Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife

Chapter 2596 - 709: You Deserve Someone Better to Love You

That evening, Old Arthur and his son warmly hosted An Yiqing and Zhang Yuksheng for a lavish dinner. The luxurious, classical tables and chairs, silver dishes and chopsticks, and the delicious dishes flowed like a stream. The servants of the Stausauser Family, dressed in splendid attire, enthusiastically served everyone.

"Everyone here is Xiao Qing’s capable subordinate, outstanding in their abilities. I’ve always wanted to find an opportunity for the elites in the family to interact and learn from each other." Lanni said with a smile, his eyes clear and bright under the light.

An Yiqing ate a piece of steak and said with a smile, "That’s a good idea. There’s no time like the present, Brother, you should arrange the time."

Old Arthur sat nearby, drinking red wine, and wore a proper smile. As the highest-ranking person in the Stausauser Family, it was natural that he couldn’t cater to everyone. An Yiqing had saved his life and was an old friend, thus he treated her warmly. However, Zhang Yuksheng and the others had no relation to him, so as a senior member of the Stausauser Family, he needed to present himself as a proper elder. But he also found Lanni’s idea of interaction agreeable, so he tacitly approved.

"Xiao Qing, the banquet will be held in two nights. There’s a day left, let Lanni take you around the manor. You should come often, otherwise, we, father and son, would feel lonely." Old Arthur said kindly.

An Yiqing nodded with a smile. Under the warm light, she looked especially clear in her white dress.

"Brother must be very busy these days, so I won’t trouble him. Father Arthur, find me someone reliable to guide me, I’ll just roam around by myself."

An Yiqing’s thoughtfulness warmed Old Arthur’s heart. He thought for a moment and said, "The butler is busy assisting Lanni with the banquet preparations and has no time. I’ll have his wife take you around; she’s a warm and hospitable woman, you’ll definitely like her."

An Yiqing was very satisfied with this arrangement. She nodded with a smile and suddenly raised her eyebrows and asked, "By the way, why don’t I see the others?" She remembered Lanni had an elder brother Danny and an elder sister Lina.

Old Arthur’s expression suddenly darkened, his mood somewhat low. Seeing this, An Yiqing frowned slightly. Could something have happened?

"Here’s the thing, this is the main residence of the Stausauser Family. Except for the Family Head, others can’t live here without the Family Head’s consent." Lanni glanced at his father, smiled, and said to An Yiqing, "So, brother and sister live in their own residences. Only father and I live in the main residence, but second sister will come to help tomorrow."

An Yiqing realized suddenly, that’s how it was. She glanced at Lanni, her eyes flickering, saying no more. Zhang Yuksheng and the others sensed the atmosphere was off, so they silently focused on eating.

The meal ended in silence. Old Arthur was a bit fatigued and returned to his room first. Zhang Yuksheng and the others also left, leaving only An Yiqing and Lanni in the dining room.

"Dear Xiao Qing, I’m sorry to have you experience such an unpleasant dinner." Lanni said apologetically.

An Yiqing shook her head and smiled lightly, "No need to apologize, Brother, I understand."

Lanni looked at her gratefully, opened his mouth, sighed, "Actually, a lot has happened in the family this year. Do you remember my elder brother Danny?"

An Yiqing certainly remembered. That year when Old Arthur was having surgery, she met his eldest son Danny and his second daughter Lina. Lina was a fiery-tempered woman, somewhat spoiled, but genuinely cared for her father. But Danny was different. During the entire surgery, he didn’t show any worry. He kept coldly staring at Lanni, his eyes full of indifference.

"Since father chose me as the Family Head, my elder brother has constantly been scheming behind the scenes. I fear father would be heartbroken, so I haven’t told him about these things. But paper can’t cover fire, Danny has gone too far, father eventually found out. He was furious, had Danny locked up, and threatened to remove him from the family. It was my second sister and I who begged tirelessly to spare my elder brother’s life. But since then, my brother has been under house arrest. Everywhere he goes, someone must follow, reporting his whereabouts to father and me at all times." Lanni smiled wryly, his pure eyes revealing a trace of weariness, "Although father was harsh, I know he’s suffering inside. If my brother hadn’t threatened my life, father wouldn’t have been so angry. My second sister and I know this, so we fought hard to preserve my brother’s family name. Otherwise, if father had truly removed him from the family, their father-son bond would be beyond repair."