The people present watched Lu Ming with their own thoughts, many of them shaking their heads.
While they didn't think highly of Lu Ming either, they could see at this moment that Old Madam Cao was deliberately picking a fight, shielding her good grandson, and shifting the blame to Lu Ming.
After all, didn't Lu Ming warn Cao Chunhui that the snow lotus couldn't be eaten from the start?
It was Cao Chunhui who listened to partial advice and didn't take Lu Ming's words seriously, which led to his poisoning.
This is called reaping what you sow.
How could Lu Ming be blamed?
Moreover, it was Lu Ming who painstakingly sought the treatment plan from China's divine doctor, which saved Cao Chunhui's life.
Despite such great kindness, Cao Chunhui turned a deaf ear.
With such an unreasonable matriarch in the Jiang family, could it prosper?
No wonder the Jiang family had been on a downward spiral since the death of Old Master Jiang. How could a family head who didn't understand right from wrong have a good outcome?
Many even felt sympathy for Lu Ming.
Faced with Cao Chunhui's harsh reprimand, Lu Ming had nothing to say.
As his fiancée, Jiang Mengxin had no intention of stepping forward to speak for Lu Ming; she was practically wishing to see him get lectured.
Just then, a woman's voice chimed in.
"Old Madam Cao, what you're saying is unfair."
Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice. It was none other than Lu Ming's 'good sister' – Yuan Keying.
She simply couldn't stand it any longer.
Yuan Keying walked over directly and said sarcastically, "Your good grandson bought that poison. Lu Ming didn't fail to warn you. You were the one who lacked discernment and couldn't tell good from bad, insisting on eating it. Now you're poisoned, aren't you?"
She paused and continued, "After you were poisoned, it was also Lu Ming who found the divine doctor from China to help you recover. Your good grandson did nothing but spout sarcastic remarks.
"Considering what I've said, Lu Ming's kindness to you is immense. It wouldn't be an exaggeration if you knelt down and kowtowed to thank him, yet you still have the nerve to blame him. Old Madam Cao, you really are old and muddled!"
Her speech thoroughly lambasted Cao Chunhui.
This was also the true sentiment of everyone present.
However, given Cao Chunhui's standing in society, most people wouldn't dare to speak so directly.
But Yuan Keying was different.
This girl had been doted on since childhood and dared to say anything and confront anyone. For her, there was only right and wrong, no status or position!
Cao Chunhui was so enraged by the scolding that her whole body trembled.
"You, you little brat..."
Cao Chunhui wished she could slap Yuan Keying.
Jiang Mengxin stepped forward and rebuked, "Yuan Keying, what's your attitude? As a junior, how can you speak to Grandma like that?"
Yuan Keying laughed, "She's your grandma, not mine. Even if she were my grandma, if she were so unreasonable and senile, I'd still scold her!"
It wasn't over yet.
Yuan Keying then pointed at Jiang Mengxin and said, "And you, Lu Ming is your fiancé. Did you say a single word to defend him when he was being scolded? Mengxin, do you truly look down on Lu Ming from the bottom of your heart? If you dislike him so much, why not just break off the engagement? If you don't want Lu Ming, I do!"
Whoosh—
Hearing such explosive remarks, the entire venue was shocked.
Who would have thought that Yuan Keying, who wasn't interested in men, would take a fancy to the spineless grave keeper?
At the same time, Jiang Lan, who was standing nearby, felt very nervous.
For Yuan Keying to stand up for Lu Ming at this moment was incredibly brave and righteous. If Lu Ming, in a moment of emotion and gratitude, decided to marry Yuan Keying, then...
Then Jiang Lan would have no chance to get close to Lu Ming!
Jiang Lan was anxious and helpless.
Everyone stared at each other, waiting to see Lu Ming's response.
Jiang Mengxin asked directly, "Lu Ming, did you and Yuan Keying plan this? You don't want to be with me anymore, do you? If you want a divorce, just say the word, and I'll satisfy you!"
Yuan Keying smiled, "You're just engaged, not married. Lu Ming can leave you anytime he wants, without needing a divorce, understand?"
Jiang Mengxin became even more infuriated as she listened, her face turning red.
All eyes were on Lu Ming, waiting to watch the show.
A moment later.
Lu Ming smiled gently and said, "Matters of marriage are not to be trifled with. I will not divorce."
Jiang Mengxin's expression improved slightly.
Yuan Keying, however, was very disappointed.
After a slight pause.
Lu Ming added, "My dear sister, thank you for speaking up for me so righteously, but I can't pledge myself to you because of this, haha, sorry."
Yuan Keying waved her hand, "It's okay, I can wait. Good brother, if you can't get along with Jiang Mengxin anymore, you're welcome to come find me anytime. I, Yuan Keying, want you!"
Pfft...
Coming from a woman's mouth, these words sounded quite strange.
Yuan Chengji could no longer listen.
He desperately wanted his daughter to give up her thoughts of Lu Ming, but not only had she not given up, her feelings had deepened?
"Sigh... what a karmic retribution," Yuan Chengji sighed and walked over to Cao Chunhui, saying, "Sister-in-law, I apologize. Because I had this child late in life, I spoiled this little girl terribly. If anything she said just now was wrong, I apologize to you."
With that, he bowed to Cao Chunhui.
"Sister-in-law, I have some personal matters to attend to, so I won't be staying here any longer. I'll take my leave."
Yuan Chengji directly grabbed Yuan Keying's arm and dragged her out.
Yuan Keying was still shouting at Lu Ming, "Good brother, if you're unhappy with your life, don't keep it to yourself. Remember to call me, I'll chat with you and cheer you up~~"
The crowd burst into laughter.
It had to be said that although Yuan Keying was unruly and domineering and lacked respect for elders, one could see the purest emotions in her.
She liked who she liked, and disliked who she disliked.
No pretense.
It was just that sometimes, it could be quite embarrassing.
Yuan Chengji's old face was almost unbearable to look at, and he desperately dragged Yuan Keying out of the hotel.
The farce concluded hastily.
Cao Chunhui did not continue to pursue Lu Ming's 'responsibility,' but her hatred for Lu Ming deepened.
The birthday banquet resumed.
Everything appeared to return to normal.
But in the shadows, Uncle Jiang Anzhi silently took out a cigarette and lit it.
He sneered twice and said, "Is the show over? No, no, no, the real show is just about to begin. Eat up, everyone, you'll all have a good show to watch later."
Outside the hotel.
Yuan Chengji and Yuan Keying left in a hurry.
On one hand, it was because Yuan Keying had caused too much of a scene, making it impossible to stay.
But more importantly, Yuan Chengji knew that Jiang Anzhi was about to make his move, and the birthday banquet site would be very dangerous, so they couldn't stay.
Two days ago, Yuan Chengji had given Jiang Anzhi a phone number and asked him to find a migrant worker.
At this moment, that migrant worker had arrived at the scene.
The tragedy of the Jiang family would continue.