CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 117: Counterattack, Fearless

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Counterattack, Fearless

Everyone was looking at Qiao Rui, eager to see her reaction to this face-off; each one of them anticipated the outcome.

Pei Liyan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the woman standing in front of the table, her face adorned with a faint smile, so fearless, so composed.

She really dared to confront Elder Madam Pei.

This very defiance lent her a quiet grace, a fearless elegance, making her stunningly beautiful.

Nearly everyone could sense the resolute righteousness between her brows.

Then, everyone heard her calm voice speak, "I thought the tradition of the Pei Family was for the brother-in-law to dance with the elder sister-in-law, and for the sister-in-law to dance with the younger brother-in-law!"

Her words struck to the heart, causing immediate shifts in expression.

And she, her face remained placid, as if she were merely stating a fact.

Elder Madam Pei’s face darkened instantly, and with a smack, she hit the table.

She was angry.

It was clear that Qiao Rui still looked at Elder Madam Pei, eye to eye, unflinching.

Elder Madam Pei sneered coldly, staring at Qiao Rui with such a sinister look, "Qiao Rui, you’re very clever, but be careful not to outsmart yourself."

"Thank you for the reminder, Grandmother," Qiao Rui replied with a light smile. "I’ve always been aware that all schemes are in vain in the end."

She was being ironic, saying that despite all her scheming, it would all come to nothing in the end.

Elder Madam Pei’s eyes clouded over with dark clouds in an instant, her gaze sweeping toward Pei Liyan.

He glanced at the elderly lady, his expression giving away little.

The old lady spoke sternly, "Jibai has been punished to kneel at the ancestral hall for not following rules, and his parents have gone to kneel too."

Qiao Rui’s heart skipped a beat; the old lady did this to make Pei Jibai and his parents also resent her.

Moreover, by punishing Pei Jibai, she aimed to make Qiao Rui feel guilty.

Indeed, she did not want to owe anyone.

The old lady’s move was indeed very clever.

Looking at the face in front of her, filled with malice, Qiao Rui knew that she had come into conflict with Elder Madam Pei today.

Qiao Rui spoke calmly, "Today is the Pei Family’s family banquet. With so many esteemed elders and dear relatives present, to go to such lengths to punish a cousin’s family, surely Grandmother has her profound reasons."

She actually didn’t ask why?

Elder Madam Pei frowned again, "This matter started because of you."

Qiao Rui expressed her alarm, "Qiao Rui is scared, as it is my first visit to the Pei Family and I’m not yet knowledgeable about the rules. Perhaps Grandmother could kindly teach me, so I can understand them better." Qiao Rui lowered her eyes, a coolness in their depths.

"Qiao Rui, drop your pretentiousness," Elder Madam Pei scolded coldly. "Since you are Liyan’s wife, you would do well to put away your pride."

The authority and disrespect in Elder Madam Pei’s eyes also stirred some displeasure in Qiao Rui’s heart.

She raised her eyes, looking at the old lady, and said fearlessly, "A person should not be arrogant, yet should not lack spine. There are rules for everything. If I am to submit without reason, then I’m sorry, I’d rather die than comply."

At this, the whole room once again fell silent.

Elder Madam Pei’s aged eyes narrowed, "Do you think I’m not qualified to criticize you?"

Criticize?

Qiao Rui gave a wry smile and said, "If you were to criticize me, it would be proper, but what wrong have I done?"

As she spoke, the room descended into silence once more.

Her words plainly suggested that Elder Madam Pei was making trouble out of nothing.

Suddenly, the atmosphere felt as though it had frozen over, and the old lady’s eyes burned with a dark fire.

No one spoke.

Even Pei Liyan stood there, his eyes revealing no emotion, as if Qiao Rui being questioned by the old lady was as it should be, and it was not his business.

Qiao Rui remained staring fearlessly at the old lady.

The old lady looked at her and suddenly sneered, "Are you holding a grudge over my arrangement of Qiao Xiang and Pei Liyan dancing together? I never expected you to be such a jealous woman."

"How can you speculate that I’m a jealous woman when you aren’t me?" Qiao Rui asked calmly in return.

"Not jealous, then you danced with Pei Jibai as a counter-attack?" Elder Madam Pei’s voice was heavy.

"Dancing with a cousin is being jealous?" Qiao Rui looked at Elder Madam Pei and laughed aloud, "Since you put it that way, insisting on discussing this matter, let’s make it clear."

Elder Madam Pei was taken aback. "You want to settle accounts with me?"

"It’s not like that," said Qiao Rui solemnly. "Today, our elders and siblings are present as witnesses, let’s just be frank with each other."

The crowd was again astounded, and nobody spoke.

However, standing in the center, Qiao Rui still wore a slight smile.

"Regarding today’s event, Elder Madam Pei arranged for my elder sister to dance with Pei Liyan, and using the pretext of tradition to stop gossip is one thing. I, Qiao Rui, am not interested in having to dance with Pei Liyan to prove anything.

I was invited to dance by my cousin, Mr. Pei Jibai, and we danced together in front of everyone. To be criticized by Elder Madam Pei in such a manner, I am truly alarmed! There really are double standards at play here."

"Qiao Rui!" Elder Madam Pei shouted sharply. "How dare you speak to me in this way?"

"No need for histrionics, Elder Madam Pei. We are just discussing facts, there’s no reason to be angry," she said with a serene smile. "If you’re upset by it, it’s because you have a small tolerance, but others don’t know that and might think I, Qiao Rui, am the cause of trouble. I cannot bear that responsibility."

"Ignorant!" Elder Madam Pei stood up abruptly. "Qiao Rui, are you pushing your luck?"

Qiao Rui simply smiled, with a serene tone, "Ah, we’ve said no anger, why do you look so bad, you’re turning beet red? If the anger really damages your health, it’s you who will suffer."

"Pei Liyan, this is the woman you’ve chosen!" Elder Madam Pei looked coldly at Pei Liyan.

Pei Liyan, calm, responded, "Grandmother, if Qiao Rui does not understand the rules, I will properly instruct her, please don’t be angry."

"Didn’t you hear how she’s twisting words and strong-arming her way?" Elder Madam Pei chastised.

Pei Liyan looked at the old lady, then at everyone else, who had turned their attention to him, and he spoke in an even tone, "She’s always spoken plainly like this, focusing on the matter rather than the person. Why should Grandmother bother herself with a junior?"

At that moment, everyone was in profound shock, everyone looked at Pei Liyan, hardly believing that he would openly clash with the old lady for Qiao Rui’s sake.

Even Elder Pei’s experienced eyes showed stun due to Pei Liyan’s stance.

Elder Madam Pei’s eyes were also swept with fury because of Pei Liyan’s words.

And Qiao Rui was a bit surprised, was he intending to stand up for her?

Wasn’t it too late?

She didn’t need it now.

Elder Madam Pei glared fiercely at Pei Liyan and said sternly, "If you expect me to accept her as my granddaughter-in-law, there’s no way."