CHAPTER 690: CHAPTER 621: ENCROACHMENT

"Xingxuan Pavilion" is not a traditional wardrobe in the usual sense; it resembles more of a futuristic, technological space.

The pure white curved walls are as smooth as mirrors, and as Yan Yueqing steps in, gentle lights automatically brighten, outlining the room’s contours.

In the center of the room, a floating transparent platform rises slowly, quietly displaying a gown.

Even Yan Yueqing, accustomed to luxury, holds her breath at this moment.

It is a masterpiece that combines the classical charm of Hua Country with top-notch technological aesthetics. The primary color is the profound "Star Dome Blue," as if it encapsulates the depths of the entire universe.

The gown’s base is a special fabric never seen before, seemingly matte at first glance, but when the light flows across it, a dynamic starry galaxy pattern faintly emerges within the fabric—not simple embroidery or prints, but like real nebulas slowly rotating and flowing. With her breathing and movements, the starlight flickers, as if it has come to life.

The gown’s tailoring is an improved style of Hanfu deep garment design, with a cross-collar right robe closure. The collar and cuffs are delicately outlined with extremely fine secret silver thread in a Flowing Cloud Pattern. The most astonishing part is the wide water sleeves and hem. The outer layer of the water sleeves is nearly transparent Star Gauze, while the inner layer is embedded with countless micron-level flexible light sources, gathering at the cuffs to form a circle of soft halo.

The hem layers with a deep blue gradient into nearly transparent ink color, creating an effect like walking on a flowing night sky. The outermost layer is covered by an extremely thin, almost imperceptible "air film," which not only resists water and stains but also automatically adjusts to environmental temperatures to maintain optimal comfort for the wearer.

"The Family Head said, you’ve returned like a star, and this ’Star Dome Guide’ perfectly suits your wishes." Aunt Jiang’s voice carries pride as she assists Yan Yueqing in carefully donning this seemingly alive gown. The fingertips touch the fabric, feeling warm and slightly cool, yet strangely conforming to body temperature. When the final belt adorned with deep blue Energy Crystals, resembling a Star Ring, automatically clasps and suspends at the optimal position at her back, Yan Yueqing gazes into the mirror at herself.

The person in the mirror is draped in a flowing starry galaxy, the profound blue setting off her snow-white skin, with calm and serene eyes.

The magical play of light and shadow endowed by high technology perfectly merges with the dignified elegance of traditional attire, making her resemble both a goddess stepping out of an ancient painting and a future star descended to the mortal world. The gown itself emits a faint glow, enveloping her in a layer of hazy and mysterious aura.

Holding her mother Jiang Yu’s arm, Yan Yueqing once again steps into the core area of the banquet hall.

In the massive ring-shaped space, holographic projections of cosmic nebulas majestically spread across the "walls" all around. Floating miniature fragrance robots release a subtle cool scent, while servers silently shuttle through with flowing trays wrapped in invisible force fields. The air is precisely controlled, comfortable and pleasant.

However, when Yan Yueqing’s gaze falls on the crowd, the awe brought by high technology is instantly dispelled by a cold sense of reality.

Blonde hair and blue-eyed faces overwhelmingly dominate, with various fluent foreign languages intertwining into the main melody, while Chinese has become more of an accent.

The dazzling brilliance of Western gowns and jewelry further accentuate the singularity of the sparse traditional attire from Hua Country.

Here, it seems more like a European aristocratic feast.

"These years, for stability, marriage is the norm." Jiang Yu’s voice sounds in her ear with bitterness, "Bloodlines are diluting, the foundation is shaking. Look over there."

Following her mother’s indication, Yan Yueqing sees five women surrounded at the core—the power holders of the Elder Council.

Jiang Yu leads her directly forward. "Elders, this is my daughter, Jiang Xiaoxing, just returned."

Five pairs of eyes instantly focus, scrutinizing, exploring, curious... various emotions entwine.

Leading them is Great Elder Jiang Jingshu, white hair like silver, deep purple cheongsam, sharp eyes like an eagle, speaking first, with a meticulous and upright tone of Chinese that carries a senior’s scrutiny: "Jiang Xiaoxing? Finally meet you. I am the Great Elder, Jiang Jingshu."

The last time Yan Yueqing returned to the Jiang Family, she was only ten; at that time, the Great Elder was in seclusion until she returned to Hua Country; then the Great Elder emerged.

This is their first time meeting.

"Elder Jingshu." Yan Yueqing bows slightly, her etiquette impeccable, using clear Chinese.

Jiang Jingshu nods, her expression neither servile nor overbearing, seemingly indifferent to the emotions and reactions of the person in front.

Then, a middle-aged woman beside her with a relatively gentle demeanor dressed in an indigo long dress smiles warmly.

Her smile is akin to a spring breeze, easily fostering closeness, she initiates: "I am the Second Elder, Jiang Wenxin. It’s been a long journey; it’s good to be back. Seeing you, it truly feels like seeing a young Jiang Yu, this charm in your features, unmistakable."

Seeing Second Elder Jiang Wenxin’s spring breeze-like smile, listening to her gentle and concerned words, Yan Yueqing maintains a graceful smile in response: "Thank you, Second Elder."

However, deep inside, alarm bells instantly ring!

The Second Elder, is closely connected with Jiang Ke! Even before Jiang Ke’s last secret mission to the North Sea Lowell family-controlled waters, he visited the Second Elder.

Yan Yueqing knows she is far from as gentle and harmless as she appears, yet she remains silent, seemingly as if meeting for the first time, polite but distant.

Beside her, a woman with a stern face, sharp eyes, dressed in a dark business skirt suit, merely gives a slight, indifferent nod: "Third Elder, Jiang Su."

Her words are concise, her tone very distant, reluctant to chat more.

Great Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder are all of Eastern appearance, but Jiang Yu has privately mentioned, currently in the Elder Council only Great Elder and Second Elder are of pure Eastern bloodline, from the Third Elder to the Fifth Elder are all of mixed blood.

There are also two elders, Sixth and Seventh, who have been residing in the Jiang family branch in M Continent, rarely returning. Because of this, the Sixth and Seventh Elders have almost no presence in the Elder Council.

As she ponders this matter, the blonde, blue-eyed Fourth Elder Jiang Na enthusiastically steps forward: "Oh dear, welcome home! I am the Fourth Elder, my full name is Jiang Na Rowell (Elena Rowell)."

She deliberately emphasizes the surname "Rowell."

Interesting, in the Jiang family, not following the Jiang surname, yet it retains the Rowell surname?

Yan Yueqing silently shares a meaningful glance with her mother, it seems~ the issues within the Elder Council, are not just limited to what the two of them have discussed...

Fifth Elder Jiang Catherine (Catherine Jiang), a mixed-race woman, black hair and blue eyes, cold and glamorous demeanor, nods reservedly, speaking fluent English: "Fifth Elder, Jiang Catherine."

Her tone is somewhat cold and proud.

Clearly, just from their names, the hearts of the Fourth and Fifth Elders have leaned towards the Pacific!

Yet it’s the foundation of the Jiang family here, otherwise, they might directly rename themselves Rowell, Catherine, who knows?