13 – The Bold and Open Defense of Ning Dai
That evening, Ning Dai still did not appear. Tang Qianluo was driven directly to the venue by the chauffeur.
The moment her delicate feet touched the ground and she stepped into the event, Tang Qianluo was destined to be the center of attention that night.
A sleek black mermaid-style V-neck evening gown hugged her curvaceous figure, with a high slit running up her right thigh—alluring and enchanting without being vulgar. The bodice was embroidered with golden threads, radiating an imposing aura.
“Is that the Tang family’s second daughter? How come I never noticed how stunning she was before? It’s true what they say—clothes make the woman!”
“Look at her smug attitude. Just because she married into the Ning Family? The Ning Family hasn’t even acknowledged her as Madam Ning yet.”
A few female guests snickered among themselves, as if their gossip could somehow diminish Tang Qianluo.
Tang Qianluo paid them no mind. She scanned the room but, before she could spot Ning Dai, a couple of nuisances blocked her path.
“Tang Qianluo, it’s been so long. Aren’t you going to say hello?”
The woman wore a white gown studded with tiny diamonds, her arm linked with a man in a black suit. She lifted her chin arrogantly as she spoke.
Su Miaomiao and Li Ang—the former was Tang Wan Ning’s longtime best friend, while the latter was a lecherous fool who only cared about looks.
Tang Qianluo felt that even exchanging a single word with these two would shorten her lifespan. She turned her head away and asked, “Are we familiar?”
Li Ang had long known that Tang Qianluo was beautiful—why else would he have tried so hard to win her favor before? Now, seeing her so dazzlingly dressed, outshining everyone else, he couldn’t help but swallow hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Qianluo, that outfit really suits you today.”
Tang Qianluo ignored him and continued scanning the room.
Seeing the man she cherished staring so transfixed at another woman—and being ignored on top of that—Su Miaomiao clenched her fists, glaring venomously at Tang Qianluo.
“Tang Qianluo, after all this time, you’re still so ill-mannered? Can’t you hear someone talking to you?”
Tang Qianluo turned and fixed a cold gaze on Su Miaomiao, a faint smile curling her lips. “My apologies, I really didn’t hear anyone speaking.”
She emphasized the word “anyone,” which only infuriated Su Miaomiao further.
“Then again, how can we expect manners from you? If you had any, Aunt Wan wouldn’t have locked you in that dark room for three days and nights, nearly starving you to death. No wonder Aunt Wan never liked you since you were little. From head to toe, not even a single strand of your hair compares to Wan Ning’s—and you’re always trying to seduce men.”
Memories rushed back to when she was ten—Tang Wan Ning and Tang Qianluo fighting over a toy, only for the latter to be whipped until covered in wounds and locked in the basement, nearly losing her life.
Wan Qing had been so furious only because Tang Wan Ning had accidentally gotten a scratch on her forehead during the struggle.
That toy had been hers. She had hit her head too. But just because Tang Wan Ning knew how to cry better, she was the one who ended up beaten, injured, and nearly dead!
Tang Qianluo’s eyes grew colder. Staring at the self-righteous Su Miaomiao, her last shred of patience vanished.
“Su Miaomiao, can you still see clearly?”
Su Miaomiao was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, are you blind? If not, can’t you see that it’s the man beside you who keeps staring at me?”
“You—””Don’t worry though, I’m not interested in him. If you like him, keep him for yourself. And Li Ang, please control your girlfriend—don’t let her bite people the moment she appears!”
Tang Qianluo’s outfit today already exuded powerful presence, and after her words, she appeared even more imposing.
As she turned to leave, her right hand was abruptly yanked back by a forceful grip.
An unexpected slap came straight at her face. Even with Tang Qianluo’s quick reflexes, she couldn’t avoid having her cheek scratched by Su Miaomiao’s fingernails.
A searing pain shot through her cheek. Without hesitation, she immediately returned the slap.
The solid slap landed squarely on Su Miaomiao’s cheek, the crisp sound causing guests to stop and sneak glances.
