ASTNovels Chapter 997 Tensions Rise
Chapter 997 Tensions Rise
Madam Xiao had always looked down on Xiao Min for marrying into Ningcheng and had never liked her, and by extension, she disliked Gao Xiao'e even more.
Xiao Min rarely returned to her parents' home in the capital to visit relatives, one of the main reasons being that she did not get along with this Mrs. Xiao.
After all, Madam Xiao was the matriarch of the Xiao family, and the relationship between the two sisters-in-law was already extremely poor.
If it weren't for this special day, the Xiao family would never have invited Xiao Min to the banquet.
Seeing Madam Xiao's unpleasant expression, Gao Xiao'e immediately flew into a rage and shouted, "What could have happened? Isn't it just that your Xiao family's watchdogs are looking down on us and refusing to let us in?!"
Do you really think we care about this, that we've come all the way from Ningcheng?
"If it weren't for my uncle's sake, we wouldn't have come even if you had carried us in a sedan chair!"
In Gao Xiao'e's memory, the only people in the Xiao family who can truly be considered relatives now are her uncle Xiao Wenbo and, to a lesser extent, Xiao Yuanqing.
Although most of the Xiao family members disliked Xiao Min, Xiao Wenbo was still her older brother. He would call his sister from time to time, and when Gao Xiao'e was a child, he even had someone send her a lot of toys that girls liked.
But they had no idea that the Xiao family was in a state of panic because of Xiao Wenbo.
It was truly a case of rubbing salt in the wound. Gao Xiao'e's words instantly darkened Madam Xiao's face, and she said coldly, "It seems that it was our Xiao family's fault? Shouldn't we have notified your Gao family? So, your Gao family never intended to associate with our Xiao family in the first place?"
"A watchdog? We, the Xiao family, are all upright people. What kind of dog would we need?"
These words instantly heightened the tension at the scene.
Xiao Min was so angry that tears welled up in her eyes again. She felt that she had come all this way only to humiliate herself.
Seeing that things were not going well, Xiao Yuanqing immediately shouted, "Aunt and cousin have come a long way and must be tired. Go and rest! Mom, stop talking!"
But before he could finish speaking, Gao Xiao'e jumped up and down, shouting, "Who cares if you notify us! We wouldn't have come if you hadn't insisted on inviting us!"
Do you think I really wanted to come?
You don't even know what kind of person your young lady is, what she's done. I'd rather she be my bad luck!
"Pah! Pah! Pah!"
Gao Xiao'e, who already had a fiery temper, was completely enraged by the repeated humiliations. She erupted like a volcano, cursing as she grabbed Xiao Min's hand and left.
Today was supposed to be a joyous day for the Xiao family, and everyone was hoping that the engagement banquet would go smoothly and be a great success.
The group was already in a bad mood because of Xiao Wenbo's matter, and now this commotion has only made them more irritable.
Especially for the entire Xiao family, young and old, their greatest wish at this moment is that their eldest daughter can successfully get engaged to the young master of the Ye family and finalize the marriage.
Everyone glared angrily at Gao Xiao'e. If she weren't a cousin, they probably would have already started cursing her.
"What did you say? How dare you insult Xiao Ran and spout such nonsense?!"
Madam Xiao was so angry that her fingers trembled.
"What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of person she is, what she has done, do you think you can hide it from everyone? Do you really think I wanted to come?"
If my mother hadn't begged me, even if you carried me in a sedan chair, I wouldn't have stepped inside!
"So what if it's the Xiao family? Does the Xiao family think they can ride roughshod over the Gao family and look down on us?"
Gao Xiao'e spoke rapidly, becoming more and more excited as she went on.
"How dare you insult Xiao Ran in public! I'm not finished with you today! Explain yourself clearly now, or I won't let you off the hook!"
Madam Xiao was struck where it hurt and was furious. She almost poked Gao Xiao'e in the face with her finger.
In the blink of an eye, the two were on the verge of exchanging blows.
