"I heard before that Master Shen Wu was already married, I thought it was a rumor? I didn't expect it to be true!"
"What family's young lady is that woman? She's been hidden too deeply!"
"It seems she's not a young lady from a prominent family, just a girl from an ordinary one."
"Sigh... then we are truly miserable. We tried our best to marry into the Shen family, but in the end, both sons of the Shen family married sparrows."
"Sparrows flying to the branches and turning into phoenixes is a beautiful story."
"Heh... a sparrow is just a sparrow, even if it flies to a branch, it won't become a phoenix. Look at Master Shen Wu's expression, he looks like he's being kidnapped and coerced. He must not like that woman."
"Hey, haven't you heard? It's said that the person Master Shen Wu likes is Miss Lin Qiutong, the eldest daughter of the Lin family. Miss Lin Qiutong should be here today to celebrate the Old Madam's birthday. There will be a good show then."
Ever since Song Qinian and Shen Chi Yan came downstairs, these discussions had not stopped.
Song Qinian had never been so nervous before, her palms were covered in a thin layer of sweat.
Especially being stared at by so many people, she felt extremely uncomfortable. She lost her footing for a moment and almost fell, but Shen Chi Yan's arm wrapped around her slender waist.
This action caused quite a stir.
Many people praised Shen Chi Yan.
The expressions of those present varied.
Some were a little disappointed because they didn't witness a dramatic confrontation.
Shen Ke Qin breathed a sigh of relief and asked Shen Liu Bai beside him, "Big Brother, how did you know Fifth Brother wouldn't abandon Sister-in-law?"
"A Yan is a man of the Shen family. He wouldn't disgrace the Shen family and Grandma's reputation."
Shen Ke Qin pouted, "Couldn't it be because he couldn't bear to leave Sister-in-law?"
Shen Liu Bai didn't say anything. Shen Ke Qin was quite annoyed, finding the Lin family people extremely displeasing to the eye.
Lin Qiutong's face was pale and ugly, yet she still had to maintain a composed and calm demeanor.
Lin Lan Xing, worried about Lin Qiutong, supported her, "Sister, are you alright?"
Lin Qiutong's eyes were fixed on Shen Chi Yan and Song Qinian. She shook her head slightly, "I'm fine."
Just then, the birthday banquet officially began.
The host of the banquet was a famous emcee from Jinghua City, who had excellent crowd control skills. After going through the schedule, it was time for the younger generation to offer birthday wishes and gifts.
As the eldest son of the Shen family, Shen Liu Bai presented the Old Madam with a high-tech massage chair.
Shen Chi Yan, knowing the Old Madam's fondness for tea, gifted her two aged Laotongxing tea cakes from 1921.
Laotongxing tea cakes contain various rich anti-cancer trace elements, can also strengthen teeth and protect them, as well as protect and nourish the stomach. Of course, the price is also quite high, over a million for one cake.
Others also presented their gifts one after another. When it was Song Qinian's turn, just as she was about to present her gift, Lin Qiutong was faster. She took out a painting.
"Old Madam, I heard A Yan mention that you love paintings very much. I specifically asked people to search for a long time and found an original painting by Mr. Xiang Di. I hope you like it."
Upon hearing the name Xiang Di, everyone exclaimed in surprise.
The main reason was that Mr. Xiang Di's paintings had become extremely rare and were incredibly expensive, with each piece costing over ten million. To acquire his paintings, one needed not only luck but also influence.
Lin Qiutong unfurled the painting. It was a peony painting symbolizing wealth and longevity. Peonies are not only the most affluent of flowers but also possess tenacious vitality.
Two lapwing birds, symbolizing longevity, flew through the flowers as if "seeking blessings."
Beside it, Mr. Xiang Di had personally inscribed "Riches and Auspiciousness." The continuous praise from the crowd made Lin Qiutong finally feel as though she had regained some ground.