Chapter 845: Leaving Gracefully
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Under Ye Leng’an’s scrutinizing gaze, Zhongyu Lingshan couldn’t help but feel a hint of panic, but she quickly regained her composure. Directly meeting Ye Leng’an’s eyes, she spoke calmly, “Miss Ye, I’m not sure what you’re implying. I’m simply concerned about my aunt. We share the same family name, and we’re relatives. Is it not permissible for me to speak up for my own kin?”
Ye Leng’an shrugged, neither confirming nor denying, “You really don’t need to be so anxious. What matters most is what you think. Others can’t interfere with that.”
Zhongyu Lingshan remained silent, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling that her thoughts were laid bare before the other party.
“Ye Leng’an, it’s not your place to intervene,” Zhongyu Liuying immediately stepped in to defend Zhongyu Lingshan. “She’s my niece and has every right to speak. As a junior, how dare you utter such words? Do you have no respect for us?”
She harbored no affection for Ye Leng’an, her supposed future daughter-in-law. In fact, she found Ye Leng’an more detestable than Zhong Yating. At least Zhong Yating, as a daughter-in-law, understood the need to please her in-laws. But Ye Leng’an showed no respect in their presence. Sometimes, her demeanor was even more insolent than Huangfu Ruiling’s.
Was she even fit to be called a daughter-in-law? To them, she was nothing short of an enemy. If not for Huangfu Ruiling’s autocracy, Ye Leng’an wouldn’t have gained their recognition.
This was why when Zhongyu Lingshan approached her, she almost instantly agreed without hesitation.
While Ye Leng’an’s attitude had not been particularly pleasant before, this time, she was blatantly disrespectful. It was as though she had thrown their parental authority to the ground and trampled upon it.
So, Zhongyu Liuying didn’t hesitate to rebuke Ye Leng’an.
However, as soon as Zhongyu Liuying finished, she felt a chill emanating from the depths of her heart. She looked up to see Huangfu Ruiling’s icy gaze fixed upon her. It wasn’t the gaze of a son towards his mother; it was more akin to that of someone looking at a corpse.
Instantly, Zhongyu Liuying felt her body stiffen, her breath becoming labored. A sinister chill enveloped her, inducing an unprecedented fear.
“Mother, are you alright?” Huangfu Ruixiang, sensing something amiss, reached out and tugged at Zhongyu Liuying’s sleeve with concern. “Do you feel unwell?”
He sensed that something was off with his mother. She seemed tense, her breathing quickened, her face drained of color as if she had seen something terrifying.
Huangfu Ruixiang’s voice snapped Zhongyu Liuying out of her fear-induced stupor. She breathed in deeply, feeling an eerie closeness to death upon encountering Huangfu Ruiling’s cold gaze.
It was the first time she realized that, in Huangfu Ruiling’s eyes, she didn’t exist as a mother. Merely scolding Ye Leng’an had brought forth Huangfu Ruiling’s murderous intent.
At that moment, she didn’t know whether to be angry or saddened for herself.
Huangfu Jingzhang, unaware of Zhongyu Liuying’s ordeal, noticed her pale complexion and asked, “What’s wrong? Do you need a doctor?”
He too was oblivious to Zhongyu Liuying’s state. Just moments ago, she had been fervently reprimanding Ye Leng’an, but now, she appeared pallid.
However, Huangfu Jingzhang thought this turn of events might work to their advantage. If Zhongyu Liuying truly felt unwell, it would provide an opportunity for Zhongyu Lingshan.
He harbored an intense aversion towards Ye Leng’an now.
When they clashed with Huangfu Ruiling, Ye Leng’an didn’t mediate but instead exacerbated the situation. How could such behavior befit a daughter-in-law? She was nothing short of an enemy!
“I’m fine.” Zhongyu Liuying shook her head, then clasped Huangfu Jingzhang’s hand and murmured, “Let’s leave.”
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Jingzhang’s expression darkened. Regardless of Zhongyu Liuying’s discomfort, he immediately reproached her in a hushed tone, “Stop acting out.”
Others were taken aback by Zhongyu Liuying’s sudden change in demeanor.
Ye Leng’an, however, shot a meaningful glance at Huangfu Ruiling before flashing a cryptic smile
“You should leave promptly,” Huangfu Ruiling commanded, glancing towards the dining hall. “You’ve disrupted us enough. If there’s nothing else, please leave.”
Such a blatant dismissal was akin to trampling on their dignity. The atmosphere turned sour.
Zhongyu Lingshan stood up, gazing at Huangfu Ruiling with a cold demeanor. “Since Master Huangfu has spoken, I won’t disturb you any longer. However, Master Huangfu ought to improve your manners. Even in the Hidden World, the Huangfu family isn’t the only prominent one. Therefore, such arrogance should be rectified.”
As a young lady of a prestigious family, Zhongyu Lingshan made a calculated decision to take her leave promptly.
She knew that prolonging their stay would only leave a negative impression on Huangfu Ruiling. Hence, it was better to depart gracefully and leave an indelible mark. However, the method of departure was crucial.
Having said her piece, Zhongyu Lingshan glanced meaningfully at Huangfu Ruiling before turning on her heels and leaving.
Her departure was swift and decisive, devoid of hesitation or regret. It was as though her visit today was merely coincidental, and since the hosts weren’t welcoming, she could leave without further ado.
Zhongyu Lingshan was confident that she had left a lasting impression on Huangfu Ruiling. Little did she know that Huangfu Ruiling hadn’t spared her a glance, let alone paid heed to her words.