Chapter 165: The Strange Rule of Keeping Secrets
Shen Xiaoxiao did not know what Yan Kuan’s so-called good show was, but she had to admit that she was starting to get nervous. This was because Ouyang Tang had arrived, and the show would begin.
However, she had actually seen Pei Xi’s figure beside Ouyang Tang just now. On the other hand, Pei Li, who had always been doted on, was just waiting in the banquet hall. This was a little strange.
However, when she saw Pei Dongguo standing by Ouyang Tang’s side, chatting and laughing happily, Shen Xiaoxiao understood a little. It seemed that Pei Dongguo was going to make a move himself.
However, that was also true. Would the Pei family’s legitimate descendants push a vile sp.a.w.n to the top? Pei Dongguo, this old fox, would not agree.
She then looked carefully at Pei Li’s eyes. Look, the anger and disbelief in his eyes were about to be removed from his perfect disguise. It really made her feel relieved.
“Do you want to take a closer look? Look at this little neck. It’s about to break.”
Yan Kuan looked at her in amus.e.m.e.nt. However, Shen Xiaoxiao felt that it was better to just stand there and watch.
This was because according to the usual practice, the old master of Ouyang Hall would speak up and ask the younger generation to present gifts in front of everyone. Of course, this was referring to the younger generation of the Ouyang family.
As for why such an internal part of the family would be placed in the banquet hall, it was a little puzzling. This was different from the usual practice of the aristocratic families.
“Why do we have to present gifts in this hall?”
Yan Kuan smiled and leaned close to Shen Xiaoxiao’s ear:
“This is a rule that only the imperial family had in ancient times. If the Ouyang family is like this, why do you think they are doing it?”
“Ah?”
Shen Xiaoxiao was shocked. It can’t be. Was that really what they meant? Wasn’t this a little too unbelievable?
“Don’t be surprised, this is very normal. Asking the younger generation to present their gifts to the public is also to tell the public that the Ouyang family’s rare treasures are nothing more than an ordinary gift in their eyes. The Ouyang family doesn’t care about these things at all.”
“It is to show the Ouyang family’s strong foundation and also to highlight their mystery through this once-a-year banquet.”
“The Ouyang family played a good hand.”
“Isn’t this too much? Don’t those in China know? And I heard from Third Uncle that the Ouyang family started to take up official positions 20 years ago. Is it also to prepare for the Ouyang family to become the ruler of China?”
Shen Xiaoxiao recalled the topic she had discussed with Third Uncle earlier and hurriedly asked Yan Kuan.
“It’s one aspect, but there are other aspects as well. Alright, I’ll talk to you after we return with so many questions. Now, let’s go and see what gifts these Ouyang family juniors have given them. They have been planning for nearly 20 years. I don’t think Ouyang Tian and Ouyang Tang can afford to wait another 20 years. I’m afraid that it won’t be long before they attack.”
Shen Xiaoxiao had never expected that these things, which she had only seen in storybooks, would actually be seen in real life. Immediately, she didn’t know how to straighten out her thoughts.
It had completely overturned all her views of the Ouyang family. Although she had always known that behind her enemy stood a large family like the Ouyang family, which had deep roots, she had never thought that they would hide such thoughts in their minds. This made Shen Xiaoxiao feel extremely speechless.
She did not know whether she should think that the Ouyang family was daydreaming or that their thoughts were unrealistic.
The first to present the birthday gift was of course the eldest son of the next Ouyang Tian, Ouyang Jincheng. He presented a white jade Guanyin. It was half a foot tall and its entire body was white and smooth. It was the best of the Hetian Jade. Moreover, it was such a big one. When the gift was opened… Everyone was shocked.
Because Ouyang Jincheng’s back was facing Shen Xiaoxiao, she didn’t see what Ouyang Jincheng looked like. However, Shen Xiaoxiao saw Huo Wanting, the daughter-in-law of the Ouyang family clearly.
That woman was at least 50 years old, because Ouyang Jincheng was already 52 years old. However, Huo Wanting looked to be in her early 30s at most, and that was because the red cheongsam she wore today looked a little mature. Anyone who saw her face would never believe that she was 50 years old.
Huo Wanting was not the most beautiful type, but she had a temperament that made people forget about vulgarity. Her temperament was gentle and demure, but there was a hint of heroic spirit mixed in her eyes. It was only fleeting. Such a woman was suitable to be the grandmother of the Ouyang family.
However, Shen Xiaoxiao knew that Huo Wanting also had the Suoyin flower tattooed on her body, so there was a hint of scrutiny when she observed her.
“This Madam Ouyang looks young. She doesn’t look like a mother of four.”
Yan Kuan also knew about the Suoyin flowers, so when he heard what Shen Xiaoxiao said, he only took a glance before lowering his head and saying to Shen Xiaoxiao, “The Ouyang family has a secret rule. As long as the next matriarch of the Ouyang family is the matriarch, she must have the Suoyin flower tattooed.”
“What? This, there’s such a thing?”
Tonight’s news came one after another. She really didn’t expect that the Suoyin flower would become the standard of the Ouyang family’s lady in charge?
“Huang Yueyan said that Huo Wanting to take her to get a tattoo. Is that what she meant? What about Liu Yufei?”
“Liu Yufei is an exception. I don’t know why she would know about the Suoyin flower and get a tattoo of it. But if it was a man who got someone with a tattoo of a Suoyin flower when they are a virgin, this man would really extend his life. There are only benefits and no disadvantages.”
“As for other men, once they get close to the woman with the Suoyin flower for a long time, they will definitely die. Moreover, for a woman, maintaining her youthful appearance, other than liking men a little more, there is nothing wrong with it.”
“This is a little too strange.”
Yan Kuan smiled unwaveringly. Was it strange? There were a lot of strange things happening in the Ouyang family.
“The Suoyin flower is a secret item of the Ouyang family. Only the mistress of the family, who has taken a liking to them, would tattoo this flower on their body when their first period arrived. Although this flower brings many benefits, it is not a good thing for the woman who has the Suoyin flower on her body.”
“Just the strong desire that can appear at any time and place, how could the Ouyang family easily trap it in such a deep residence and large courtyard?”
“Therefore, to the mistress of the Ouyang family, this Suoyin flower is a blessing, a curse, and an extremely dirty thing.”
Shen Xiaoxiao didn’t speak for a long time. She really didn’t think that there were these things in here. As the mistress of the Ouyang family, one could imagine the consequences if she betrayed the family head. However, with such things on their bodies… How could the family head be satisfied?
“Don’t the men of the Ouyang family know? Aren’t they afraid that their women will cheat on them?”
“Hmph, afraid? Of course not. The Ouyang family has set up a secret room for each matriarch. As for how this secret room is used, little fellow, perhaps one day when they are publicly announced, you will be able to see it, and I guarantee that you will be shocked…”