Jiang Jiaojiao spoke up, breaking the subtle atmosphere. "Sister, we're discussing your engagement banquet with your father-in-law."
Jiang Shang sat down next to Jiang Jiaojiao and realized that the man in front of her was Gu Siheng's father, Gu Yin.
Jiang's mother handed the engagement banquet plan to Jiang Shang and Gu Siheng respectively, with obvious flattery.
"This is the plan that Jiaojiao and I worked on for several nights. Then Miss Ningxi revised it. We hope it will satisfy you."
Jiang Shang read the plan carefully. There was nothing wrong with the general direction. It was a plan that was neither outstanding nor would it go wrong.
Jiang Shang cast a suspicious look at the Jiang mother and daughter. Offering favors for no reason was surely a sign of some evil scheme. The Jiang mother and daughter had been so obedient and submissive recently. They must be brewing some big plot.
After all, it was hard for Jiang Shang to believe that a mother who, in order for her other daughter to marry into the Gu family, didn't even care if her own daughter lost her innocence and was even tortured to death, could turn over a new leaf.
It was her own engagement banquet after all. Jiang Shang cared more about it than others and was even more afraid of something going wrong.
"Come to my room after dinner, sister. Let's discuss some details."
Gu Siheng also responded softly. "If mother-in-law's ideas don't conflict with the drinks I'm in charge of, considering the tight schedule, we can temporarily finalize a rough plan."
Gu Siheng's address of "mother-in-law" stimulated the vanity deep in Jiang's mother's heart. Thinking that she was now the in - law of the Gu family, she unconsciously straightened her back.
Jiang's mother unconsciously started to order Jiang Shang around. "Jiaojiao is more experienced than you after all. You should cooperate more with Siheng and Jiaojiao's arrangements."
Gu Ningxi came downstairs and just heard their conversation.
As if she had heard some shocking news, the look in her eyes when she looked at Jiang Shang was full of complex emotions.
"Sister - in - law, I heard that the mysterious fortune - teller in the news about the 'swallowing up of a childless family' is you?"
The woman's tone sounded like an inquiry, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of unwillingness and disbelief.
As soon as the words were out, everyone's hearts skipped a beat. The news that Jiang Shang was that mysterious fortune - teller had spread through Yuncheng like wildfire, but no one had dared to ask about it since she entered the door.
A look of confusion flashed across Jiang Shang's face. Gu Siheng showed her the video of her answering Lin Jingru's call during the live - broadcast, and Jiang Shang suddenly understood.
She hadn't deliberately hidden this extra - curricular job outside the live - broadcast, so she didn't think it was a big deal.
"Not bad. Just normal operation."
Jiang Shang gave a soft hum. She felt that dealing with Qu Yan this time hadn't consumed as much of her spiritual power as the last time when dealing with the life - swapping gu.
Jiang Shang's understated "normal operation" made half of the people present break down silently.
The younger generation of the Gu family didn't expect to have underestimated her. And Gu Siheng, who had won Jiang Shang, inevitably incurred their jealousy and suspicion.
Jiang Jiaojiao was so angry that her teeth were about to ache. She couldn't figure out how this timid girl had suddenly become so capable after being cheated on by Pei Shangze!
Jiang's mother frowned tightly and patted Jiang Jiaojiao's hand to comfort her.
Gu Ningxi pursed her lips tightly, but showed no emotion on her face. Rarely, she didn't try to curry favor with Jiang Shang like others did after hearing this news.
At the dinner table.
Jiang's mother enthusiastically picked up a piece of cod for Jiang Shang, but Jiang Shang reflexively moved her plate away.
Then the head of the Gu family also picked up a piece, trying to ease the situation from last time. "Shangshang, treat this as your own home. Don't be so restrained."
Jiang Jiaojiao seized the opportunity to speak, looking more like a member of the Gu family than Jiang Shang. "Sister, you're the daughter - in - law of the Gu family. It's only natural that the Gu family treats you well."
"Um... I'm allergic to cod."
Jiang Shang's mouth twitched violently. She mercilessly picked out the cod that Jiang's mother had put in her plate. Her words made the three of them fall silent.
Gu Siheng thoughtfully changed her plate and silently motioned for the servant to move the plate of cod to the other side.
Jiang's mother's face was full of embarrassment. She made a lot of small movements and quickly changed the topic.
"Siheng's father saw our Shangshang for the first time. I wonder what his impression of our Shangshang is?"
Suddenly called upon, Gu Yin looked up at this daughter - in - law who had suddenly appeared. The scrutiny and assessment in his eyes didn't diminish.
After a while, under everyone's expectant gazes, Gu Yin's words were like a bucket of cold water.
"Jiang Shang and Siheng's marriage is my father's decision. I have no objections."
Neither objecting nor supporting.
From the moment he saw Jiang Shang, he hadn't shown any affection, but he couldn't say he disliked her either.
When others heard Gu Yin's words, they weren't surprised. It was well - known that Gu Siheng had a distant relationship with his parents. Gu Yin wouldn't love Jiang Shang just because of his son.
But the hearts of the Jiang mother and daughter sank. If Jiang Shang wasn't favored by Gu Siheng's parents, how could they carry out their plan?
The head of the Gu family coldly watched them scheming, not caring whether his son liked this daughter - in - law or not.
In a big family, sometimes interests were more important than family affection.
"After Shangshang's engagement banquet, I'm going to the mountains to pray to the Buddha for half a month."
The head of the Gu family announced calmly. Then he looked at Gu Siheng and Jiang Shang. "After the engagement, you two young people can arrange your wedding and honeymoon by yourselves. Find a good day to get the marriage certificate."
Jiang Shang nodded obediently, but in her heart, she was speculating about the head of the Gu family's implication.
It seemed that the matter had been dragging on for too long. The head of the Gu family was afraid of something going wrong and was starting to urge them to get married.
After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms. Gu Yin sat on the sofa in the hall, watching Gu Siheng and Jiang Shang walk into their room side by side with a solemn expression.
"Jiang Shang is now highly regarded by the head of the family and is our daughter - in - law. Why don't you try to win her over?" Mrs. Gu gave him some advice.
"Isn't the old man going to the mountains to pray to the Buddha in half a month?" Gu Yin answered irrelevantly and suddenly changed the topic.
"Why should only the younger generation be able to compete for the position of the heir of the Gu family? The old man isn't dead, and I'm still breathing well. What reason do I have not to compete?"
Since Gu Siheng was out of the picture, it just meant he had lost a potential heir candidate. He wouldn't just hand over the huge Gu family fortune to his good younger brother, Gu Lin.
Mrs. Gu was about to say something else when Gu Yin pointed at her forehead with a terribly sinister tone. "If it weren't for you, things wouldn't have turned out like this."
There was a look of panic on Gao Miaoyi's dignified and gentle face. She reflexively shrank her arms.
No one knew what had happened on the night when it was revealed that Gu Siheng wasn't of the Gu family's blood.
Gao Miaoyi was eager to make up for her mistake and timidly said, "Jiang Shang is so liked by the old master now. Maybe because of her, Siheng can regain the old master's favor."
Hearing this, Gu Yin sneered. He knew his father best.
Gu Yin's words woke her from her daydream. "In my father's eyes, even his sons don't mean much. Do you think he'll keep a Jiang Shang after the great crisis of the Gu family is resolved?"