Wen Yulan watched with the air of someone enjoying a good show. With so many relatives present today, she wasn't worried about not finding anyone to help her. She had maintained good relations with these Zhan family relatives. The sudden appearance of an unrelated woman in the Zhan family was bound to draw their collective ire.
Seated next to Wen Yulan was Zhan Mohan's second aunt, Cheng Meiya. Cheng Meiya's son had narrowly missed out on joining the Zhan Group but had caused trouble, accepting project kickbacks, and was permanently blacklisted by Old Master Zhan. He now had to work in a small company. Cheng Meiya harbored resentment, and Old Master Zhan's reluctance to see her was largely due to her son's past transgression. Seizing the opportunity of Wen Yulan's birthday, she had insisted on a grand celebration, hoping it would be a chance to see Old Master Zhan again.
Zhan Mohan's father had passed away, and Old Master Zhan rarely involved himself in the day-to-day affairs of the Zhan family anymore. With Zhan Mohan managing the company, Wen Yulan had gotten along well with him over the years, seeming to care for him more than her own son. Cheng Meiya thought that if she could win over Wen Yulan, she might be able to put in a good word for her son with Zhan Mohan.
Cheng Meiya deliberately turned her head and asked Wen Yulan, "Sister-in-law, who is this..."
"This is A'han's newly married wife, Wei Yumeng, daughter of the Wei family."
Wen Yulan then quickly said to Wei Yumeng, "Yumeng, this is A'han's second aunt."
Wei Yumeng politely greeted Cheng Meiya. "Greetings, Second Aunt."
Cheng Meiya had heard of the Wei family; in Pengcheng, they were considered a minor family. However, the young woman's demeanor was acceptable, not as vulgar as she had imagined. Visually, she and Zhan Mohan made a handsome couple, but since Wen Yulan disliked the girl, Cheng Meiya couldn't appear too friendly. She smiled perfunctorily. "I heard you were the one who caused A'han to be paralyzed and harmed Lin'er, is that right?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Yumeng knew that this second aunt was not someone to be trifled with. She wasn't unaccustomed to the gossip and sarcastic remarks of distant relatives. However, she wondered if she could retort. She instinctively looked at Zhan Mohan and asked quietly, "Second Aunt, are you close with him?"
"We're okay. She's quite close to Mother. She's usually gossipy, and Grandpa blocked her son from entering the company."
Wei Yumeng understood the implication. So, she could retort? She had married into the Zhan family to atone for Wei Jin's sins, but she recognized Zhan Mohan and Old Master Zhan. She didn't feel obliged to show respect to Wen Yulan, whom she considered a venomous shrew.
The onlookers saw Wei Yumeng whispering with Zhan Mohan. To outsiders, it might seem as though they were a loving couple. Cheng Meiya, seeing that Wei Yumeng was not answering her and was instead talking to Zhan Mohan, banged the table in anger.
"I didn't realize the new daughter-in-law of the Zhan family was so arrogant, ignoring what an elder says."
Wen Yulan said sternly to Wei Yumeng, "Yumeng, your second aunt is speaking to you, didn't you hear?"
"I heard. I just don't know how to answer Second Aunt. This matter is rather complicated, and it's not something that can be explained in a few words."
Cheng Meiya sneered. "So, you're refusing to tell me, or you're too ashamed to speak? Both of our Zhan family children were harmed because of you. Not only do you fail to show respect to your elders, but you even dare to ignore their words. If this gets out, you'll ruin our Zhan family's reputation!"
"I am not ruining the Zhan family's reputation. Zhan Mohan's legs have nothing to do with me. However, this is an internal family matter. Even if I told you, Second Aunt, you probably wouldn't believe me." She thought it best not to get herself into trouble by providing further complications. Not answering was the best answer.
Cheng Meiya smiled sinisterly, but her well-maintained face was filled with rage. She turned to Wen Yulan and said, "This is the wife you had A'han marry? She's sharp-tongued and disrespectful to elders. I think... if she's not disciplined properly, she'll turn the household upside down!"
Wen Yulan feigned distress, lowering her head with a frown. "Children these days are difficult to manage. And A'han is so protective of her. Even if I wanted to discipline her, I lack the means and opportunity."
