CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: SLAP IN THE FACE(3)_1

All eyes were on Shangguan You and Shen Jia. Just a moment ago, Shen Jia had been so loud with her insults. Now, she seemed to have admitted defeat, softening her stance even before anyone else had spoken. It appeared the realization of their identities had frightened her. Indeed, such a jealous woman deserved to slap her own face.

Trouble comes from the mouth. This kind of woman is typical, deserving no sympathy. There are many like her at the annual banquets, constantly belittling others to elevate themselves. Such people often end up slapping their own faces, bringing trouble upon themselves.

"Miss Shen Jia, Youyou’s daddy is Shangguan Hao, and her mommy is Lin Mengjie. Youyou is no bastard child, nor is she the daughter of a mistress, nor does she have an identity that must be concealed. I do not want to hear such words again, nor do I wish to," Shangguan Qing’s voice rang out, word by word, making it crystal clear to everyone present, prompting them all to collectively catch their breath.

"Considering you are her classmate, I’ll let today’s incident slide. However, if I hear such words again, then I’m sorry, but it won’t just be our Shangguan Family demanding an explanation from you. The Lin Family will demand one too."

Shangguan Qing spoke in an even tone. Each sentence drained a little more color from the faces of Shen Cheng and the others.

"Shen Jia, remember this: even if you want to seek your own destruction in the future, at least be clear about who you’re dealing with. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you died," Shangguan You said softly into Shen Jia’s ear. Shen Jia was still slapping herself, and Shangguan You only allowed herself a slight smile after feeling Shen Jia’s body tremble.

"Shen Jia, not everyone is as forgiving as our Shangguan Family. So, think before you speak next time. If you offend the likes of Yu Zifeng and Yu Zijin, you might find yourself kneeling and begging them for mercy. It’s possible that the Shen Family could be ruined because of you. And if that happens, it will be your fault," Shangguan You said with a light laugh, glancing at Shen Jia before taking Shangguan Qing’s arm.

Yu Zijin’s expression soured. Those words had merely been in her mind; how had they slipped out?

Now that the Shangguan Family had seized on her slip of the tongue, using it to ridicule the Yu Family in front of so many witnesses, it was fruitless for her to try and take them back.

"Alright, since Young Master Qing and the young lady aren’t holding it against them, let’s move over there. Besides, this table can’t accommodate all of us," Zhang Yuchen said with a hearty laugh, glancing at Yu Zifeng’s troubled expression. In this first round, Yu Zifeng had lost again.

"It would be our honor to sit at the same table as Young Master Zhang and Young Master Yu," Shangguan Qing said with a light laugh. He, too, disliked the Shen Family. Those shortsighted fools will soon regret their behavior tonight.

"Let’s go."

"Sister Youyou, Brother Qing," Qi Zhuochen called out, watching them leave. He knew his own place, but he wanted to be with Shangguan You. In recent days, he kept dreaming that Shangguan You had saved him just as he was about to suffocate. He would open his eyes to see her relieved face. This dream repeated over and over, making him feel an inexplicable familiarity with her.

"Zhuo Chen, the princess of the Shangguan Family is not our equal," Old Qi said, sighing and shaking his head as he watched the group of young masters and ladies leave. "They are not in the same circle. Forcing oneself into their circle would only lead to more embarrassment."

They did not wish to become another Shen Jia.

"Jiajia, don’t speak so carelessly in the future. Those kinds of people are not ones we can afford to offend," Wanqian and her friends said, sighing in relief as the group left. They pulled the somewhat dazed Shen Jia along, gazing at her pretty face, now red and swollen with a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth. They couldn’t help but shake their heads.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as Duan Mei used a tissue to clean Shen Jia’s wounds. She truly couldn’t comprehend it. Shangguan You was the daughter of the Shangguan Family from Beijing! Why had she been so low-key? Why had she previously endured Shen Jia’s bullying without a sound, just letting Shen Jia bully her?

Duan Mei believed that if Shen Jia hadn’t caused this trouble, Shangguan You would have remained just as unassuming. Shen Cheng’s face was also deathly pale. They should have left after such a huge loss of face. But opportunities like this were rare. If they left now after finally encountering these people, he wouldn’t be able to rest easy. So, he and his group continued to sit.

Apart from the people involved in the earlier confrontation, no one else wanted to sit at their table. Shen Cheng had hoped to network with some high-ranking officials, but he no longer had the face to do so. Besides, the other guests kept their distance. They had just offended the Shangguan Family, so naturally, no one wanted to associate with them.

"Daddy, what is Shangguan Hao’s status? And what kind of family is the Shangguan Family?" Lan Xuan asked Lan Guohua, who was beside him. He had been staring intently at Shangguan You’s retreating figure and only now came back to his senses.

"Lan Xuan, your classmate is quite remarkable. Han Xiao, you’re fortunate to have such a student," Lan Guohua said, looking at the departing group and speaking teasingly to Han Xiao.

"It’s a great fortune for our school. I never expected our school to have someone from the Shangguan Family. And to think, she’s ranked first in her entire grade—no, the whole school!" Han Xiao replied with a smile.

"Lan Xuan," Lan Guohua began, "with Shangguan You’s status, even if you can’t become friends with her, you absolutely cannot afford to make her an enemy. She’s from a family leading in both political and military circles, a true princess. Offending them is like digging your own grave."

Lan Xuan glanced at the few people at the opposite table.

Lan Guohua then continued, "As the mayor, I have some understanding of the prominent figures in Beijing. Shangguan Hao, the commander-in-chief of a certain military region in Beijing, is a legendary figure. He’s the first in history to become a commander-in-chief before the age of forty. I never imagined Shangguan You would be his daughter."

"Her uncle, Shangguan Yu, is the provincial party secretary. Her grandfather, Shangguan Zhi, is a retired senior leader. The family are all ’red princelings,’ top figures in both military and political circles, wielding power and influence that are simply unmatched." Lan Guohua’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those at the same table to hear clearly.

"Daddy, what about Lin Mengjie? Who is she? Is she connected to the Lin Family in Beijing?" Lan Xuan asked, his voice hushed and low.

"Don’t talk about the Lin Family here!" Lan Guohua’s expression changed instantly. He made Lan Xuan shut his mouth, indicating that matters concerning the Lin Family were not to be discussed there. If they had to talk about it, it should be done in private at home, certainly not where others might overhear.