CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 154 DIVORCE (5)_1

"Grandfather, Father, Uncle, I want to know what’s going on, and I have the right to know," Shangguan You’s cool voice declared. Why did Shangguan Hao have such a pained expression? Why? Could it have to do with her mother? But that mother... she had almost no memory of her at all. Instead, her impressions of Ouyang Xuan were deeper. What exactly was going on?

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Stop. When it’s time for you to know, you will be told. Now, go out," Shangguan Zhi cut them off, his tone authoritative. "Qing, take You for a walk in the courtyard. Mingle with some old friends. Go on."

"But, Grandfather," Shangguan You began, puzzled. It involved her; why couldn’t she know?

"You, my dear, go on. These matters don’t concern you. When it’s time, you’ll be informed," Shangguan Hao said gently, ruffling her hair.

"Go on, be a good girl. Shangguan Qing, take You out now," Shangguan Yu urged, his words indicating they were still unwilling to divulge the truth.

"Let’s go, my dear." Shangguan Qing took Shangguan You’s hand and led her out. Just as they opened the study door, a petite figure nearly tumbled inside—Shangguan Rou had been eavesdropping.

"Little sister, what are you doing here?" Shangguan You’s voice rose, tinged with a chill. She couldn’t believe Shangguan Rou would stoop to such actions.

"What’s wrong, Rou? Weren’t you just coming out of the restroom? Why are you here?" Li Wanying’s voice chimed in timely.

"Yes, Sister, Brother Qing. I was on my way to the restroom and just happened to be passing by," Shangguan Rou said with an awkward smile, allowing Li Wanying to lead her away.

Shangguan Qing and Shangguan You exchanged a grave glance. How much had Shangguan Rou heard? The faces of the others in the room also turned unsightly; Shangguan Zhi’s expression, in particular, darkened significantly. Given Shangguan Rou’s blatant eavesdropping, it seemed she had done such things before.

Could it be that despite their best efforts to keep matters secret, they had been exposed? From the very beginning, that mother and daughter had never considered themselves part of the Shangguan Family.

"Father, you saw it too, didn’t you? Do you think such sneaky behavior is befitting of my child? Compare You to her; the difference is clear. Father, is the Shangguan Family’s reputation really more important than your son?"

Shangguan Hao spoke somberly, a hint of pleading on his resolute face.

"Father, since my younger brother wants a separation, let’s find a solution. It’s not impossible. If we let them stay, it will be like nurturing a viper in our bosom—harming the Shangguan Family, not helping it." Shangguan Yu patted Shangguan Hao’s shoulder, his expression equally grave as he looked at Shangguan Zhi.

Shangguan You had left an eavesdropping spell in the room. She truly hadn’t expected this. Her father was clearly unwilling to marry Li Wanying, let alone acknowledge Shangguan Rou as his daughter. So, if he was so unwilling, why had he married her and brought a daughter he didn’t even recognize into their home?

"My dear, if you can’t figure it out, don’t dwell on it. You’ll find out when the time is right. Let’s go for a walk. We’ve just eaten, so it’ll help with digestion," Shangguan Qing said, ruffling her hair with a soft smile. They then stealthily slipped out the back door, avoiding Li Wanying and her daughter, who seemed to be guarding the main hall.

"Okay. Brother Qing, there’s someone I want to visit. Will you come with me?" Shangguan You said after a moment’s thought. Since they couldn’t uncover anything here, she might as well go see Lin Wenjie. Had he returned yet?

"Who does my dear want to visit?"

"Lin Wenjie. Brother Wenjie," Shangguan You replied, her eyebrows curving into a smile. "I haven’t seen him in so long; I’ve missed him." She recalled Lin Wenjie’s roguish charm, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"My dear, let’s visit him after the New Year. It’s not suitable to go now," Shangguan Qing said, frowning with evident concern.

"Why?" Shangguan You asked, puzzled. Why couldn’t she see Lin Wenjie? He was her cousin, and they had always been kind to her.

"My dear, your Second Uncle has just returned from the military. If you were seen visiting him today... do you know what might happen if someone with ill intentions saw you? Besides, the Lin Family is right here in Beijing. Why haven’t they actively approached you? Don’t you understand?" Shangguan Qing asked softly, holding her hand.

"I..." Shangguan You was at a loss for words. This confusing tangle of relationships... her head suddenly started to ache. The Lin Family, the Ouyang Family, the Shangguan Family, the Li Family, the Yu Family... individually, these connections seemed simple, but woven together, they became so complex.

"Alright, you’ll understand in time. Not letting you go now is for your own good, for the Shangguan Family’s good, and for Lin Wenjie’s good as well," Shangguan Qing said with a gentle smile. Seeing her furrowed brow, he softly smoothed it with his large hand.

"Don’t frown, my dear, or you’ll look old. There’s a banquet tomorrow night. Let’s go pick out some outfits. Your Second Uncle and the others will be attending, so let’s choose gowns for them too. You’re quite the spender, after all, so you’ll cover everyone from head to toe. Besides, Lin Wenjie will be there tomorrow night, so you’ll be able to see him then."

Shangguan Qing teased. Every year, on the day before Chinese New Year’s Eve, all the political elites of Beijing attended a grand banquet—an event that was both enviable and awe-inspiring, a gathering of all the powerful and influential.

Such a banquet naturally called for meticulous preparation.

"Alright, let’s go, Brother Qing! I’ll make sure everyone is dressed to the nines, dazzling enough to captivate anyone who sees them. We’ll have beauties flocking to surround you, Brother Qing! Hehehe."

Shangguan You said jokingly, already forming a plan in her mind.

"There’s no need to enthrall everyone; captivating my dear is enough for me," Shangguan Qing laughed heartily. They decided against taking a car, instead chatting and laughing as they walked out to catch a taxi for their shopping trip.

They both knew that if they drove, Shangguan Rou would follow. That was why they preferred to walk. Once again, they arrived at the Lin Family’s shopping mall, where they unexpectedly ran into someone.