Those around were stunned by what they saw; no one had expected things to escalate to this point.
"Shut up! All of you shut up!"
Xiao Yuanqing's face turned ashen. He glared fiercely at Madam Xiao and Gao Xiao'e, and shouted sternly, "Today is a joyous occasion, no one is allowed to cause trouble! Aunt, cousin, come with me!"
He was, after all, the head of the Xiao family, and naturally possessed an air of authority. Even though Madam Xiao's face turned bright red, she could only shut her mouth in anger.
Soon, several women from the Xiao family stepped forward and pulled Xiao Min and Gao Xiao'e towards the side room.
Upon seeing this, Gao Xiao'e jumped up and shouted, "You Xiao family members look down on our Gao family and bully us!"
Where's my uncle? Where is he? Why can't I see him?!
Uncle, your niece has been bullied, your sister has been looked down upon, where are you? Why won't you come out? Do you look down on us too?
At this moment, she was completely dependent on Xiao Wenbo. This shout made Xiao Min subconsciously look around. Yes, why haven't she seen her brother yet?
Regardless, blood is thicker than water for siblings, and the closest person to the Xiao family is still the older brother.
Even though her brother disapproved of her marrying far away and had many complaints about her, he was still her own brother.
"Miss, please stop calling. The old patriarch is not available to see anyone right now, so you won't be able to see him."
"Come with us quickly, have a good rest and calm down. The young lady's engagement ceremony is about to begin, and the motorcade is almost here!"
The woman holding the two women tried to persuade them repeatedly, but she also pushed and shoved them, forcibly dragging the mother and daughter towards a side room.
The Xiao family already disliked them, so these women naturally didn't treat them well either, and they were particularly ruthless.
After pulling the two into the room, he closed the door, offering words of comfort, but his tone was utterly cold.
Gao Xiao'e was both angry and furious. She was about to start cursing, but when she caught sight of her mother silently shedding tears, she suddenly stopped.
She turned to one of the women and said in a deep voice, "Tell me, where is my uncle? We've been here for so long, and I've been calling out so loudly, why haven't we seen him at all?"
At this moment, she finally calmed down.
They were the ones who ultimately suffered the consequences of making a scene, since this was the Xiao family's territory.
Right now, their only support is their uncle, Xiao Wenbo.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Min immediately pressed, "Where is my brother? Why won't he come to see me?"
“The old patriarch fell ill a few days ago and is not feeling well, so he naturally cannot come out to see you.”
A woman smirked and said with a cold laugh.
"Can't come out to see us? What do you mean by that?"
Xiao Min's heart skipped a beat, and tears welled up again. She thought Xiao Wenbo had contracted some incurable disease.
"Grandma, don't overthink it. The old master is just having some inconvenience; it's not a serious problem."
Let's not talk about him for now. You two calm down first, you have to go to the engagement banquet later.
"On such a joyous occasion, it's not appropriate to be crying and sobbing. You are, after all, someone who came from the Xiao family."
The woman was quite eloquent and managed to change the subject in just a few words.
"Shut up! Such a big matter, why won't you let us see our uncle? Has something happened to him, and you're hiding him?"
Gao Xiao'e's sharp shout made the man tremble instantly.
"What could possibly happen to the old patriarch? This is the Xiao family home!"
Miss, please don't make wild guesses.
The woman's eyes darted around as she spoke, and she stammered.
At this moment, Xiao Min and Gao Xiao'e immediately realized that something was wrong; there must be something hidden here!
Although Gao Xiao'e has a bad temper and a loud voice, she is not stupid.
She immediately waved her hand and said coldly, "Get out now, I don't want to see you!"
He then pushed and shoved all the women out of the room, slammed the door shut with a loud bang, and locked it.
"You silly child, why did you kick them all out? You still haven't found out where your uncle is?!"
Xiao Min was worried about her brother's safety and quickly pulled her daughter aside to ask.