Chapter 550: 549 Gaining Absolute Trust (First Update)

Banquet hall.

Everyone heard Leng Wanqing announce very solemnly, “the marriage of Qin Jingxiang and Jun Mingyu.”

It was clear that Qin Wenguo did not know about it beforehand, and he was stunned for several seconds.

Naturally, Qin Jingxiang also didn’t know that attending this banquet in her full dress held such a hidden meaning. She hadn’t even thought that the official family would directly arrange a marriage for her.

At that moment, Song Zhizhi felt a bit ironic.

Leng Wanqing promised to teach Qin Wenguo a lesson, and this lesson turned out to be rather cunning.

Now, in the entire Yanshang Country, let alone outsiders, those within who knew anything at all were clear. Jun Minghan and Jun Mingyu were adversaries. Once Jun Minghan ascended, Jun Mingyu would absolutely be removed from the stage of history, and the outcome would not be favorable. If this were to happen, and Qin Wenguo’s daughter, Qin Jingxiang, was given to Jun Mingyu, then at that time Leng Wanqing could conveniently assign collective responsibility, completely dismantle Qin Wenguo’s family’s power and take back the Commercial Management organization. Everything would fall into place.

Leng Wanqing truly earned people’s respect. After she said her piece, everyone understood her ambition, but common people would never think to act this way.

At this moment, Qin Wenguo was clearly embarrassed.

Being publicly proposed to and in front of so many people, he didn’t dare to defy Leng Wanqing’s intention.

To put it bluntly, Leng Wanqing managed to propose publicly to avoid any rejection from him. Qin Wenguo was, after all, just an interim manager at Commercial Management, and ultimately held no authority.

Right then, Qin Jingxiang’s complexion clearly changed.

Handing her over to Jun Mingyu was blatantly setting her up against Jun Minghan’s team, a plot orchestrated by the officials to bury Qin Jingxiang. Moreover, in this lifetime, she would marry no one but Ji Baijian; there was no way she would accept this marriage.

Just before her father could open his mouth.

Qin Jingxiang directly stepped forward, “Madam Jun, hello, I am Qin Jingxiang.”

Leng Wanqing turned her head to glance at Qin Jingxiang.

There was no emotion in her eyes and she looked arrogant.

“Do you have something to say?” Leng Wanqing asked.

“I am grateful to Madam Jun’s care for me and also very touched by Madam Jun’s arrangement for Mr. Jun Mingyu to marry me. It is my great honor as a common girl to be able to marry a young master from the official family. However, unfortunately, I have already pledged my life to another person, and I’m afraid I can not accept your kindness.” Qin Jingxiang rejected her.

She rejected her publicly.

In reality, Qin Jingxiang was smart. There was no way she could reject the proposal later if she didn’t reject it now.

Though it was a bit of an insult to Leng Wanqing’s dignity, it was better than being trapped in the end.

Leng Wanqing was not an easy adversary. She had been prepared for everything since she dared to announce the marriage in public. As she looked at Qin Jingxiang, she smiled. A smile that sent chills down one’s spine.

Qin Jingxiang also realized this woman was formidable. Her subsequent laughter and the look in her eyes gave her the creeps.

She maintained her composure.

Leng Wanqing said, “Miss Qin Jingxiang, you’re not afraid of pledging yourself to someone else. You’re afraid of me, an old woman, being your matchmaker.”

“Madam Jun, why would you say that?” At this point, Qin Jingxiang could only tread carefully.

“I, Leng Wanqing, never undertake anything without assurance. Since I decided on your marriage to Jun Mingyu, naturally I’ve verified that both of you are single. I never engage in baseless matchmaking! Since Miss Qin Jingxiang chose to reject me in this manner, I have to clarify certain things to prove my innocence.”

Qin Jingxiang felt a surge of panic in her heart.

Leng Wanqing spoke in a measured tone that carried a sense of absolute authority, “Miss Qin Jingxiang has been a highly intelligent person since her childhood, barely recognizing anyone as her equal. She was seldom interested in any boy. But, she fell for Ji Baijian.”

The color drained from Qin Jingxiang’s face.

At that moment, Song Zhizhi fixed her gaze directly on Leng Wanqing.

