It was already late autumn. Zhang Meiyu, with a loving expression, handed Tang Xiaomin a knitted dress she had made herself.
"Xiaomin, the dress is finished. Try it on," she said.
It was a cream-colored, intricately patterned, fitted dress, adorned with three-dimensional colored flowers. Zhang Meiyu had knitted every stitch herself.
Hand-knitted garments had become her hobby since last year, and her skills had improved significantly. Whatever she made now looked quite polished.
Tang Xiaomin took it and looked at it, instantly amazed by Zhang Meiyu's creation.
"It's actually quite beautiful," she admitted.
"Mom, when did you knit this? I had no idea!"
Zhang Meiyu held the dress up against Tang Xiaomin, as it had been made to her measurements and looked like a perfect fit.
"I used lotus silk to knit this for you. It's not like ordinary yarn. When you wear it, it emits a natural lotus fragrance."
Lotus silk is drawn from the stems and branches of lotus roots. It's a pure plant fiber, far more precious than silkworm silk, and is quite valuable.
Due to its rarity, it's usually used to make small items like scarves and handkerchiefs.
Yet, Zhang Meiyu had used it to make a dress, indicating she had spent a considerable sum.
Tang Xiaomin's heart felt warm and deeply moved.
"I'll go change into it."
"Alright, go ahead."
Tang Xiaomin went back to her room to change. She specifically looked at herself in the mirror.
While knitted dresses might lack the design and texture of branded apparel, this particular dress gave off a serene and tranquil feeling when worn.
Wearing it, she looked like a girl next door.
When she emerged again and stood before Zhang Meiyu, she asked, "Does it look good?"
"It looks wonderful. Tomorrow, we're attending Mrs. Ye's banquet. You should wear this dress."
"Which Mrs. Ye?"
"Oh, Ye Lingyun's mother."
Logically, given the Tang family's current standing, they wouldn't be on the Ye family's radar.
Since Zhang Meiyu's divorce last year, she had largely withdrawn from social events. This was a perfect opportunity for her to get out and about.
The next day, Tang Ye personally braided Tang Xiaomin's hair into two beautiful plaits.
"Xiaomin, doesn't this hairstyle complement your dress nicely?"
Tang Ye, always at the forefront of fashion, was skilled in styling. The hairstyle he gave Tang Xiaomin was a delightful enhancement, making her look even more beautiful.
*Click!*
Tang Ye couldn't resist taking a photo of Tang Xiaomin. In his eyes, his sister was far more beautiful than any female celebrity.
"Alright, Xiaomin, let's go."
Tang Xiaomin drove, taking Zhang Meiyu to Ye Lingyun's residence.
It was the same old Ye family mansion. The walls that had been blown up in Yan Jue's fit of rage had been rebuilt.
With a thickness exceeding one meter, their defensive capabilities were several times stronger than before.
The banquet was held during the day, and all attendees were women.
Zhang Meiyu and Tang Xiaomin's arrival immediately drew the attention of those around them.
"Isn't that Mrs. Tang? We haven't seen you in ages."
"Yes, you never came when we invited you before. How is it that Mrs. Ye's invitation brought you here?"
"Alas... Mrs. Tang doesn't avoid banquets; it depends on who invites her. Only someone of Mrs. Ye's status can persuade her."
...
They were all older ladies, and Tang Xiaomin didn't recognize any of them.
Their sharp and malicious words spilled out, disregarding anyone's feelings.
Zhang Meiyu had anticipated this reception.
A year had passed, and she had weathered storms far greater than this. A few unpleasant remarks barely registered, and she had no intention of engaging with them.
Zhang Meiyu said, "Xiaomin, let's go say hello to Mrs. Ye over there."
As they turned to move away from the group, gossip followed them.
"Look at her arrogance. What man could tolerate that? No wonder she was cheated on and divorced after having five children. There must be a reason."
"Hiding for a year, and she finally decides to show her face, huh..."
...
Her failed marriage was a deep wound for Zhang Meiyu. Now, to have it brought up and gossiped about, her innate pride couldn't help but react.
Zhang Meiyu turned back and said coldly to the women,
"Those words you just uttered... those who know you might assume you are ladies of standing, but those who don't would think you are mere gossips. Your upbringing is truly eye-opening."
"What did you say! Who are you calling a gossip!"
The women instantly became enraged, their expressions changing.
"Zhang Meiyu, everyone knows about your messy affairs. Are you saying people aren't allowed to talk about it?"
"Exactly. Even if others don't say it, can you control what people think in their hearts?"
Facing the sharp-tongued and petty women, Zhang Meiyu's expression turned extremely grim.
"Xiaomin, let's go. Don't pay attention to these gossips."
Zhang Meiyu pulled Tang Xiaomin to leave, but Tang Xiaomin stood rooted to the spot.
"Xiaomin, let's go."
Tang Xiaomin remained unmoved, her gaze cold as she looked at the group of elderly women. Her piercing stare irked them.
"What are you staring at, you brat? Are you not convinced?"
"We're just stating facts."
...
Considering the knitted dress she was wearing, Tang Xiaomin absolutely refused to let these sharp-tongued old women bully Zhang Meiyu by sheer numbers.
Zhang Meiyu had endured betrayal, been deceived and abandoned by Tang Zhongcheng, lost her son, and had gone through so much. She was already pitiful enough. Why should these people use her misfortune to torment her?
As the saying goes, the kind are often bullied, and the docile are often ridden.
There was no point in arguing with people who excelled at verbal sparring.
Without another word, Tang Xiaomin grabbed one of the old women and dragged her towards a water feature.
"Ah! What are you doing!"
"Let me go!"
The sudden turn of events shocked everyone present.
In full view of everyone, Tang Xiaomin unhesitatingly threw the woman into a flower bed pond.
With a *plop*, the woman, looking like a drowned rat, struggled to climb out of the water.
"You little bitch, you'd better wait. I won't let this go!"
Hearing this, Tang Xiaomin chuckled.
"Everyone heard her. She intends not to let me go. Since that's the case, I certainly can't let her get out and deal with me."
A wicked smile curved her lips as she walked directly to the woman struggling to climb out of the pond. Rolling up her sleeves, she pinned the woman down and submerged her head in the water.
"Ah... *cough*... Help... Help..."
Such a vicious act sent chills down everyone's spines.
"This is bad! Tang Xiaomin has gone mad! Stop her quickly!"
The braver ones stepped forward, attempting to pull Tang Xiaomin away.
But Tang Xiaomin was truly enraged now. Seizing this opportunity, she wanted everyone to know that anyone who dared to bully Zhang Meiyu would face such consequences.