Cheng Meiya seemed to hear a joke. "She caused him to be like this, and he still protects her!" Was he out of his mind?
Zhan Mohan wasn't surprised by Wen Yulan's words. She was a troublemaker, always inciting others when she didn't want to get her hands dirty. She was quite skilled at using others as her weapon. Compared to Wei Yumeng, he disliked this instigator, Wen Yulan, and the troublemaker, Cheng Meiya, even more. For now, he decided not to interfere. Wei Yumeng was usually quite quick-witted, so he'd leave it to her. "If Second Aunt has any questions or anything to teach Wei Yumeng, feel free to speak."
Wei Yumeng stared at him, her eyes wide. What did he mean by this? He was pushing her into the fire. He had just said this second aunt was gossipy, implying she wasn't important. Now, not only was he not helping her, but he was also leaving her to face these two formidable women alone.
Hearing this, Cheng Meiya felt somewhat pleased. "Since Mohan says so, I must teach you some manners today."
"Meiya, that's enough. This is a Zhan family matter. If anyone is to discipline Wei Yumeng, it should be Wen Yulan. You should focus on your own son." Old Master Zhan finally spoke.
Cheng Meiya looked at Old Master Zhan resentfully. "Old Master, Wei Yumeng is so arrogant and overbearing. If she's not taught a lesson, she'll eventually step all over you..."
"Nonsense! I, your grandfather, have managed the Zhan family for so many years. Do you think a young girl can cause chaos? Today is Wen Yulan's birthday, and there are many guests. Let's not create a scene." Old Master Zhan simply didn't want to ruin the banquet. He was well aware of Cheng Meiya's usual behavior; she caused a stir wherever she went, as if she wouldn't be content unless she meddled in other people's affairs. The Zhan family's internal affairs did not require an outsider to manage, especially since Cheng Meiya wasn't genuinely concerned for the Zhan family's well-being; she merely wanted to stir up trouble. He wasn't blind to this, otherwise, his decades of life would have been in vain.
Cheng Meiya was quite intimidated by Old Master Zhan. Having managed the Zhan family for so many years, his authority was undeniable. His few words could easily suppress her. She consciously fell silent.
During dinner, Wei Yumeng sat next to Zhan Mohan. She felt somewhat reserved, with so many Zhan family relatives present. It was difficult to act as she normally would, picking whatever she wanted to eat. She wished she could finish eating quickly and leave the table. She had a premonition that Cheng Meiya would find trouble for her again.
As expected, the next moment, Cheng Meiya said to Wei Yumeng, "Yumeng, did your family never teach you not to make noise while eating? With your behavior, you don't look like a young mistress of the Zhan family at all. If you accompany Mohan to social events in the future, how will people view him?"
Wei Yumeng was confused. She was just eating; where was the lack of upbringing? Zhan Mohan beside her remained silent, seemingly indifferent. Fine. If he wanted to remain uninvolved, she wouldn't make it easy for him. She smiled slightly. "Second Aunt, please don't worry. I know my humble status and am not fit to accompany Mr. Zhan to social events. Therefore, he can bring Miss Feng along." If she didn't accompany Zhan Mohan to social events, no one could comment on her upbringing, right? Besides, when it came to upbringing, Cheng Meiya wasn't exactly exemplary. Did truly well-bred people constantly stir up trouble and gossip about others? What was the difference between her and a country bumpkin?
Cheng Meiya had not expected Wei Yumeng to be so magnanimous, allowing another woman to accompany Zhan Mohan to social events. Wasn't she afraid of misunderstandings? Wen Yulan, on the other hand, was delighted that Wei Yumeng showed such magnanimity. She patted Feng Shimin's hand. "Shimin, did you hear that? Since Yumeng said so, you can accompany A'han to any social events in the future."
Feng Shimin happily agreed. "Yes."
Zhan Mohan turned his head and reached underneath the table, fiercely pinching Wei Yumeng's leg. The pain made her almost cry out. She stared at Zhan Mohan in alarm, gritting her teeth. "Mr. Zhan, did I say something wrong?"