This old woman, Leng Wanqing, really did seem to know everything.

“Unfortunately, Ji Baijian married Song Zhizhi, and Miss Qin Jingxiang has remained single since then,” Leng Wanqing continued, her eyes flitting to a new target, “I fear you all might accuse me of falsely blaming Qin Jingxiang. Therefore, I’ve specially invited Miss Song Zhizhi to join this dinner. Miss Song, why don’t you tell everyone whether it is true that Qin Jingxiang is still obsessed with Ji Baijian.”

All eyes were now focused on Song Zhizhi.

So that was why she was asked to attend tonight… it was for this reason!

Leng Wanqing, it was really hard to deal with this woman.

She smiled subtly, “There was a time when Ji Baijian and Qin Jingxiang were classmates overseas. It is true that Qin Jingxiang pursued Ji Baijian, and not just Ji Baijian, Yin Qin, who was Ji Baijian’s childhood friend also knew about it. Ji Baijian rejected Qin Jingxiang, causing her deep sorrow which led her to leave her alma mater to study abroad until the year Ji Baijian and I got married. After she returned, as you are all probably aware, Miss Qin Jingxiang has consistently targeted me in an attempt to break up Ji Baijian’s and my relationship.”

Qin Jingxiang shot Song Zhizhi a furious look.

Song Zhizhi acted as if she didn’t notice.

The sweet girl-next-door image of Qin Jingxiang would be shattered by such revelations.

Perhaps in the past, when Song Zhizhi said these words in public, Qin Jingxiang could have refuted the charges and played the victim, gaining sympathy from the public by accusing Song Zhizhi of deliberately bullying her. However, what made the situation different this time was the fact that Song Zhizhi had the support of Leng Wanqing, which left no one daring to say a word.

At that moment, Qin Jingxiang was left speechless.

It was because she was uncertain about what proof Leng Wanqing had in her hands. She was worried that the more fiercely she refuted, the more severe the backlash would be.

She even started to wonder whether this was a plot by Song Zhizhi.

But how did Song Zhizhi manage to get the powerful Leng Wanqing to back her up?!

If she had guessed correctly, Ji Baijian was on the side of Jun Mingyu’s team, while Song Zhizhi was now aligning herself with Jun Minghan?!

Many thoughts raced through Qin Jingxiang’s mind, leaving her feeling somewhat confused at that moment.

“Therefore, why should Miss Qin Jingxiang keep suffering from unrequited love? Rather, it would be better to let go of this love that doesn’t belong to her and start a new relationship. I personally think that my family’s children are not at all inferior to others. What do you think, Mr. Qin?” Leng Wanqing smoothly shifted the pressure onto Qin Wenguo.

At that moment, Qin Wenguo seemed somewhat at a loss.

But it was clear that he had no choice but to accept.

If Leng Wanqing could arrange things to such a point yet he still refused, it would be nothing short of losing face.

Swallowing his pride, he said, “I am indeed very pleased with this marriage proposal. My daughter is indeed a person with deep-seated feelings. If she refused, it would be for fear of hurting Mr. Mingyu Jun. But, as Mr. Jun precisely stated, my daughter has been in love for many years, and now that Ji Baijian is married to Song Zhizhi, she shouldn’t obsess over this relationship any more. I completely agree with the proposal of marrying my daughter to Mr. Jun.”

Qin Jingxiang turned to look at Qin Wenguo, visibly upset.

Qin Wenguo shot her a warning look, gesturing for her to keep quiet.

Qin Jingxiang hesitated, and chose to remain silent.

“As the proverb says: ‘Marriage, the matchmaker’s word’, since we have the consent of both parents, let it be… So I can satisfactorily report back to the Dean,” said Leng Wanqing with a smile. No matter her demeanor, she always seemed daunting. She added, “The Dean has not been feeling well recently and has delegated to me the task of matchmaking at this banquet.”

In an instant, everyone was inquiring with concern about the Dean’s health.

Leng Wanqing quickly dismissed a few questions.

Just a few words, but it was enough to declare to the world that the Dean’s health was deteriorating.

The implicit meaning: a dangerous incident could occur at any time.

Song Zhizhi admired Leng Wanqing.

How many years of cultivation does it take to reach Leng Wanqing’s level!

