe forced a bright smile. "Actually, compared to marrying these young masters from top-tier wealthy families, I'd rather stay home and keep our parents company forever."
Jiang Xing smiled warmly. "Having that sentiment is enough. But you are so outstanding; you deserve a more excellent and powerful man to cherish you. With your qualities, even as the adopted daughter of our family, marrying someone of equal social standing would be more than sufficient."
"Big brother, are you saying that once I'm married, you won't dote on or protect me anymore?" Jiang Yonghe teased playfully.
Jiang Xing said, "Of course not. As your big brother, I will definitely dote on and cherish you for a lifetime."
Jiang Yonghe also smiled happily.
"Alright, let's go in."
"Mm."
Watching the retreating figures of the siblings Jiang Xing and Jiang Yonghe, the socialites and young heirs began gossiping again.
"Hey, did you notice? Jiang Zhao's right leg seems to be lame."
"At the welcome banquet last time, he was already walking with a limp using a cane. I thought he had a fall or something then. It's been a week now, and he's still not better. Could he really be crippled?"
"Who knows? Is it trendy for handsome guys to have broken legs now? The Qi eldest young master is paralyzed in both legs, and the Jiang eldest young master is lame in one leg."
"That's quite interesting."
"Shh—"
At that moment, the gossiping socialites and heirs fell silent because they noticed Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian, who had just stepped out of their car.
Jiang Yangxu gazed at them with a cold, stern look, while Qin Yulian wore an expression of fury.
Fortunately, they didn't say anything and strode towards the open manor gates.
The socialites and heirs breathed a sigh of relief.
...
"Everyone here tonight is supposed to be someone of status. What kind of behavior is it to gossip about others so casually behind their backs!" Hearing her eldest son being discussed like this, Qin Yulian was furious.
At first, she also thought her son Jiang Xing saying his leg was broken was just angry talk. But now she knew—Jiang Xing's leg was truly crippled!
Her husband, Jiang Yangxu, had already contacted the most experienced prosthetic specialist abroad to prepare the best artificial limb for their son.
Heaven envies talent! How could her son, so young, suffer such a fate!
At least compared to Qi Huan, her son only lost the use of one leg!
Jiang Yangxu said, "Don't pay attention to this gossip now. The most senior prosthetic specialist from abroad is already custom-making the most suitable artificial limb for Xing'er. In a while, after Xing'er gets the prosthesis, it won't affect his daily life. Then this gossip will fade away."
Qin Yulian pursed her lips. "I just find it unpleasant to hear."
Jiang Yangxu said coldly, "If you find this unpleasant now, just wait. If the entire Jiang family fortune ends up in the hands of my elder brother and his wife, you'll have to endure even more unpleasant talk behind your back."
Qin Yulian understood her husband's meaning. She shouldn't let these trivial matters upset her. Their focus now should be on figuring out how to seize the Jiang family fortune!
"I know. But Third Sister's husband, the Second Master of the Long family, has already agreed to help us arrange a meeting with Chairman Zhou. Plus, Yonghe will also work hard to win over the Zhou family's only son. I think securing the cooperation with the Zhou family is a sure thing."
"Mm." Jiang Yangxu's expression was grave.
Tonight, their family wouldn't be able to cause trouble for Jiang Youli. It remained to be seen whether the Qi family members would all behave themselves and resist the urge to take this opportunity to suppress Qi Huan.
Right now, he certainly did not want Qi Huan to become the Qi family heir!
...
"Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, you've really worked hard today. There are so many distinguished guests present; you must host them well. Don't let any mistakes happen on such an important occasion. Also, keep a close eye on Youli, don't let her cause any trouble here at the Qi family, or she'll disgrace our Jiang family name." Qin Yulian walked to the entrance and said to Zhang Susu and Jiang Yehan, who were receiving guests at the main gate, her words laced with insinuation.
Zhang Susu maintained a dignified smile, replying with equal implication, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. As long as there are no villains stirring up trouble, there won't be any issues. Her father and I will absolutely not let certain people, who only know how to scheme behind the scenes, ruin Youli's engagement banquet today."
Qin Yulian swept her gaze around the entrance, her smile laced with malice. "After all, this is the Qi family residence. I doubt you and your wife have the power to stop anything. Just look—on such an important day, Qi Huan's own father, Qi Tianxiang, isn't even here to greet the guests. It seems he's already given up on her. Once Qi Huan loses her standing within the family, who will be left to protect your troublesome daughter? You'd best tread carefully."
