Two days later, Old Master Jin's birthday banquet was held as scheduled.
In the evening, the entire backyard of the Jin family was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners to celebrate Old Master Jin's birthday. Many distinguished guests from the Southern Territory came to offer their congratulations.
Su Ding had also changed into an evening gown and walked out, holding Jin Ye's arm.
Beside them, two little flower girls followed, one on each side: Jin Xiaoxi and Tang Ran.
Seeing Ran Ran, Su Ding couldn't help but think of her own precious daughter, Su Xiaorui. This was the first time she had been separated from her daughter for such a long time.
Thinking of returning tomorrow, she couldn't help but feel a little excited.
"Xiaoye, come with me and greet some seniors," Jin Xiao found Jin Ye and came over with a wine glass.
"Alright," Jin Ye nodded, patted Su Ding's waist, and said, "Then I'll go over for a bit."
Su Ding nodded, found a seat for herself, and took care of the two little ones while they ate.
Suddenly, several elegantly dressed women approached her. The one in the lead glared at her with hatred, "Su Ding, you still have the nerve to eat!"
"Killing people and still showing your face here, you really are thick-skinned," a woman beside the first one sneered.
Su Ding was initially confused, but when she looked up and saw the woman in front of her, she recognized her as Tang Yiyi's mother.
Since being driven away last time, there had been no news from her.
She hadn't expected her to appear at the birthday banquet, but judging by her demeanor, she hadn't dared to make a scene, speaking in a hushed voice.
She curved her lips into a smile, "I truly didn't expect you to be invited by the Jin family. Do you want to go back? Then I'll find someone to escort you out."
"You, you, no need to escort me out!" The woman glared at her hatefully but didn't know what to say in rebuttal.
This was the Jin family's territory. The fact that she could come was also at the behest of Old Master Tang, who had asked her to apologize to Su Ding.
As for the death of her daughter Tang Yiyi, no one in the entire Tang family had sought justice for her. She was very unwilling but also powerless.
Seeing Su Ding, she naturally couldn't help but want to curse a few words.
"If you don't want to be kicked out, then be quiet. The things Tang Yiyi did were not announced throughout the entire Southern Territory, which is already giving you face," Su Ding said calmly.
The woman's expression faltered. She was so angry she couldn't speak but didn't dare to make further trouble.
She then set her gaze on Tang Ran and said fiercely in a low voice, "Tang Ran, this is the Jin family's birthday banquet. What are you still doing here! Come home with me immediately. If you dare to stay here any longer, I won't spare you!"
Little Tang Ran had not greeted her proactively after seeing her approach. She continued to eat with Xiaoxi.
When called upon now, she merely lifted her small face, her eyes fixed directly on the woman. Deep within her gaze, there was a chilling aura.
"I'm not going back."
Just three words, even with a childish tone, carried an imperious air.
Upon hearing this, the woman's face instantly flushed with anger. She stepped forward, intending to grab Tang Ran, "What did you say? You're not going back? What are you doing at the Jin family's place, you little brat! Don't you know this woman is the murderer who killed your sister! You ungrateful wretch, I raised you for nothing!"
"Don't touch me!" Tang Ran's face showed anger, and she pushed the woman away.
Bang!
Though small, her strength was considerable. A single push sent the woman staggering back several steps, knocking over a table with a loud crash.
This startled the guests at that table.
Intending to get angry, they recognized her as the daughter-in-law of the second branch of the Tang family. Feeling that they couldn't afford to offend the Tang family, they quietly moved to another table.
The woman, however, was trembling with rage. Several layers of powder fell from her face.
Her originally elegant and beautiful evening gown was stained, and she had fallen to the ground, becoming a spectacle. Enraged, she began to curse loudly, "You ungrateful brat, you dare to lay hands on an elder now!"