Leng Wanqing didn’t stay long at the banquet,

Withdrawing after only a short while.

Once she had left, the atmosphere at the banquet eased somewhat.

At that moment, Song Zhizhi couldn’t help but look towards Jun Mingyu.

From beginning to end, this man remained unusually calm, as if the conversation wasn’t about his own wedding.

Jun Mingyu seemed to feel Song Zhizhi’s gaze,

And glanced at her before heading directly towards Qin Jingxiang.

Facing Jun Mingyu, Qin Jingxiang left the banquet hall with him.

At this moment, Song Zhizhi also wanted to leave the banquet hall. As she was about to leave, a staff member approached her, “Miss Song, Lady Jun is asking for you.”

Song Zhizhi frowned slightly,

“Follow me.”

Reluctantly, Song Zhizhi followed the staff member.

Through the banquet hall, along a long corridor, around several bends, she finally saw a tightly closed door.

The staff member knocked.

As the door opened, Song Zhizhi stepped in,

Only Leng Wanqing was present in the room.

Jun Minghan was still in the banquet hall entertaining guests.

Leng Wanqing watched Song Zhizhi enter and uttered in a detached tone, “Sit.”

Song Zhizhi sat down not far from Leng Wanqing.

“Are you satisfied with tonight’s arrangements?” Leng Wanqing asked.

“I must admit I can’t understand your plans, my lady. Even though you betrothed Qin Jingxiang to Jun Mingyu, it’s clear to anyone that you’re drawing a line between yourself and Qin Wenguo. Wenguo is well aware of this too. So have you considered that once Wenguo understands, he will naturally align himself with Jun Mingyu, thereby increasing Jun Mingyu’s influence?”

“You’re not unintelligent to come to this conclusion. It’s not simple or easy to see beyond the immediate benefits,” Leng Wanqing replied unhurriedly, after sipping her tea, “My intention for Wenguo and Mingyu to build a good relationship is to set up Wenguo.”

“You mean you intend to use Wenguo to deal with Mingyu?”

Leng Wanqing nodded, “I hold Wenguo’s shameful secrets. When the time is right, I’ll reveal the evidence and bring him to justice. Jun Mingyu will inevitably share the responsibility, allowing me to strike him down convincingly.”

Song Zhizhi was taken aback.

She had thought that Leng Wanqing planned to use Jun Mingyu to undermine Wenguo, but she never expected that Leng Wanqing’s target had always been Wenguo.

Leng Wanqing was indifferent to Song Zhizhi’s surprise, “No one in this world can ever guess my plans,” she said, “The reason I have not acted against Wenguo is that I am waiting for a better phase. And me revealing this to you is to make it clear that I regard you as one of us.”

“I appreciate your recognition, my lady,” Song Zhizhi replied humbly.

“I don’t want to hear any empty pleasantries. You’re a discerning person; you know what to do.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and one more thing,” Leng Wanqing called to her.

Song Zhizhi paused.

“Sooner or later, Jun Minghan will be yours. I suggest you be patient,” Leng Wanqing said as she studied her attire.

So she had quickly perceived her intentions.

Song Zhizhi lightly smiled,

“I will obey your orders, my lady,” she replied.

“You may go.”

Song Zhizhi bowed, then slowly departed.

After leaving, her smile faded.

Indeed, she had dressed provocatively that night on purpose, with the aim of letting both Leng Wanqing and Jun Minghan understand her intentions. This way, she could gain their trust more readily.

She walked alone down the long corridor.

She paused.

She ran into Jun Mingyu and Qin Jingxiang.

Upon seeing Song Zhizhi, Qin Jingxiang turned and walked away without a word.

Song Zhizhi watched her leave, then turned her gaze towards Jun Mingyu,

With a smile, she said, “Seems like your interaction isn’t very pleasant.”

Jun Mingyu shrugged his shoulders.

As Song Zhizhi walked past him, she lowered her voice and said, “She’s planning to target Wenguo first.”

Jun Mingyu chuckled,

And watched Song Zhizhi’s retreating figure.

To think the two of them are so clever…

Otherwise, with Leng Wanqing’s cunning schemes, even the Dean was outplayed by her, let alone these naïve, unseasoned lackeys.