Chapter 533: Chapter 533: The Cao Family Causes Trouble

At this moment, an unpleasant voice came to his ears: "On such a joyous day, why is my sister Yumei nowhere to be seen?"

Everyone turned their heads to look at the man speaking; he was none other than Cao Yumei’s elder brother, Cao Ruibin.

The Cao Family is considered a wealthy family in Zhonghai, albeit one that rose to prominence midway and lacks the deep heritage of the Kong Family. It was also only after Cao Yumei married into the Kong Family that the Cao Family’s status in Zhonghai gradually rose.

"Yumei is ill. I asked her to rest in her room."

Kong Jingshan replied indifferently, already showing signs of displeasure on his face.

"Ill? How is that possible? I spoke to Yumei on the phone just yesterday, and she was perfectly fine!"

Cao Ruibin suddenly stood up, his face full of anger.

"Kong Jingshan, my sister has sacrificed so much for you, for this family. She’s been preparing for Elder Kong’s birthday banquet all these days, but as soon as your daughter returns, you lock my sister up. What is the meaning of this?"

As soon as he said this, all the guests widened their eyes, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

"Indeed! Your Kong Family is really bullying people. Our Cao Family might not be as distinguished as the Kong Family, but it’s not right to torment Yumei like this!"

Cao Ruibin’s wife pretended to wipe her tears, immediately drawing a group of wealthy women to console her.

The Cao Family’s business is growing rapidly, attracting many people seeking to curry favor.

"Dad! I beg you, let mom out. You can’t torture mom just for sister’s sake!" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Kong Lingchuan also stood up and knelt before Kong Jingshan with a thud.

Several people who were on good terms with the Cao Family began to speak out in persuasion.

"Jing Shan, you may care for your daughter, but Yumei hasn’t done anything wrong."

"The matters of the past weren’t her fault either. On such a joyous day, let her come out to entertain the guests!"

As everyone spoke, they began to criticize Kong Lingwen.

"The young lady looks rather pretty, but her heart is truly cruel to treat her stepmother like this."

"Yumei always treated her like her own daughter. As expected, being a stepmother is difficult; no matter how much you give, there will be no gratitude."

"I heard that she’s quite successful outside, could it be because of that face of hers?"

Kong Lingwen’s expression remained composed; despite hearing everyone’s remarks, she was not angry and instead chuckled lightly. "Since everyone is so concerned about Aunt Cao, let’s have her come out to entertain the guests."

"Lin Wen!"

Kong Jingshan furrowed his brows, wanting to stop her.

Elder Kong immediately interrupted him, instructing the butler: "Wen Xu, go and bring Cao Yumei out."

"Yes!"

Wen Xu promptly led a few servants towards the backyard.

Soon, Cao Yumei’s cries were heard from there: "Ah! Black and White Impermanence, don’t take me away, I don’t want to go to the Underworld!"

Two servants walked on either side, holding Cao Yumei as they came, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Cao Yumei’s hair was disheveled, wearing a white dress, her face pale as she struggled desperately against the floor, looking completely miserable.

"Let her go!"

Elder Kong waved his hand, and the servants immediately let go. Cao Yumei fell to the ground.

"As you can see, it isn’t that I won’t let Aunt Cao entertain guests, but her condition is genuinely not good."

Kong Lingwen slowly said as she stepped forward to help Cao Yumei up.

Who would have thought that seeing Kong Lingwen, Cao Yumei would be so frightened she sat on the ground, screaming: "Xu Wan! I was wrong, I shouldn’t have harmed you. Please don’t kill me; I beg for your mercy!"

Everyone was left speechless. Even those who were unaware of the situation now understood Cao Yumei had done something guilty.

Some who had previous dealings with Xu Wan, upon hearing Cao Yumei’s words, were even more furious, starting to curse.

"This heartless woman, I always wondered how Xu Wan suddenly suffered from dystocia and passed away."

"Being a mistress, yet daring to threaten the rightful wife, the Cao Family raised such a shameless daughter, they’re not a decent family either!"

Cao Ruibin initially came after receiving a message from his nephew to back up his sister but had no idea things would turn out this way.

"Aunt Cao, please stand up, otherwise everyone will think I’m bullying you."

Kong Lingwen crouched down, grasped Cao Yumei’s hand, but she was frantic and bit down on Kong Lingwen’s hand.

Yang Cheng stepped forward quickly, pushed Cao Yumei away, and saw a blood mark on Kong Lingwen’s fair hand.

"I’m fine. I just wanted everyone to see her bite me so that no one would say I’m bullying my stepmother."

Kong Lingwen lowered her voice and smiled at Yang Cheng.

"Take this crazy woman away; don’t let her disgrace us here!"

Elder Kong felt for his granddaughter and immediately waved his hand, and the servants restrained Cao Yumei.

Unexpectedly, Cao Yumei struggled and actually lost control in public; her white dress was stained with urine quite visibly, and everyone around turned up their noses disdainfully.

To the side, Kong Lingchuan’s face turned extremely grim. His mother losing control publicly meant he had no face left.

"No wonder the Kong Family won’t let Cao Yumei out to entertain guests. This is truly disgraceful."

"But Cao Yumei seemed fine earlier, how did she suddenly become a lunatic?"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt curious.

Cao Ruibin’s face turned extremely ugly, a flash of insight crossed his mind, and he sharply pointed at Yang Cheng: "This kid is a doctor, surely he gave my sister some kind of drug. Otherwise, why was she perfectly fine before, and as soon as they returned, my sister became a lunatic?"

Yang Cheng’s lips curled into a cold smile; this man is clever, but having no evidence, it’s purely slander.

Moreover, he could sense that Kong Jingshan was siding with Kong Lingwen, likely out of guilt, but nonetheless, it’s a good thing.

"Uncle Cao, if you say that, you’re not welcome in our house, and you can leave."

Kong Lingwen spoke coldly, her eyes even more fierce.

"I’m your elder, and you dare to drive me away?"

Cao Ruibin glared, actually raising his hand to hit Kong Lingwen.

Before Kong Lingwen could speak, Elder Kong stood up with a serious face and said: "Lingwen cannot drive you away, but I can. From now on, the Cao Family is not allowed to step into the Kong Family’s door. If you’re really concerned about Cao Yumei, take her home!"

"You... The Kong Family truly bullies people too much!"

Cao Ruibin’s face turned red with anger, no longer had the face to stay, and pulled his wife to leave.

"Uncle! Are you really leaving like this? What about Mom and me?"

Kong Lingchuan hurriedly stepped forward to stop him but was thrown away by Cao Ruibin.

"I can’t manage the Kong Family’s matters; solve them yourself!"

Cao Ruibin left a sentence behind and angrily stormed off.

A perfectly good birthday banquet was ruined by this uproar, leaving everyone uninterested, and they left early after the meal.

Once everyone had left, Kong Jingshan called Kong Lingwen and Yang Cheng to the study.