The footsteps and conversation in the corridor gradually died down.
Lin Mu Xue and Mayor Li's group disappeared through the entrance to the neighboring Chang'an Hall.
Inside Peony Hall, however, the silence born of awe exploded like a drop of water hitting boiling oil.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
A torrent of heated discussion swept through the relatives' tables like a swarm of bees leaving the hive.
"Oh my God! Was I seeing things just now? That really was Mayor Li?!"
"He shook hands with our Baoshan! Personally shook his hand! Good heavens, what kind of face is that?!"
"Xiao Xue—what exactly does she do now? From the sound of it, she's representing some kind of 'capital' on an inspection visit to Chang'an?"
"I heard it was called—Rongliu Capital? Oh my, just hearing that name makes it sound incredible!"
For a moment, everyone's faces flushed and their eyes widened.
They were so excited that they could barely speak coherently.
Some relatives who had previously looked down on Xiao Xue, who had gossiped that she was "messing around outside" and mocked her for having no proper job, all changed their expressions.
Someone awkwardly straightened their collar and forced out a smile. "Oh, this girl was smart from childhood. I always said she'd make something of herself!"
"Exactly, exactly! Of all the kids in our family, Xiao Xue has always been the cleverest!"
Second Aunt Wang Suyun grabbed Wang Suxia, who was still frozen in shock.
Her voice trembled. "Suxia! You old woman! Your second daughter has become this successful, and you didn't leak a single word to us?! You hid it way too well!"
"I—I didn't know either..." Wang Suxia's mind was still completely blank. She could only mumble instinctively.
She looked at the hand of her husband, Lin Baoshan, that Mayor