23. Cresthaven City Simmons's Family

After achieving the remarkable feat of thoroughly infuriating the Old Master Leng, she was promptly chased out of the room. She didn't mind at all and shrugged, leading Jin Lan back to the second branch's courtyard. She couldn't understand why she had been summoned just to be belittled and Leng Mingshu was praised in front of that Xiao. What was the point?

"Did Old Master do anything to you?" Second Madam Leng, seeing her daughter return, immediately scrutinized her from head to toe.

Leng Sa spread her hands and chuckled. "No, did you expect him to chase me down with his cane?"

"Do you think he wouldn't?" Just a few years ago, Old Master Leng used to wield his cane and hit people from time to time. Every master in the Leng family had been struck by the cane at some point. However, in recent years, he had refrained from doing so due to his declining health.

Leng Sa laughed, "I'm not like my father; why would I stay still and let him hit me?"

"You…" The Second Madam Fu sighed helplessly. "It's not easy for your father…"

Leng Sa nodded. "I understand. Being beaten since childhood has left him with some psychological trauma." Whenever he saw Old Master Leng reach for his cane, his legs would go weak, and he wouldn't dare to run away.

The Second Madam Fu shook her head and changed the topic. "The Fu family sent an invitation. They said it's for the fifteenth birthday celebration of the Sixth Young Lady Fu, and they're hosting a ball. They've invited our whole family to attend. This… it's a ball, and your father and I haven't been to one before. If we embarrass you, it won't be good. Do you think we should tell the Fu family…"

Leng Sa held her mother's hand. "Don't worry too much. It's just a birthday party. If the Fu family invites you, and you're willing, then go. If you don't want to go, that's fine too. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. However, I think… it's best if Father goes." The Second Madam Fu said, "Your father hasn't…"

Leng Sa was a bit exasperated. "Mother, everyone has a first time. What's there to be embarrassed about? Even if there are mistakes, you can always try again next time. Besides, what could go wrong with a small ball? She is only fifteen, so logically she should be inviting people of her age. Since the Fu family sent an invitation to you, they must be planning a big event. When the time comes, you and Father can get to know more people and Lil' Feng will need friends and classmates in the future."

The Second Madam Fu, hearing her daughter's thoughtful considerations, nodded in agreement. She hesitated for a moment and said, "Then… shall we go together?"

Leng Sa smiled. "Let's go."

Second Madam Fu suddenly became anxious. "We… then we need to prepare clothes. You've seen and experienced a lot at school. Tell me what is suitable to wear. I'll go prepare now as there isn't much time left."

Leng Sa sighed softly. "Alright, I'll tell you later. Don't worry, if there's not enough time to make them, we can always buy them. Nowadays, there's nothing you can't find in Yong City."

The Second Madam Fu nodded. "That's true."

Leng Sa sat beside her mother, nibbling on the fruits her mother had pushed over, and frowned as she asked, "Why is the Xiao family here in Yong City at this time? Are they planning to discuss a marriage proposal with the Leng family?"

Second Madam Fu shook her head. "It's hard to say."

Leng Sa was puzzled. "Why is it so?"

Second Madam Fu looked at her daughter with some resignation and sighed. Her daughter had grown more headstrong over the past two years, and she was exceptionally smart, but she didn't pay much attention to these social matters.

"Your father said that when the Young Master Xiao came this time, aside from bearing a substantial gift to your grandfather, your fourth sister's gift is not much better than yours. It seemed like he just simply bought them together with no intention of putting in any effort."

Leng Sa and Leng Mingshu were both legitimate daughters and according to old customs, Leng Mingshu's gift should have been more significant than the Fifth Young Lady's. However, Leng Mingshu was Xiao Haoran's fiancée, so it was a bit inappropriate.

"Did Grandfather say anything?"

Second Madam Fu smiled bitterly. "What could he say? Now, it's the Leng family that needs the Xiao family. Although the royal family is not what it used to be, it's still not something the Leng family can compare to."