Su Miaomiao stood frozen, clutching her cheek. After a moment, she sobbed and cried out,
“Tang Qianluo, why won’t you just give up on Brother Li Ang? You’re already married! Why can’t you leave us alone!”
Tang Qianluo genuinely wanted to ask: Why can’t you leave me alone? Why must you insist there’s something between me and your man?
Suddenly, a tall figure cast a shadow over Tang Qianluo from behind. Sensing the person’s presence, she turned with a smile and said, “Ning Dai.”
Ning Dai frowned slightly without speaking, raising his hand to gently touch the wound on Tang Qianluo’s face. Though not deep, the scratch was long—stretching from her temple to her cheek.
It stood out like ink stains defacing an exquisite scroll.
“Still smiling?” Ning Dai’s voice was cool and deep, vibrating pleasantly against Tang Qianluo’s eardrums.
“I fought back directly this time!” Tang Qianluo’s tone carried a hint of pride, making her truly resemble a victor.
“Hmm.” Ning Dai hummed softly, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
The amusement vanished in an instant. The next moment, he turned expressionlessly to Su Miaomiao, who stood pale-faced nearby, and asked sternly, “You did this?”
“President Ning, it was her fault! She seduced my boyfriend and insulted me—that’s why I hit her!” Su Miaomiao’s weeping grew increasingly pitiful.
“You’re saying my wife seduced him?”
Ning Dai asked quietly, glancing sideways at Li Ang. That single glance chilled Li Ang to the bone.
“Your name.”
Li Ang’s scalp prickled. Without thinking, he blurted out his name.
“Bet the entire reputation of the Li Family in Kyoto. If this woman’s words contain even a shred of falsehood, there will be no Li Family in Kyoto tomorrow. Do you dare?”
Ning Dai’s icy voice echoed through the silent banquet hall. Beads of sweat rolled down Li Ang’s forehead.
“Brother Li Ang, say something!” Su Miaomiao anxiously tugged Li Ang’s arm, hoping he would take her side.
Unable to withstand Ning Dai’s piercing gaze any longer, Li Ang broke down and shouted, “It was Su Miaomiao who provoked her! She threw the first punch! It was all her!”
Su Miaomiao stood as if petrified, unable to utter another word. Her trembling eyes radiated sheer despair.
“It seems my recent tolerance has made you think the Ning Family is easy to bully.”
Ning Dai scanned the surroundings with his peripheral vision. Those who had been speaking insolently moments earlier now lowered their heads, afraid to meet his gaze, terrified the flames might spread to them.
“The Ning Family won’t tolerate being bullied for nothing. Either the Su Family or the Li Family will disappear. Li Ang, you have three seconds to choose!”
“One.”Ning Dai’s thin lips parted slightly as Li Ang desperately knelt on the ground, attempting to grasp the hem of Ning Dai’s trousers, only to be disdainfully avoided.
“Two.”
Sweat mingled with tears as he watched Su Miaomiao weeping beside him, feeling as if his heart were being pierced. Yet compared to the Li Family, Su Miaomiao was utterly insignificant.
Before the word “three” could be uttered, Li Ang trembled and said, “The Su Family. I choose the Su Family.”
His voice was so faint it was nearly inaudible, but the agony in Su Miaomiao’s eyes spoke volumes.
“Li Ang, I’ve loved you since we were children. I’ve given so much for you—how could you bear to do this? How dare you?”
“But I never liked you! You were the one clinging to me all along.”
Their exchange resembled a farce. Ning Dai pulled Tang Qianluo—who had been thoroughly engrossed in the spectacle—aside and strode steadily toward the center of the banquet.
Tang Qianluo glanced back reluctantly at the melodramatic pair, thinking such an entertaining scene was far from enough!
“Let me introduce my wife, Tang Qianluo.”
The man’s cold voice snapped Tang Qianluo out of her fascination. She stared at him, her almond-shaped eyes wide with shock.
With those words, he declared to the entire capital that the Ning Family acknowledged Tang Qianluo as Lady Ning!
From that day forward, to offend Tang Qianluo was to make an enemy of the entire Ning Family.