Chapter 67: A Smile for a Daughter, A Sword for the Shameless

Chapter 67: A Smile for a Daughter, A Sword for the Shameless (Revised Scene)

The soft chime of porcelain echoed through the drawing room as the servers carefully replaced the teapots with fresh jujube-infused brews. A fragrant warmth filled the air, blending with the laughter from nearby guests and the gentle hum of celebration.

But all of that mellow warmth flickered for a moment.

"Miss Xu's family has arrived," a staff member quietly informed Jia Lan, who was walking toward the corridor with a tray of candied lotus seeds.

Jia Lan's brows lifted subtly. So they decided to show up after all.

Xu Li, seated gracefully on a plush daybed in the east salon, looked up when the quiet murmurs reached her. Jia Naun was curled contentedly in her arms, wrapped in a red cashmere shawl. Xu Li's confinement period had officially ended just yesterday, and Jia Lan had styled her with understated elegance—flushed cheeks, nourished skin, and a no-makeup look that radiated inner strength.

Xu Li adjusted baby Jia Naun's cap once again, brushing her fingers lightly over her daughter's soft cheek. The house had grown quiet for a moment—most of the guests were outside in the garden or dining hall, and only Jia Zhe remained in the sitting room with her, cradling their daughter in his arms. The warmth of the house stood in contrast to the sudden chill in her heart.

The door opened, and her parents entered first, polite smiles plastered on their faces, followed by her brother and sister-in-law. Her young nephew, without even greeting anyone, made a beeline for the table and immediately began snatching sweets off the serving tray with sticky fingers.

Xu Li stood up to greet them. "You're here," she said softly.

Her mother handed her a thin red envelope with a perfunctory nod. "Just something symbolic for the baby. We didn't know what else to bring."

Xu Li took the envelope with both hands, placing it carefully on the tea table. "Thank you. Please, sit."

Her sister-in-law, already settling into the velvet sofa with a dramatic sigh, glanced around the room—her eyes scanning the expensive furniture, the polished wooden floors, the silk curtains fluttering slightly in the breeze.

"Tsk, tsk," she muttered. "This place is like something out of a movie. I wonder how it must feel to marry into wealth. You're really enjoying your fortune, jiejie."

Xu Li's smile didn't reach her eyes. "We've built our life with sincerity and kindness. That's more valuable than money."

Her sister-in-law snorted. "Well, it's not like sincerity raises sons. A daughter, no matter how cute, still marries out one day. Just don't forget your nephews, eh? They'll carry the family name. It's not fair if all your attention goes to your own child now."

Xu Li blinked slowly. The words weren't new, but they still pricked like tiny needles. She opened her mouth to respond—but someone beat her to it.

Jia Zhe, still holding their daughter, looked up from his seat, his expression calm yet frigid.

"Madam," he said, tone flat, "I'm trying very hard to remain civil since you are my wife's relative. But if you insult my daughter again in this home, you will be escorted out."

His words were not loud, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop by several degrees.

The sister-in-law stared at him, mouth agape. "Excuse me? I was just stating facts. You don't have to get so worked up over a harmless comment."

Xu Li's father stepped forward, raising both hands. "Let's not fight. Everyone's tense these days. She didn't mean anything serious—just small talk, that's all."

Jia Zhe didn't look away from the sister-in-law. "Small talk doesn't demean children. Small talk doesn't imply that a girl is less than a boy. In this household, our daughter is the pride of our family. She is not 'just' a girl. She is Jia Naun. And anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't deserve to speak her name."

Xu Li's mother gave an uneasy laugh, clearly trying to sweep the moment under the rug. "Ah, Zhe ah, young people these days are too sensitive. You're right to love your daughter, but let's not quarrel on such a happy day."

Xu Li finally found her voice, tired and sharp. "This isn't the first time this has happened. When I was pregnant, not a single one of you came to visit. After birth, nothing. And now that you're here, you bring a single yuan in an envelope and mock my daughter to my face?"

Her brother, quiet until now, mumbled, "Jiejie, don't be dramatic. We all have our own families too."

Xu Li turned toward him. "Exactly. You all have sons. So you think you can look down on me and my daughter? Is that it?"

Silence.

Her nephew, now licking sugar from his fingers, asked loudly, "Can I take some of these buns home?"

"No manners," Jia Zhe muttered under his breath.

The sister-in-law's face flushed. "He's just a child!"

Xu Li smiled bitterly. "A child learns what they see. I wonder what else he's learned."

Her mother frowned. "Xu Li, you've changed. You're sharper now."

"I've grown," Xu Li replied, voice calm. "I live in a family where I am loved and respected. And I will protect my child the same way they protect me."

Her father finally sighed and sat down, wiping his brow. "Let's not ruin things. We're here now. That should mean something."

"It would," Jia Zhe said coldly, "if you had come with sincerity instead of envy."

The sister-in-law stood up abruptly. "We'll leave soon. Clearly, we're not welcome."

"No one said that," Xu Li said, standing tall. "But you're right—you're not welcome if all you bring is resentment."

Xu Li walked over to Jia Zhe and gently took baby Naun from his arms. The infant yawned sleepily, unaware of the storm in the room.

"I think it's time for her nap."

As Xu Li turned and walked toward the nursery, the quiet weight of her dignity followed her. Jia Zhe stood, silent, then went to close the door behind her—leaving the rest of her family to sit in uneasy silence.