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Join the ServerShi Kezhen walked into the banquet hall together with the members of the Shi family.
After greeting the hosts at the entrance, she followed Old Master Shi and Old Madam Shi to present gifts and offer birthday wishes to Old Master Zhang.
Since his retirement, Old Master Shi usually resided at the old Shi family estate with Old Madam Shi and rarely made appearances at general social events.
However, having been comrades-in-arms with Old Master Zhang in their youth, the two old friends shared a close bond, and he had come specifically tonight to celebrate his old friend’s birthday.
Once the birthday greetings were concluded, the two elders remained at Old Master Zhang’s table.
Father Shi took Shi Yanzhou along to seize the opportunity to meet with other elders at the banquet.
Shi Kezhen, meanwhile, stayed dutifully by Mother Shi’s side, never straying a step.
Soon enough, Mother Shi found her exclusive circle—a group of noblewomen of similar age gathered together to elegantly gossip about other families’ scandals.
Which man had been caught in bed by his wife…
Which daughter had taken up with a shady boyfriend abroad…
Shi Kezhen stood half a step behind Mother Shi with a smile on her face, quiet and devoid of any presence.
It was somewhat boring, but without Mother Shi’s word to release her, she did not dare to leave of her own accord.
“Hongying, this daughter of yours has grown more and more beautiful; she looks so obedient and sensible,” one of the women remarked.
“When do you plan to look for a talented young man for her?”
Among the noblewomen, someone had noticed the silent Shi Kezhen and teased Mother Shi about her.
Mother Shi chuckled.
“Kezhen is indeed quite obedient and sensible; she is very filial toward me.”
“I’m actually reluctant to let her marry; I only want to keep her by my side to keep me company.”
The noblewomen chimed in to laugh at her.
“Listen to you! When a daughter grows up, how could she not marry? You can’t keep her for more than a few years even if you want to.”
Shi Kezhen’s styling today made her look about twenty-five or twenty-six, not at all like a student still in school.
This inevitably sparked thoughts of marriage alliances in those who wished to forge connections with the Shi family.
Mother Shi covered her mouth and laughed, her tone gentle yet offering no openings.
“Haha, that’s true. Then I’ll try to keep her for as many years as I can; a daughter of the Shi family is in no hurry to marry.”
Not wanting them to dwell on Shi Kezhen any longer, Mother Shi turned her head and whispered to her.
“Stop following us elders around. Go over there, grab something to eat, and have fun with people your own age.”
“Alright.”
Shi Kezhen nodded obediently and turned to leave.
Having spent the entire evening maintaining a fake smile by Mother Shi’s side, her face felt nearly frozen; she finally had a moment of temporary liberation.
Walking to the refreshment area, she picked up an empty plate and chose a piece of aesthetically pleasing Chinese pastry, eating it in small, delicate bites.
Huatang Tower truly lived up to its reputation as the largest and most famous Chinese restaurant in Jingzhou; the pastries were exceptionally delicious.
After finishing one piece, Shi Kezhen picked up another peach-blossom-shaped pastry to try.
“She’s the Shi family’s adopted daughter—Young Master Shi’s sister.”
“Sister in name, yet she follows the Young Master around all day long. Even her university major is exactly the same as his. Tsk tsk… her intentions are as clear as day.”
“Look at that dowdy and hideous outfit of hers; no matter how tightly she clings, it’s useless. Young Master Shi would never spare her a glance.”
Shi Kezhen heard people discussing her; her movement of biting the pastry paused for a moment as she turned to look.
A few young ladies from prominent families, around the same age as her, stood not far away, pointing and whispering.
Since they moved in the same high-society circles, they all looked fairly familiar.
One of them, wearing a pink princess-style gown, seemed to be the youngest daughter of the Lin family.
In high school, she had written a love letter to Shi Yanzhou; unfortunately, he hadn’t even opened the envelope before throwing it directly into the trash.
Seeing Shi Kezhen look toward them, they showed no trace of the embarrassment typically found when caught gossiping by the person involved.
Instead, they looked at her even more brazenly, treating her as a laughingstock with mockery written all over their faces, intentionally trying to humiliate her.
Shi Kezhen’s gaze swept over each of their faces; then, she turned back around with indifference, continuing to enjoy the tasty snacks.
As for that group of uncouth people, they could say whatever they pleased; it wasn’t as if she would lose a pound of flesh because of it.
From childhood to adulthood, she had heard too many similar taunts; they long ago went in one ear and out the other, unable to wound her in the slightest.
Otherwise, what?
Go up and pick a fight with them?
Tell them that she was the Young Mistress of the Shi family who had held a ritual wedding and married Shi Yanzhou?
‘Heh, if I actually said it, would anyone in the Shi family step forward to acknowledge it?’
So, she should eat when she ought to eat and drink when she ought to drink; others could say what they wanted.
Listening to the idle gossip behind her, Shi Kezhen calmly ate her snacks, a faint trace of mockery surfacing in the depths of her eyes.
‘So what if you can’t stand the sight of me?’
‘I’m still living securely in the Shi household, coming and going every day with the Eldest Young Master.’
‘Not happy about it?’
‘If you’re so unhappy, come and deal with me then!’
‘A bunch of useless snacks who can only blabber behind someone’s back!’
“You really are thick-skinned.”
A piercing female voice suddenly rang out by Shi Kezhen’s ear.
Shi Kezhen turned around to see Li Yunshu and a girl with see-through bangs walking up to her, arm in arm.
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