The next day, early in the morning, Chu Xiyao made her way to the Fu family estate.
Having not waited for Fu Qiyuan last night, she wanted to try her luck this morning.
The atmosphere at the Fu family seemed even heavier than the night before, with servants whispering all the way.
Occasionally, she could hear whisperings of "Eldest Young Master" and "Eldest Young Madam."
Chu Xiyao curled her lips, walked into the main living room of the estate, and saw Old Master Fu sitting on the sofa with a gloomy face, his anger even more intense than yesterday.
The smile on Chu Xiyao’s face deepened; she approached the Old Master and cheerfully asked,
"What’s wrong, Grandpa? Who upset you so early in the morning? Could it be Qi Xiu again?"
Old Master Fu snorted coldly, "Getting angry with that little brat? I’d have been furious to death many times over."
Chu Xiyao smiled and joked, "Could it be Qiyuan? That can’t be right. He’s the one who respects you the most."
At these words, Old Master Fu’s expression stiffened and began to look somewhat unsightly.
Not only had Tao Wanqing and Su Ran not come home last night, but his beloved grandson had also not returned.
He didn’t need to guess where he had gone.
As the Head of the Fu family, he was lowering himself to cajole a woman; a little temper tantrum from her and he was all too eager to appease her.
And that daughter-in-law of his, what’s she making a fuss about? Couldn’t she focus her extra thoughts on Beichen?
"Grandpa, are you worried about Auntie and Sister-in-law? Don’t worry, I’ve been to where they’re staying, it’s very safe, there won’t be any problems."
How could Old Master Fu possibly be concerned about their safety?
So, hearing Chu Xiyao’s words, his anger flared up again.
"Hmph! I thought she was a good one at first, but I didn’t expect her to be so clueless. It’s only been a few days, and she’s already throwing these little tantrums?"
Chu Xiyao’s lips curled into a shallow smile, "Grandpa, don’t be angry just yet. It’s normal for a woman to be a little willful, but Sister-in-law really went too far this time! I believe Qiyuan will make his own considerations. It’s not just family background that matters when two people are together, temperament and character need to be compatible, too."
So thinking of marrying into the Fu family, where is it that easy?
Hearing Chu Xiyao’s words, Old Master Fu sank into thought for a moment.
Chu Xiyao didn’t say any more, her face still kept a generous and appropriate smile.
At that time, Fu Qixiu, looking as if he had just woken up, yawned and came in from outside. Chu Xiyao saw him and naturally greeted him informally.
"Qi Xiu, good morning."
Fu Qixiu yawned and gave her a sideways glance, "Yo, up so early? Isn’t today the birthday banquet of Madam Chu? Why aren’t you busy at home? Why come to the Fu family’s place so early in the morning?"
The living room suddenly became quiet!
Everyone’s eyes quietly fell on Chu Xiyao.
Today was the birthday banquet for Madam Chu, and also Chu Xiyao’s mother. Why wouldn’t she be handling the preparations and instead come to the Fu family early in the morning?
In fact, everyone was well aware of Chu Xiyao’s little schemes, but now that Fu Qixiu had pointed it out so bluntly, a sense of embarrassment filled the air of the living room.
Chu Xiyao’s face went embarrassingly pale, her whole body exuded awkwardness.
"Those matters don’t need me to get involved personally. I... I had an appointment with Auntie for styling."
"If you had an appointment with my mom, you should go to the hotel, right? What are you doing coming here to the house? Could it be you didn’t know she didn’t come home last night?"
Chu Xiyao was completely stuck there, overwhelmed with embarrassment.
She could even feel the covert glances from all sides falling on her.
Old Master Fu, who was observing Chu Xiyao’s helpless state, spoke up at the right time.
"Your aunt hasn’t returned yet, so go directly to the hotel to find her. Don’t delay matters."
Old Master Fu had provided Chu Xiyao with a way out, and she naturally didn’t want to miss it. She smiled awkwardly and said,
"Okay, Grandpa, I thought aunt and the others had already returned. Well... I’ll go to the hotel to find them."
Old Master Fu nodded his head. On the side, Fu Qixiu secretly curled his lip, his smile full of profound meaning.
"You’re going to the hotel? Perfect, here are the clothes my brother had prepared for changing. You can bring them along to them."
Chu Xiyao’s body stiffened for a moment, and she turned her head to look at Fu Qixiu, her voice somewhat mechanical.
"Are you saying that Qi Yuan is also at the hotel?"
Fu Qixiu raised his eyebrows, his expression very distinct.
Chu Xiyao’s face turned pale, and her smile was somewhat forced, "Why would he be at the hotel?"
Fu Qixiu curled his lip, "Isn’t that a silly question? Of course, he’s there to accompany his wife. With sister-in-law not at home, we can’t just let my brother languish in an empty room by himself."
The smile on Chu Xiyao’s face could no longer be maintained. She jerked her lips stiffly and couldn’t speak a word.
After a long time, she finally responded softly, "...Really?"
Fu Qixiu raised his eyebrows and looked at her with a half-mocking smile, "Going to the hotel, you might as well ask my brother about the quarrel with sister-in-law."
Chu Xiyao’s complexion changed, and her heart was somewhat panicked. She didn’t dare to lift her head to meet Fu Qixiu’s eyes.
Old Master Fu was feeling uneasy inside, and Fu Qixiu’s words made him frown slightly.
"What do you mean by that?"
Fu Qixiu sprawled on the sofa, his face brimming with smiles.
"Ah, I heard people gossiping this morning about my sister-in-law having a quarrel with my brother and then dragging my mother to leave home.
It’s really strange. Yesterday, it was clearly my mother who had a row with my father. My mother was in a bad mood and wanted to get some fresh air outside. Sister-in-law was worried about her being alone, so she accompanied her.
I don’t know why, but as it spread, the story got twisted before it reached home. Grandpa, don’t you think it’s quite odd?"
Old Master Fu’s brow furrowed slightly, and his sharp eyes fell on Chu Xiyao.
Feeling the intense scrutiny on herself, Chu Xiyao lowered her eyes, her body tense.
"You’re saying it was your mother and your father who fought yesterday?"
Fu Qixiu nodded, "Yes, my brother knows too."
Old Master Fu pursed his lips and remained silent.
Fu Qixiu rested his hands behind his head and sighed deeply.
"Huh, rumors nowadays are truly frightening, and I have no idea who’s been maliciously wagging their tongues behind our backs. If my brother finds out, tsk tsk tsk..."
Chu Xiyao’s eyelids twitched, and she stood up from the sofa.
"Grandpa, I... I’ll go to the hotel now to find sister-in-law and aunt..."
Old Master Fu looked at her, then nodded and said, "Go ahead."
After Qi Yuan got up, washed up, and ordered breakfast, he walked over to sit by the bed and looked at the girl’s tranquil sleeping face, his eyes unconsciously brimming with a smile.
He reached out to play with a lock of hair spread on the pillow, then started to playfully mess with her face.
The ticklish sensation on her face made Su Ran frown slightly, but she didn’t open her eyes, just waved her hand, then turned over and continued to sleep.
Qi Yuan was amused by her adorable action and let out a gentle, low chuckle, then caught another strand of hair and kept teasing.