CHAPTER 432: CHAPTER 432: PETTINESS

The villa had clusters of lights starting from the main gate, and when the car stopped at the doorstep, someone assisted with parking while the servants guided the guests.

With each step they took inside, Jiang Liu’s expression grew more complicated. Even a small potted plant by the roadside was a rare and precious variety, and the servants who came and went were well-trained, greeting guests calmly and fluently speaking British English to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed ladies, conducting themselves with more precision and elegance than graduates of the British Butler Academy.

This was the true strength of a grand family, with noble blood flowing through every aspect of the household. The Gu Family’s prominence was not solely due to their wealth.

Having lived abroad for several years and mingled with some countesses, Jiang Liu believed herself to be part of the nobility. Yet, upon entering the Gu Family’s courtyard now, she felt a sense of inferiority.

As they walked into the spacious hall, Jiang Liu gazed indifferently at the luxurious decor. The opulence here wasn’t about how lavish the furnishings were, which would appear vulgar, but about the composed and grand arrangement that closely matched President Gu’s personality.

Jiang Liu looked at the interior setup before suddenly gripping her husband’s arm tightly. "Isn’t that painting on the wall the Gledan collection from the Louvre?"

This was one of the most valuable postmodernist paintings. She remembered Earl Bill had once tried to borrow this painting from the museum, but the request was denied. Yet now, it was boldly displayed in the Gu Family’s hall.

He Feng’s eyes also showed shock as he took a few steps closer, "Yes, that’s right, it’s that one."

Jiang Liu tugged at her husband, "Why are you acting like you’ve never seen the world? It’s so embarrassing."

He Feng glanced around. Many others, besides him, were also expressing reverence for the famous painting, and he said, "I’m not the only one who hasn’t seen the world."

He Sirui felt her face burning with shame seeing her parents act this way. The Gu Family had outclassed the He Family with just a single painting.

She had previously dared to claim that she was a match for Gu Yikun, but now, she didn’t dare make such statements anymore.

The distance between the He Family and the Gu Family was astronomically vast.

Jiang Liu’s expression was somewhat awkward, and she told her daughter, "You knew Yi Ke earlier than An Junxi did, so why didn’t you seize the opportunity? You’ve wasted my good genes, making you so beautiful, yet you can’t even compare to a country girl."

He Sirui was speechless. Her mother wasn’t wrong. If she had seized the opportunity a few years earlier, she would now be the mistress of this palace.

Not far away, Liang Huiyun and Gu Kuangyuan were chatting with the in-laws. The moment the He Family entered, Liang Huiyun noticed them and couldn’t help but observe their lack of decorum.

Liang Huiyun whispered to her husband, "It’s been years since I last saw Jiang Liu, and she still has that small-minded temperament, not fit for the grand stage."

Gu Kuangyong responded, "Why do you care about others? Their family has nothing to do with us."

"How can you say that? I’m worried He Feng and Yin Handedong might be plotting something. Otherwise, why would they invite them over? Neither are easy to deal with."

"Do you think Yi Ke wouldn’t have thought of that? Stop worrying."

"Later, you should go have a drink with them. I’ll go see Jiang Liu."

Gu Kuangyong, having no solution, replied, "Go ahead. Women are... troublesome."

Liang Huiyun told the in-laws, "Let’s go greet the guests. Xiao Luo will take care of you all the way. If you need anything, just let Xiao Luo handle it. You’re not outsiders, so don’t be shy."

Liang Huiyun usually carried herself with the air of a noblewoman, but after being reminded by her husband many times, she recognized how much influence Yi Ke’s wife had on him. She feared that if An Junxi harbored any resentment, their relationship with the younger generation would grow distant.

Thus, she always treated the in-laws sincerely. With so many guests today, Liang Huiyun especially took care of the two elders of the An Family.

In this setting, outsiders were watching closely to see how she treated the An Family. If she didn’t handle it well, not only would her family lose a good reputation, but the An Family would also be accused of overreaching.

Having never seen much of the world, An Dexe and his wife kept their daughter’s advice in mind in such settings. They didn’t need to do anything. If someone greeted them, they just smiled.

Mrs. An understood this sort of occasion. She could tell her mother-in-law was specially taking care of them and said, "We’ll sit here. You go ahead. Jun Xi will be down shortly."

Having greeted several guests, Liang Huiyun and Gu Kuangyong saw He Feng and Jiang Liu approaching with He Sirui following quietly and elegantly behind her parents after exchanging greetings.

Liang Huiyun was neither warm nor cold towards He Feng and Jiang Liu, exchanging a few words before letting them be on their own.

Jiang Liu then mingled with other madams while Liang Huiyun called a servant over, "Which table is the He Family seated at?"

"Madam, the He Family and the Yin Family are seated at Table 9 in the side hall, by the window near the garden."

Liang Huiyun displeased, said, "Why are they seated together?"

He Feng and Yin Handedong had long-held grudges. In this world, there were no eternal enemies, and they might join forces for their interests, causing troubles for Yi Ke.

The servant explained, "Young Master instructed it. The butler made last-minute adjustments to the seating this morning."

Liang Huiyun couldn’t understand her son’s thinking. Yi Ke usually didn’t bother with such trivial matters, so why had he specifically arranged for them to sit together now?

Yin Handedong and Tao Manqiu had arrived early, and Gu Jin saw them at the entrance, calling out, "Grandfather, Grandmother." Yin Handedong wanted to hug his grandson, but Gu Jin remained distant, "Grandfather, Grandmother, please go inside and sit. I’m waiting for my friend."

He didn’t let them hug him.

Tao Manqiu saw her grandson avoiding them like the plague, causing her makeup to nearly fall off.

Seeing his parents’ displeasure, Yin Feibai teased his young nephew, "Jin Xiu has grown up; he won’t let his grandparents hold him anymore. You used to live at our house when you were two, and Grandfather held you all the time."

Gu Jin didn’t remember things from such a young age. He wasn’t as lively as his sister when he was two.

But he was on good terms with his uncle, who had never badmouthed his mother, "Uncle, my friend will arrive soon. I don’t want her to see me being carried by adults."

"Oh? What friend is so important to our little young master?"

Gu Jin replied, "My deskmate. I only invited one friend."

Yin Feibai showed great interest, "The aloof young master made a friend at school? I bet they’re even cooler than you."

"My deskmate is a girl."

Yin Feibai’s jaw dropped, "A girl?"

Gu Jin retorted, "Can’t it be a girl?"

Yin Feibai was speechless for a long time. It was surprising to see his young nephew spending time with a girl!

Tao Manqiu asked, "Jin Xiu, which family’s child is your deskmate from? What’s her father’s name? You’re the young master of the Gu Family; you can’t just casually befriend any girl..."