The Zhi family of Jiangcheng was a proper top-tier aristocratic family.
If placed in ancient times, they would have been a powerful clan at the height of its prosperity. The prestige and wealth accumulated over a century were incomparable to families like the Ye family, who rose to prominence midway.
With deep-rooted foundations, the Zhi family controlled half of the economic lifelines of Jiangcheng and even the entire Eastern Province. It could be said that even the slightest stir within the Zhi family would cause a storm of blood and rain in the Eastern Province.
To be associated with the Zhi family was something countless distinguished families and elites eagerly sought.
For such a family to choose a daughter-in-law, even if they picked blindly, it would likely never be the Ye family’s turn.
But an exception emerged—Ye Fei.
In Ye Fei’s memory, her maternal grandfather, Luo Qishan, and Grandpa Zhi were once Buddhist friends who met while worshipping at a temple.
She had accompanied her grandfather once to Huading Temple on Jiangcheng’s North Mountain, where she met Grandpa Zhi.
When Ye Fei was young, her health was poor—she fell ill frequently, with minor ailments every few days and serious illnesses every other day. Luo Qishan took her up the mountain to stay for a while.
Apart from the elderly placing hope in the divine, the fresh air on North Mountain was also beneficial for recuperation.
Luo Qishan and Ye Qingcheng passed away in the same year, but the difference was that Luo Qishan died of illness, while Ye Qingcheng died unexpectedly.
However, no one expected that a casual remark made by Grandpa Zhi and Luo Qishan back then would be endlessly exaggerated by the Ye family today.
“Grandma, what are you trying to do?” Ye Yanqiu’s tone carried dissatisfaction as she spoke.
Gu Zhi carefully held a dress up against Ye Fei for comparison, completely ignoring her. “It looks truly beautiful.”
“Grandma,” Ye Yanqiu called out discontentedly.
Ye Yanxia glanced at her briefly before rising and heading toward the adjacent small parlor. Catching her gaze, Ye Yanqiu reluctantly followed.
“How lovely. Wear this one,” Gu Zhi said, spreading out the red dress in her hands.
Ye Fei glanced at it. Although she was in a wheelchair and what she wore wasn’t particularly noticeable, it still felt inappropriate for a guest to wear something so flashy at someone else’s evening banquet.
“I’d prefer something more understated. That one, please.”
She pointed to the lake-blue gown hanging on the rack. Since she had made a request, Gu Zhi naturally agreed.
“Although I’ve lived a reclusive life these years, I still remember what your grandfather mentioned back then. The Zhi family sent someone over just two days ago to inquire. It seems Grandpa Zhi truly likes you.”
Hearing Gu Zhi’s words, Ye Fei couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. That remark back then was merely something Grandpa Zhi had casually mentioned.
After her grandfather passed away from illness, she never visited Huading Temple again, and the marriage pact naturally became baseless talk.
For the Zhi family to send someone to the Ye family at this time—what exactly did it mean?
In the small parlor, Ye Yanxia sprinkled fish food into the tank, watching the koi fish dart and compete for food in the blue-and-white porcelain tank. Her ears were filled with Ye Yanqiu’s indignant voice.
“For this marriage pact, I endured so much hardship. I finally managed to establish myself in the entertainment industry and make the entire Jiangcheng aware of my existence. And now, Grandma is just going to hand this opportunity to her!”
Ye Yanqiu was utterly unconvinced. She knew Grandma was biased, but she never expected it to be to this extent.
“The Zhi family has never told anyone about marrying into the Ye family. You should also understand that, given the Ye family’s standing, we were never in a position to attach ourselves to the Zhi family. Grandpa Zhi believes in Buddhism and the cycle of karma. The Zhi family’s people haven’t only visited the Ye family.”
Ye Yanxia reminded her, as she often kept an eye on the movements of various families, she naturally knew that the Zhi family had sent people throughout Jiangcheng and even the entire Dongzhou.
They visited households with daughters.
For such families to form marriage alliances, thorough investigation was essential—it was no trivial matter.
“I don’t care, Grandma can’t be so biased!” Ye Yanqiu was particularly dissatisfied.
She knew why Grandma insisted on bringing Ye Fei to the event despite her being in a wheelchair—it was because Grandma believed Ye Fei could leverage her childhood encounter with Grandpa Zhi to secure a position.
“Nothing is settled yet, and no one knows how things will turn out in the end.” Ye Yanxia glanced at her. “Though only a few hours older, Ye Fei is much steadier than you.”
Hearing this, Ye Yanqiu’s expression grew even colder.
Everyone knew the Chi and Zhi families were closely connected, and Grandpa Zhi would undoubtedly attend tonight’s banquet.
Grandma was convinced the Zhi family wouldn’t choose her, so she wanted to bring Ye Fei to increase their chances.
“Elder sister, don’t blame me for not warning you. Even if you don’t intend to bind yourself to anyone through marriage, if Ye Fei really marries into the Zhi family and gains their support as a powerful backing, the Ye Corporation, which you’ve worked so diligently for all this time, will undergo a major upheaval.”
Ye Yanqiu’s words carried a hint of threat, but they were undeniably true.
Ye Yanxia remained unmoved, gently closing the lid of the fish food container. “I’ve held this position for so many years; I won’t fall from it so easily.”
She had joined the Ye Corporation after graduating from the top-ranked university in Dongzhou with a degree in economics at the age of twenty-one.
Now, seven years later, if she hadn’t grown at all during this time, she wouldn’t have risen to the position of CEO.
“Tonight’s banquet is attended by extraordinary people. I’m warning you one last time: no matter how much you and Ye Fei clash, in public, you are both members of the Ye family. Your fates are intertwined—glory and disgrace shared. You must not quarrel with her.”
Ye Yanqiu understood her sister’s meaning perfectly. After taking a deep breath, her expression turned calm.
“Don’t worry, I know what’s important.”
With the Zhi family present, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to implicate herself.
“As long as you understand.” Ye Yanxia glanced at her and walked away.
In just a short while, Ye Fei had already had her styling and makeup done by the stylist.
It was, of course, Ye Yanqiu’s exclusive styling team. This stylist was renowned, and without substantial financial backing, Ye Yanqiu wouldn’t have been able to hire him.
The stylist excelled at uncovering beauty, magnifying the strengths of each person’s facial features and achieving perfection—this was his specialty.
When Ye Yanxia saw the person seated in the wheelchair, she instantly understood why Old Mrs. Huo insisted on bringing Ye Fei.
Soft black hair was tied up in a bun at the back, revealing a swan-like, fair, and slender neck. Her delicate collarbones were elegantly accentuated.
Her petite face boasted exquisite features, with flawless makeup that highlighted every advantage to the fullest—truly maximizing all her strengths.
In all of Jiangcheng, there was no face more beautiful than hers.
She remembered that Ye Fei’s mother had been one of the most beautiful women in Jiangcheng. Now, it seemed Ye Fei had surpassed her mother in beauty.
Su Lan and her husband entered and immediately saw the person sitting in the wheelchair. For a moment, she thought she was seeing an old acquaintance again.
Looking at that face, made up to resemble Luo Can, her hand tightened slightly on her handbag…