A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

He was pondering over it when he heard Pei Ziheng instruct, “Don’t tell Xiao Ling.”

Xun An was shocked, but he nodded quickly. He realized that the man’s affection towards the girl was bone-deep. He had done so much for her but still hid it from her.

How blessed was that girl?

The evening wind of the midsummer was very cooling, and the lights in the elegant courtyard lit up.

The banquet host announced the annual “Midsummer Lady” talent show was starting. The first on stage was Pei Jingyu, who had won the title last year. Pei Jingyu wore a light white pearl silk dress and walked up elegantly. She looked around first before revealing a gentle and refined smile. She said, “I’m indebted to all your affection. I won the title last year, so I’ll be presenting a song for everyone. Please give me your valued opinions.”

She was very good at playing the piano and had won the title with her exceptional skill in playing it. This year, she still chose to perform the talent she was best at. The sweet-sounding piano sound was like moving clouds and flowing water. It tinkled in the ears of the guests and made them feel as though they were high in the clouds.

A lady turned and whispered to her son in a low voice, “This girl from the Pei family is not bad, she’s dignified and generous, beautiful and wise. Listen to the sound of her piano, it’s so calming and high-class. Listening to a piano is like looking at a person, this kind of girl is matriarch material.”

Her son smiled and nodded.

Many of the tycoons here were like the pair of mother and son. They were all silently observing the talents and natural dispositions of the girls and were combining this with their family background to calculate, estimate and choose the marriage partner that suited them best.

Once Pei Jingyu’s tune ended, the crowd erupted in a round of applause.

She swept the crowd with watery eyes and smiled. “Thank you.” Then, she got off the stage.

At the side of the Pei family’s seat, Pei Jingshan stood up and greeted her with praise. “Sister Jingyu, you’re so good. This year’s Midsummer Lady must be you again.”

Pei Jingyu smiled modestly. “I’m not sure. I’m the first to play and there’s still lots of talented and beautiful girls behind,” she said while glancing at Xia Ling.

Xia Ling was sitting next to Pei Ziheng at the Pei family’s seats.

There was no choice, all the banquet seats were based on family. Since Pei Ziheng and Pei Zhenyuan were from the same family, they were naturally arranged to sit together. If they were separated forcefully, then outsiders would think that there was some irreconcilable contradiction within the family. That would be an ugly sight.

At the moment, Xia Ling was feeling very uncomfortable under Pei Jingyu’s glare. She snorted gently and turned her head away.

Pei Zhenyuan frowned. This wild brat, it was already her privilege to be able to sit here. If not for the public banquet, he would have long driven this wild brat out. Why was she so courageous to even dare give a black face to a distinguished lady like Pei Jingyu?

Pei Jingshan could see that Great Uncle was unhappy, so she jumped forward, eager to perform. “What are you snorting at, are you dissatisfied with Sister Jingyu?”

Xia Ling said softly, “It’s my business, what’s it to you.” She was very stubborn.

Pei Jingyu smoothed things over in a gentle and dignified manner. “That’s enough, Jingshan. Xiao Ling has just come out of the orphanage and isn’t sensible, why are you being like that too? Don’t be so petty, prepare well for your performance and bring glory to the Pei family.”

Pei Jingshan said hurriedly, “Yes.” Although her father had a bit of status in the family, her backing was not as good as Pei Jingyu’s. Pei Jingyu’s Grandpa was the second-largest shareholder next to Pei Ziheng and also had high seniority. He could even claim equal grounds and rival against Pei Ziheng. However, what about Pei Jingshan herself? She was simply not enough in front of Pei Jingyu. All these years, she had fawned on Pei Jingyu to curry favor with her, which allowed her to gain her own standing.

Xia Ling stared at Pei Jingyu with a pair of beautiful eyes. Then, she looked at Pei Jingshan and snorted.

Although she was simple-minded, some things were still observed by her. Both girls were pointing at the mulberry tree and cursing the locust tree when they were simply scolding her and looking down on her! In all honesty, she had also listened to the piano song played by Pei Jingyu and had genuinely thought nothing was amazing about it. Even though she had never learned how to play the piano before, her music sense was astonishing, and intuitively, she found that although Pei Jingyu’s piano tune was beautiful, it held a strong sense of craftsmanship. In simpler words, she was simply striking the keys with no soul behind it.

This kind of piano sound might become first-class, but it would never be top-notch.

The child was unable to hide her thoughts and she couldn’t help but pull on Pei Ziheng’s sleeves.

Pei Ziheng lowered his head and asked in a gentle voice, “What’s wrong?”

Since there was no outsider here, Xia Ling was not afraid to throw the Pei family’s face, so she asked directly in a soft voice, “Why do they think that Sister Jingyu’s piano sounds good? Have they never heard real music before?”

Before Pei Ziheng could respond, Pei Jingyu was already so angry she almost smashed her glass cup. What did this little beggar mean?! How dare she tarnish her piano reputation in front of Grandpa and all her sisters!

“Nonsense!” This time, even Pei Zhenyuan couldn’t help but reprimand. “Ziheng, manage this little brat!” This little brat, what qualifications did she have to evaluate a distinguished lady the Pei family had spent lots of money to cultivate! This brat did not even have the least bit of respect!

Xia Ling was shocked by Zhenyuan’s words. She shrunk her body and did not dare to speak.

When she had been taken in by Pei Ziheng, she had heard him introduce this Grandpa who had been scowling fiercely. She knew that he was Pei Jingyu’s Grandpa, and he did not seem to like her… However, she had a natural love for music and could not hide any questions regarding it. At the moment, she had forgotten about how scary this Old Grandpa was. She directly asked the doubts in her heart.

Pei Ziheng stared at Pei Zhenyuan. “Great Uncle, don’t scare her.”

Pei Zhenyuan said, “Even if you want to defend the little brat, you must have a limit!”

Pei Ziheng’s expression turned gloomy. “Xiao Ling is not a little brat.”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. The two men, one young and one old, were confronting each other silently, and a dispute looked about to happen. Xia Ling’s heart jumped in her throat. She only realized that she seemed to have done something wrong? She became apprehensive and said in a small voice, “Brother Pei…”

Pei Ziheng removed his confronting stare from his Great Uncle and gently took her hand. “Let’s go, we’ll change seats.”

“Pei Ziheng!”

“Big Cousin!”

Pei Zhenyuan and the two young ladies whispered. They had underestimated Xia Ling’s importance to him. He was even going to change seats just because of a dispute with her! The seats here were all arranged according to family. If he were to change seats so suddenly, it was obviously telling others that the Pei family had internal disputes and no harmony. Besides losing face, there would probably be countless versions of rumors flying out. This might even cause the stock of the Pei family to fall the next day!