Leng Sa pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"If it's not about marriage, why did Xiao Haoran come to Yong City?" Leng Sa frowned in thought.

The Second Madam looked around to make sure no one else was listening, then lowered her voice and said, "The servants say that Young Master Xiao's people are inquiring about the Fu family."

"The Fu family?" Leng Sa narrowed her eyes and thought for a while before chuckling. "Grandfather is still hoping to gain favor from the Xiao family to lift Big Brother, right? If all his efforts turn out to be in vain, he might just spit blood in anger." After all, Leng Yan, the eldest son of the Leng family, was currently working in the capital. Wasn't he relying on the support of the Xiao family?

Communication had become much more convenient nowadays, and news from Yong City could reach the capital very quickly. Moreover, with the ease of transportation, Xiao Haoran could reach Yong City within two or three days.

However… why did the Xiao Family come to Yong City at this time?

"Yue'er?" Second Madam Fu looked at Leng Sa with some concern.

Leng Sa reassured her with a smile. "Don't worry, this matter doesn't concern us. However, if there's nothing else, Mother should mention it to Third Auntie — better to settle the marriage sooner rather than later. After all… a future Duke, it is not easy to find a husband like this." Second Madam Fu was taken aback. "Could there be any changes in the marriage?"

Leng Sa responded, "It's hard to say for now."

Second Madam Fu couldn't help but sigh. "Fourth Sister is usually quite proud, but she's a good child. Why are marriage matters for all of you sisters so troublesome?"

What she didn't say aloud was that if something went wrong with the Fourth Young Lady's marriage, given her temperament, she might not be able to handle it. "I'll talk to Third Auntie later."

Leng Sa said, "Mother, just give her a gentle reminder. After all, we are just speculating here. If you say too much, she might not appreciate it."

"I know what I'm doing. Don't worry."

Why would one of Xiao Haoran's people inquire about the Fu family? It couldn't be that they were bored and gossiping, right?

The Xiao family, and the Fu family… Leng Sa originally thought it was just about the changes in marriage between the Fu and Leng families. Now it seemed to affect quite a few people.

The next morning, Leng Sa, as usual, prepared to leave for school, completely disregarding what Old Master Leng had said the previous day.

Just as she reached the front gate, she saw Leng Mingshu with a maidservant standing by the entrance, talking to Xiao Haoran. Leng Mingshu lowered her head slightly, displaying a gentle and demure demeanor that Leng Sa had never seen in the past three years. On the other hand, Xiao Haoran, who was standing in front of her, wore a faint smile but seemed slightly impatient. Leng Jie couldn't help but make 'tsk tsk' silently in her heart.

Although Leng Mingshu was arrogant, she hadn't done anything to harm others. Leng Sa certainly wouldn't pick a fight with a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl just because she had a bad attitude. As for Xiao Haoran… he had caused her to be scolded by the old man yesterday shortly after his arrival, Leng Sa couldn't help but think he was a scumbag.

Trash!

"Third Young Lady." Upon seeing Leng Sa approaching with her school bag, Xiao Haoran gracefully nodded and greeted her.

"Third Sister." Leng Mingshu finally noticed Leng Sa and greeted her with a hint of shyness.

Leng Sa nodded faintly and was about to walk past them when Xiao Haoran said, "Third Young Lady, are you going to school? Why are you going alone?" Xiao Haoran's question was not a big deal. Because in traditional families like the Lengs, young ladies typically had a maidservant accompanying them.

However, Leng Sa, who currently had no patience for him, responded lightly, "I heard that Young Master Xiao graduated from the National University in the capital. Were you accustomed to having servants accompany you to school?"

"…" Xiao Haoran was at a loss for words. His expression was complicated.

Was this Third Young Lady Leng incapable of speaking politely?

For a moment, he felt like he understood why Fourth Young Master Fu acted the way he did.