Zhang Susu retorted sharply, "If your own daughter is bullied and you still have to swallow your pride, calling that sensible, then that truly brings shame upon the family."
Old Madam Long frowned and said, "I never expected Madam Jiang to become so sharp-tongued. It seems the influence of this newly acknowledged daughter of yours is quite significant."
As she spoke, she glanced at Jiang Youli. Although the girl's audacious attitude was displeasing, one had to admit her nerve was remarkable—she showed not a trace of fear in her presence.
"I wonder what kind of charm this girl from your Jiang family possesses, making so many people in the capital city view her in a different light all of a sudden."
At this mention, Zhang Susu replied without hesitation, "Because Youli is exceptional enough."
"Hah? Exceptional?" Old Madam Long sneered at this answer. She, this old woman, didn't believe a single one of the rumors circulating outside about this Miss Jiang. "The capital city is never short of exceptional young people. How exceptional can a country girl who sells herbs and practices medicine, just brought back from outside, possibly be?"
Zhang Susu stated bluntly, "Because you're old, prone to having your view blocked by a single leaf."
Jiang Youli chuckled and praised, "Mom, your words are getting more and more cutting too."
Zhang Susu instantly turned shy, "It's alright, still a bit lacking compared to you."
Old Madam Long: "..."
Is this really the time for comparisons?!
Having been in her position for so long, Old Madam Long had never suffered such indignity, especially not from two juniors from families inferior to her own.
Her voice turned several degrees colder, her face etched with sarcasm as she said, "Last night, for this girl from your Jiang family and the Qi family's eldest young master's engagement banquet, although our Long family wasn't invited, I saw the news. It was extravagantly grand, showing that not only Young Master Qi, but even Grandpa Qi must be quite satisfied with this future granddaughter-in-law at the very least..."
Before she could finish, Zhang Susu spoke first, "That's right. Grandpa Qi has better discernment than you, able to recognize how exceptional this child Youli is."
Old Madam Long: "..."
Old Madam Long was not pleased to hear this. "Is that so? What a joke. Before, the entire capital social circle was praising how intelligent and capable the Qi family's eldest young master was, saying that once he became the heir, the Qi family would leave us other wealthy families far behind in the future. In my opinion, he's nothing special. First, he was crippled by his own younger brother, and now he's actually subdued by such a little girl."
"And Grandpa Qi, I heard his health hasn't been good since a serious illness. I never thought he'd be so confused by sickness as to approve of such a girl. It seems the Qi family is truly in peril."
Jiang Youli said dismissively, "Old Madam Long, there's no need for you to worry about how our Jiang family and the Qi family are doing. I dare not boast about other things, but with me treating Grandpa Qi, he will definitely live longer than you."
"You impudent girl!" Old Madam Long was infuriated by her words. "You're cursing me to die early!"
Jiang Li was also stunned. She originally thought Jiang Youli only dared to be disrespectful to elders like them in the Jiang family. She never imagined she had misjudged her!
Jiang Youli dared to look down upon any elder indiscriminately; she even dared to slap Old Madam Long's face directly!
Second Master Long could not tolerate Jiang Youli showing such contempt for his mother. He immediately turned on Jiang Youli and said fiercely, "I see you've truly come to our Long family seeking death! Then I'll finish you off today and see if that old fossil of the Jiang family really dares to challenge our Long family over it!"
After saying this, he picked up a communication intercom placed on the sofa and angrily commanded, "Send several men to the main hall immediately!"
Zhang Susu grew nervous inside. The old master had told them to bring bodyguards, but Youli said they weren't needed, so they didn't bring a single one.
But if Second Master Long really took action against them, what should they do?
Seeing that her husband, Second Master Long, had finally lost his patience and was going to move against Jiang Youli, Jiang Li was immensely pleased. "Jiang Youli, let's see how arrogant you are now!"
Jiang Youli glanced at her and feigned sympathy, saying, "Third Aunt, if I were you, I wouldn't be so happy."
Jiang Li was taken aback, not understanding.
Jiang Youli continued, "Last night at my engagement banquet, Second Master Long knew about me making you kneel and apologize. He even came to the Long family today to have you kneel and apologize to me. Second Master Long showed no intention of defending you. Now, his old mother was merely mocked by me, and that's what enraged him enough to take action. Don't you think you're pitiful? In his eyes, you, his wife, are utterly worthless. I don't know what you're so happy about."
Jiang Li: "..."
Of course she knew! But she had already complained, what more could she do!
Jiang Li could only fiercely deceive herself: "No matter what, I have endless money to spend!"
"If you really had endless money to spend in the Long family, why were you so desperate to go back and join the commotion to make a bet with me? It probably wasn't just because you disliked me and wanted to humiliate me, but also because you wanted to fight for a portion of the Jiang family's assets, right?" Jiang Youli exposed her directly.
Jiang Li was left speechless, glared at her, and stopped arguing.
Shortly after, four tall and burly bodyguards hurried in through the door.
"Seize these two women! Make them kneel and apologize to my mother!" Second Master Long immediately issued the order.
Bullying his wife Jiang Li was one thing, but bullying his mother was unacceptable!
Zhang Susu immediately reached out nervously and grasped Jiang Youli's hand.
Jiang Youli shook her head at her beautiful new mother, signaling her not to worry. Before the four bodyguards could get close, she withdrew her hand, pulled four silver needles from her sleeve, and swiftly flicked them out.
The four bodyguards only felt a sharp sting on their necks. Before they could react to what happened, they all collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth and convulsing violently.
Seeing this, Zhang Susu realized—she had seen this move before! Qin Yulian had suffered from it previously!
It seemed her worry was indeed unnecessary; Youli had ample ability to protect herself!
Jiang Li was startled by the sight of the fallen bodyguards. "What did you do to them?"
Second Master Long was also greatly shocked, completely unprepared for the situation before him.
The scrutiny in Old Madam Long's eyes towards Jiang Youli grew even more intense.
Jiang Youli shrugged and said, "As you can see, we have no intention of letting this go. So, what does your Long family plan to do? Are you going to take action against us? Or are you planning to ruin our Jiang family?"
Second Master Long, fearing he might end up like the four bodyguards convulsing and foaming on the floor, warned with great vigilance, "You two probably have no idea what our Long family relied on to build its fortune and reach its current status, do you? Otherwise, you wouldn't dare to run wild and act recklessly here in our Long family!"
"Ah, Second Master Long, you are mistaken there. I actually do know the origins of your Long family's rise."
After all, Jiang Youli knew that after returning to the Jiang family, she would inevitably have to deal with these wealthy families in the capital city. How could she not have Ye Ying investigate the backgrounds of all the major families?
Especially these top-tier wealthy families in the capital.
"The Qi family's foundation is clean; they engage in legitimate business. Their success relies on each successive head of the family possessing sharp acumen and long-term strategic vision. They've managed to stay ahead of major market shifts several times, seizing opportunities and accumulating their position step by step to achieve their current stature."
"The Zhou family has a background in medical research, backed by the state, ensuring stable development and a solid foundation."
"The Duan family happened to catch the biggest wave of the internet boom, but in recent years, because they failed to seize the lower-tier market early on, a significant portion of their market share has been taken by others. Lately, they've begun to show some signs of fatigue and are on a downward trend."
"As for your Long family..." Jiang Youli said up to this point, looking meaningfully at Old Madam Long.
