Reborn Heiress: Seeking Revenge

Chapter 361: The Shangguan Family’s Internal Conflict (1)_1

The thought alone made the three men of the Shangguan Family feel a shiver of fear, and things weren’t much better for the family itself. They had the appearance of glory, but they didn’t want to get the Lin Family involved if anything were to happen."Girl, remember, you are a member of our Shangguan Family, Dad’s only daughter. All we want is for you to study happily and live your life happily. We’ll take care of everything else. Neither the Shangguan Family nor the Lin Family want you to be in any danger, so, Girl, for our peace of mind, be careful with whatever you do."

Shangguan Hao patted Shangguan You’s hair lightly and spoke slowly. Each word seemed to be for Shangguan You, yet she could hear an undercurrent of worry and immense pressure.

"Yes, your uncle also hopes that you can live safely. No matter what happens, we all want you to be well. We don’t want you to take any risks. Try to avoid contact with the Lin Family as much as possible. After all, they have deep connections with the mafia, and we are a clean family. Once involved, hundreds of explanations wouldn’t be able to clear our name." Shangguan Yu’s sharp gaze swept over Shangguan Qing before he continued in a grave tone, "No matter the past or the future, we want nothing to do with the Lin Family."

"Girl, you are the hope of our entire family, and also our princess, so you..." Liu Ruoling was about to say something else, but she stopped when she saw Old Madam Shangguan stepping in with a smile. The words the others had been about to say also died on their lips.

"I know, Grandpa, Daddy, Uncle, Aunt. I can protect myself. You don’t need to worry about me," Shangguan You said, nodding her head. She stopped herself from saying more.

With my current strength, I fear no one except those from the Hidden World Families. But my fearlessness doesn’t mean my family can afford to be the same, so I have to remain low-profile. I had thought of letting my family take the Marrow Cleansing Pill, but seeing these unwelcome visitors at the door, it’s best to wait until they’ve left.

"You girl, and Qing lad, you’re back! Did you have fun? Look who’s back," Old Madam Shangguan said with a smile, her eyes nearly squinting into slits.

Shangguan You and Shangguan Qing exchanged glances. It wasn’t just them; even the Shangguan men’s faces changed upon seeing the newcomers at the door.

It looks like trouble is brewing again. Alas, wishing for a few peaceful days seems impossible.

"Grandpa, Daddy, Uncle, Aunt, Brother Qing, Sister," Shangguan Rou sweetly called out to them.

"Rou girl, come, come sit over here beside Grandma," Old Madam Shangguan beckoned Shangguan Rou to sit beside her.

"Yes, Grandma," Shangguan Rou replied with a smile, obeying and sitting down beside Old Madam Shangguan, affectionately holding her hand, her eyes filled with an innocent smile.

"Everyone, please take a seat. Zhang Ma, bring the tea," Old Madam Shangguan said, her eyes beaming with joy as she invited Li Meisu and Li Ruizhe to sit down.

"Uncle, Grandpa," Li Meisu and Li Ruizhe, the siblings, greeted them politely.

"Hmph." Shangguan Hao nodded coldly, paying little heed to the three from the Li Family. A weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken—no good intentions. Especially since these are the Li family’s younger generation; their intentions are even more suspect.

"Old Man, can you believe it? Rou girl came to our door with the Li siblings, only to be stopped by the guards and refused entry! If I hadn’t been going out just then, I might never have known that our own family members could be barred from entering our home! You need to talk to those guards. No matter what, Rou girl is one of us; there’s no reason to keep her out at the gate!" Old Madam Shangguan began, her voice laced with indignation.

"Our Shangguan Family has only one granddaughter, and that’s You. We can’t afford to associate with others. Besides, the Shangguan family line is passed down to a single heir each generation; we dare not recklessly acknowledge other granddaughters!" Shangguan Zhi snorted heavily and spoke coldly. He watched Shangguan Rou lower her head modestly, her shoulders trembling, and his irritation surged. Another ungrateful opportunist. After saying his piece, Shangguan Zhi sat as still as a mountain, remaining silent no matter what anyone else said.

"Old Man, you’re wrong! Rou is Haohao’s daughter! Even if you dote on You, you can’t just refuse to acknowledge Rou! Even if you’re biased, you can’t be *this* biased!" she argued.

"Shangguan Hao, you clarify right now! Do you acknowledge your daughter today or not?" Old Madam Shangguan, upon seeing Shangguan Zhi’s stern face, turned her sharp gaze to Shangguan Hao and demanded an answer. She wouldn’t believe she couldn’t make her own son yield.

"Mother, my daughter, I will certainly acknowledge. Your granddaughter and grandson are both right here. As for other families’ grandchildren, they have no relation to us," Shangguan Hao said in a slightly indifferent tone.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Other families’ grandchildren have nothing to do with me! You girl and Qing lad are certainly ours, but so is Rou girl!" Old Madam Shangguan insisted, patting Shangguan Rou’s hand while raising her voice sharply.

"Mother, Second Brother knows his own affairs and how to handle them. You should just enjoy your retirement and meddle less in other things. Besides, discussing this in front of outsiders—what kind of display is this?" Shangguan Yu frowned. If not for his years as an official, he might have jumped up and started cursing. This matter was clearly already settled, so why does she always insist on helping that mother-daughter pair? I’m starting to seriously wonder what goes on in her mind. My brother and I are both intelligent; how could we have such a muddle-headed mother?

"Shangguan Yu! Shangguan Hao! I raised you with so much difficulty, and now that your wings have hardened, you talk back to me like this? Do I have no right to speak at all? Do I not even have the right to ask my granddaughter to accompany me?" Old Madam Shangguan wiped away tears as she began to scold.

"Mother, he didn’t mean it that way. Don’t take it to heart. He’s not good with words; don’t hold it against him," Liu Ruoling quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over.

"Hmph! Don’t you try to be the good one! Don’t think I don’t know! It’s because of you that Haohao resents Wanying and, by extension, dislikes Rou! If you hadn’t been badmouthing that despicable woman from the Lin Family day in and day out, how could Haohao still be hung up on that wretched woman after all these years? If it weren’t for you, Haohao wouldn’t have treated Wanying like that, even kicking them out of the house! This is all your venomous scheming!"