Chapter 254: Chapter 254: The Dinner Party

News of what happened between Admiral Clan and Lu Ge Wei finally spread throughout the entire Empire. As the first male to be granted a divorce exemption by Her Majesty the Queen, Admiral Clan’s name resounded across the Empire.

His name even remained a trending topic for many days.

Many reporters also wanted to interview Admiral Clan, but he politely declined them all.

By contrast, Lu Ge Wei’s life became increasingly difficult. The females who were once close to her completely cut off all contact. Their stated reason was that they no longer wanted to be friends with a female like Lu Ge Wei, fearing they might one day become like her.

After all, this was a female whom even Her Majesty the Queen disapproved of. Otherwise, why would Her Majesty the Queen choose to support a male instead of helping her?

Lu Ge Wei was resentful. She tried every method she could think of to see Her Majesty the Queen, only to discover how difficult the task truly was.

Sofie Manor, where Her Majesty the Queen now resided, was simply not a place ordinary people could enter.

Yet, it was at this very moment that a rumor began to spread: Admiral Clan hadn’t requested the divorce exemption from Her Majesty the Queen himself. Rather, it was his daughter, the esteemed Lu Xiao, who had traded her own merits for it during an audience with the Queen.

As soon as this news broke, all of aristocratic society was once again stunned.

Lu Xiao had actually used her own merits to secure such an exemption for her Father. How could she be so devoted?

Who wouldn’t be moved to hear of such a daughter?

Compared to her, their own daughters seemed worthless enough to be thrown away.

Admiral Clan truly has a wonderful daughter!

All at once, Admiral Clan became the most envied Father in the entire Empire.

This, in turn, made Lu Ge Wei the most miserable of mothers. Although she had given birth to the daughter, as the biological mother, she had reaped none of the benefits. Instead, she had been backstabbed by this outstanding daughter of hers.

So, the problem must have been with her.

Why? Because it was a commonly held belief throughout the Empire that daughters were naturally closer to their biological mothers. So, if Lu Xiao wasn’t close to Lu Ge Wei and instead favored Admiral Clan, didn’t that prove there was something wrong with Lu Ge Wei?

When this news came out, it pushed Lu Ge Wei, whose situation was already dire, into an even more wretched state.

Now, she couldn’t leave her house at all.

Whenever she went out, she was met with scorn and ridicule. Lu Ge Wei fainted right after hearing the news, and when she woke up, she fell into a deep depression.

It was at this time that the old butler of Earl Ge Wei Mansion also tendered his resignation.

Lu Ge Wei looked at the butler before her. “Are you leaving me, too?”

The old butler kept his eyes lowered. “Madam, people naturally strive for better opportunities. Someone has offered me a higher salary, an offer I cannot refuse. I ask for your understanding. Besides, with me gone, the expenses of the Earl’s Mansion will be somewhat reduced. Your days should become much easier.”

Now that Admiral Clan’s assets were gone, the entire Earl’s Mansion had fallen on hard times.

Outsiders might not know, but how could he, the butler, not?

Rather than stay here and risk not getting paid, it was better to leave now. He had no particular sense of belonging to the Earl’s Mansion anyway; a job was a job, no matter where it was.

His words clearly hit a nerve. Lu Ge Wei snapped, “If you’re going to leave, then just go! Don’t stand here mocking me!”

The old butler nodded. “Very well. Please take care of yourself, Madam.”

With that said, the old butler left without a moment’s hesitation.

Not long after, rumors spread from Earl Ge Wei Mansion that Lu Ge Wei was forcing her side husbands and husbands to go out and work to support her.

By the time these rumors reached Lu Xiao, she and Ares were in their room changing into their formal wear. The evening banquet was about to begin, and they were to be the stars of the show.

The outfits Cecilia had prepared for them were of a matching style and color scheme; even their accessories were a set.

Anyone who saw them would know they were a couple. Cecilia had clearly done it on purpose.

The red, strapless gown made Lu Xiao’s skin look as white as snow and smooth as jade. Paired with a matching red crystal necklace and earrings, she looked noble, elegant, and exceptionally beautiful.

Watching Lu Xiao emerge from the dressing room, Ares’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. He walked over and wrapped his arm around her slender waist. “Xiao Xiao, you’re so beautiful today. What am I going to do? I suddenly don’t want anyone else to see you like this. I want to hide you away!”

It was the first time Lu Xiao had heard a man express his feelings so boldly. Although she was overjoyed, it also made her quite shy.

She gently hooked a finger in Ares’s collar, rising on her tiptoes to kiss the corner of his lips. “You look very handsome today too, Ares. If you want to hide me, then let’s just hide away together.”

He wore a suit in the same color scheme as her dress, which accentuated his tall, long-legged frame. Combined with Ares’s uniquely cool and aloof aura, he was truly dazzling.

Together, they couldn’t have looked more like a perfect match.

It was about time. Lu Xiao reapplied her lipstick, took Ares’s arm, and they left the room to head downstairs for the banquet.

Meanwhile, guests had already been trickling into the vast hall.

When these guests first received their invitations from the Galliodoro Duke Mansion, many of them couldn’t believe their eyes. It was a well-known fact that the Galliodoro Duke Mansion hadn’t hosted a banquet in many years.

Therefore, this invitation carried significant weight. Everyone who received one was ecstatic. This meant Duke Galli Odello had not forgotten them and still acknowledged their status. Of course they had to attend. Not only attend, but arrive in their absolute finest.

For these aristocrats, a banquet at the Galliodoro Duke Mansion was comparable to one hosted by Her Majesty the Queen.

Unfortunately, ever since Her Majesty the Queen had moved to Sofie Manor, she had stopped hosting banquets entirely.

Very few nobles in the Empire were capable of hosting a banquet of such a high caliber.

The fact that the Galliodoro Duke Mansion was now hosting a banquet again—and had invited them—was almost too exciting to bear.

That was why, even though the banquet had not yet officially started, these people had already arrived, dressed to the nines. They wanted to see who Duke Galli Odello had invited, and more importantly, who he had not.

Anyone who failed to appear here today would be the object of their ridicule for days to come.

The moment Lu Xiao and Ares appeared, the vast hall fell silent. Lu Huan and Lu Yu, however, immediately put down what they were holding and rushed over to greet them. “Sister! Brother-in-law!”

The two young females were also dressed in lovely gowns, looking both pretty and innocent. Lu Xiao waved. “When did you two get here? Have you eaten?”

“I got here a while ago, and I’ve already eaten, Sister. How about you?”

“Perfect timing. Lead the way to the food. I doubt we’ll have time to eat once the banquet officially starts.” As Lu Xiao spoke, she gently tugged on Ares’s arm.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep