Her face was aged and thin, covered in wrinkles like the bark of an old tree.
As she smiled, the creases bunched together, giving the impression of a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Her eyes were slightly narrowed, her eyelids drooping, and a sharp glint shone from her cloudy gaze, making her appear particularly harsh.
The moment Xia Wantang saw her, she felt an uncomfortable sensation.
In contrast, despite his aged appearance, Elder Situ still possessed a certain scholarly elegance and amiability.
"Yes, she is my granddaughter-in-law."
Old Madam Ling sensed her ill intentions and instinctively became wary.
This old shrew was never one to stay quiet in her youth and doted on that girl, Situ Jing, excessively. One could only imagine the wicked schemes brewing within her.
"Indeed, she is quite a match for your Yu Chen."
Old Madam Situ glanced sideways at Xia Wantang, her tone sarcastic and her expression peculiar.
In short, she made one feel profoundly uncomfortable.
However, in such a public setting, there was little she could do.
Yet, the seemingly close relationship between the two families appeared to be showing signs of strain.
Elder Ling raised his teacup and gestured to everyone, "Please, eat and drink well. Thank you all for remembering this old man. I'll toast you all with tea instead of wine."
After a round of pleasantries, the banquet officially commenced.
These banquets were generally not about filling one's stomach; they were mostly for social engagements.
Xia Wantang, naturally, maintained her composure, striving to appear elegant.
Truth be told, she disliked such occasions, but having married Ling Yuchen, such events would undoubtedly become commonplace.
While eating, she felt a persistent, subtle gaze upon her. This sensation, like a thorn in her back, made her very uneasy.
However, the current setting was not suitable for looking around, so she had to endure it.
Beside her, Ling Yuchen, while handling the elders' questions, kept an eye on her.
Sensing her discomfort, he quietly asked, "What's wrong?"
Xia Wantang shook her head gently and said nothing.
At that moment, an elder from a neighboring table asked with a smile, "I heard that the eldest young master Ling and Miss Xia have already registered their marriage. I imagine there will be good news soon. When are you planning the wedding? We'll have to come for a sip of wedding wine."
The surrounding conversation hushed at this remark.
Zhu Yunfei said with a smile, "They have indeed registered their marriage. As for the wedding, that's merely a ceremony, and the specifics depend on the young couple's plans. But we will certainly inform everyone in due time."
"That's true, young people have their own ideas."
As long as they were married, they were lawful spouses.
Today, Xia Wantang had attended the banquet as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Ling family, signifying her acceptance by the Ling family.
Whispers circulated around the room, but an aged voice stood out, causing the surrounding murmurs to subside.
"It's understandable that young people have their own plans, but the elders are getting old and simply wish to see the next generation.
However, it would be best to have the eldest grandson of the Ling family as soon as possible, so that the Ling family will have an heir."
"Second Uncle-Ancestor is right."
Zhu Yunfei maintained her polite smile and said calmly, "But if we elders meddle too much, it will only annoy the younger generation. It's better to let them make their own plans, and we can enjoy some peace."
The Second Uncle-Ancestor's expression stiffened, and he mumbled a reluctant silence.
Seeing this, the others dared not speak rashly or probe further.
In the past, everyone had assumed Ling Yuchen would eventually marry Situ Jing. Who would have thought it would be Xia Wantang, who lacked any family background?
If Situ Jing had married Ling Yuchen, the Situ family would very likely have become the second most prominent family under the Ling family.
In that scenario, the balance among the three major families might have been disrupted.
For years, everyone had their eyes on the position of the eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Ling family.
Therefore, it was inevitable that some would come to gauge the attitude of the Ling family members towards Xia Wantang.
However, the outcome clearly disappointed them.
Zhu Yunfei smiled as she toasted and conversed with everyone. Her presence was commanding, and she handled it with ease.
Xia Wantang didn't need to say or do anything; she just had to maintain her smile.
The attitude of the Ling family members represented everything; no one dared to show any contempt towards Xia Wantang.
Even though she was merely an adopted daughter, and she had no background, she was now undeniably the eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Ling family.
In a certain corner.
Situ Jing stared intently at the person basking in glory in the hall, her gaze deep and shadowed.
Her red lips were pressed together, her face expressionless, showing no hint of emotion.
Only she knew that her heart had long been drowned in jealousy and gloom, completely losing its reason.
"Sis, please eat something."
Situ Jun carefully placed a piece of sweet and sour pork rib on her plate, her favorite dish.
From the moment they entered the banquet, he had been paying attention to her mood. To his surprise, she just sat quietly, and this quietness made him feel uneasy.
Situ Jing slowly withdrew her gaze and picked up her chopsticks, staring at the ribs in her bowl.
She picked them up and put them down, picked them up and put them down, showing no intention of eating.
She lowered her head, concealing the expression in her eyes, and her entire being was eerily still.
Situ Jun felt a chill down his spine. Since Yu Chen had a partner, his sister had been acting more and more erratically.
Could it be that she had a mental breakdown after being too stimulated?
"Jing Jing, are you alright?" Su Yishen frowned, looking at her daughter with great concern.
She naturally knew her daughter's feelings for Ling Yuchen, but they were fated to be apart, and there was no point in saying more.
Situ Jing looked up and smiled brilliantly, "Mom, I'm fine."
There was not the slightest hint of any other emotion on her face.
Su Yishen stared at her intently for a moment, and seeing no anomaly, she felt slightly relieved.
"Jing Jing, Yu Chen has no interest in you, you should have let go long ago. There are plenty of good men in the world..."
Situ Chuanqi earnestly advised his daughter, but he stopped mid-sentence.
Because under the table, Su Yishen kicked him, signaling him not to bring up sensitive topics.
They looked at Situ Jing anxiously, afraid she would be provoked.
Situ Jing maintained a serene smile, as if she hadn't heard his words.
This eased their minds. Su Yishen glared at the person beside her, her eyes showing a hint of blame.
At his age, why did he still speak without thinking?
Situ Chuanqi guiltily scratched his head, avoiding her gaze.
However, Situ Jing's reaction made it seem as though she had completely let go of the matter. Thinking this, they were instead relieved.
Only Situ Jun kept glancing at his sister, feeling that something was not quite right, but he could not discern any abnormality at the moment.
Situ Jing picked up a rib from her bowl and ate it bite by bite, concealing her thoughts deep within her heart.
She had loved him for many years; it was etched into her very bones.
She wanted to let go, to find peace.
But she couldn't.
From the time she could remember, Ling Yuchen had occupied a place in her heart, and she couldn't let him go.
Ze Xi loved Jin Ning so much that he even wanted to die with her.
Yet, despite his love, he ended up with another woman.