Chapter 226: Chapter 226 Returning the Original Words, Fair and Reasonable Chapter 226: Chapter 226 Returning the Original Words, Fair and Reasonable Jiang Fanyue could continue brazenly all because no one had so bluntly punctured her facade, so she pretended to be none the wiser.

But faced with someone like Xia Enci, who spoke her mind directly, Jiang Fanyue’s evasive maneuvers proved insufficient.

Feeling the scorching gazes of those around her, she began to feel as though she couldn’t stand there any longer.

It was then that Jiang Xiruo spoke soothingly, “Fanyue.”

“Little aunt, I’m here,” Jiang Fanyue immediately responded.

“You were raised by Jiang Zhang and Liang Jinlan, and it wasn’t easy for them to raise you. You once said you wanted to stay by their side and be filial. We certainly respect your decision, and we don’t have the heart to disrupt your family reunion. You’re grown up now and have your own mind; since you’ve made such a choice, just stay home and be filial to your parents.”

Jiang Xiruo’s words were gentle, but each phrase was decisive.

She returned every word that Jiang Fanyue had said in the past verbatim.

These matters were known to everyone present, and Jiang Fanyue had made it clear to Jiang Yaowang and Jiang Xiruo that she distanced herself from such relations.

Jiang Xiruo’s reiteration of her own words was both appropriate and reasonable.

Jiang Fanyue lost all face and, after a moment of stillness, could no longer bear to stay and had to turn and leave.

Once she left, Gu Jiaheng and Han Jiayan could no longer stay either and made their excuses to leave.

Xia Enci looked down at the fragments of the purple-clay teapot and couldn’t help but click her tongue, “But what a pity for this thing. I wonder if this large piece of broken pottery could still be worth some money?”

“Xuexue, take a look,” Ding Yuehua was keen to let Ding Xuexue assess the value of the item.

Some antiques, even if only fragments remain, can be very valuable.

It was also a good opportunity for Ding Xuexue to demonstrate her expertise.

When Jiang Zhe heard Xia Enci speaking, he casually remarked, “It’s worthless. A fake.”

Ding Xuexue was about to examine it when she heard Jiang Zhe say this; she lost interest, finding Jiang Zhe to be too impulsive and perhaps not a pleasant person to deal with.

“Cousin, then please have someone clean this up,” Jiang Xiruo said.

Jiang Xiliang arranged for the butler to sweep the pieces away.

After such an incident, it was already time for the meal. Wen Xia called everyone together, “It’s rare for the great-uncle to be back today, and I’m honored to have everyone here to welcome him. Please take your seats and let’s have a meal together. I apologize if the hospitality is not up to par.”

Everyone took their seats together.

Jiang Zhe naturally sat beside Jiang Yaowang.

Seeing this, Wen Xia thought of Jiang Fanyue and sighed in sympathy.

Xiao Meng, Xia Enci, and Qin He gathered around Jiang Zhe, while Ding Xuexue found herself far from Jiang Yaowang’s position.

The mother and daughter were displeased, but they restrained themselves from making a scene.

…

Outside, Jiang Fanyue ran out, feeling utterly lost. The cold winter wind chilled her to the bone.

When Gu Jiaheng and Han Jiayan walked out and saw her like this, they weren’t sure how to comfort her.

Han Jiayan looked at Gu Jiaheng, “Jiaheng, what do you think Jiang Zhe’s intentions are towards you…”

“I’m going to see Fanyue,” Gu Jiaheng thought of Jiang Zhe’s arrogance towards him and felt his sympathies tilt toward Jiang Fanyue.

Han Jiayan didn’t say much more; after all, Jiang Fanyue was Jiang Yaowang’s biological granddaughter, so her status wasn’t far off from that of Jiang Zhe.

Gu Jiaheng kept Jiang Fanyue company and escorted her home.

Liang Jinlan saw Jiang Fanyue and felt angry inside, believing that all of this had started because of her.

If Jiang Fanyue hadn’t been set on staying, her relationship with Jiang Zhe wouldn’t have become so strained.

But then, considering Jiang Fanyue’s status, Liang Jinlan dared not take a harsh stance against her.

Jiang Fanyue also noticed this point: Liang Jinlan’s fear was not of her, but of her identity and the man behind her, Jiang Yaowang.

As long as this fear remained, Liang Jinlan would never again be able to boss her around like she used to.

“Fanyue, are you back?” Liang Jinlan suppressed her annoyance, putting on a smile to greet her.

“Yes, I’m a bit tired, I’ll go upstairs to rest.” The moment Jiang Fanyue thought about her own backing, she no longer feared Liang Jinlan or worried about being driven out by them.

Her identity as the cherished daughter was innate, and no one could take that away!

…

Inside Jian Xiliang’s villa, Jiang Yaowang and the others finished their meal quite quickly.

He was about to return to the ancestral house, and the others stood up, indicating they wanted to accompany him.

“There’s no need to trouble everyone, having the younger family members accompany me will be fine,” Jiang Xiruo said.

The guests knew that even if they wanted to curry favor, they couldn’t be too hasty at this moment, and thus didn’t press the issue.

“Mom, what about us?” Ding Xuexue asked Ding Yuehua in a low voice.

Ding Yuehua patted her hand: “Let’s finish eating first, then we’ll discuss.”

She had realized that, for now, the most favored one was Jiang Zhe; it wouldn’t help Ding Xuexue to vie for attention now. It would be better to wait and see.

As long as Xuexue proved superior to Jiang Zhe, winning the old man’s affection was only a matter of time.

Ding Xuexue, watching Jiang Zhe’s departing figure, suddenly remembered who the man beside him was.

Wasn’t that Qin He?

She had a good relationship with Qin He since childhood, but after he went to work for the Qin Family, they had been in touch much less.

Ding Xuexue knew that Qin He worked closely with Qin Jingchen and, because of this, she had seen Qin Jingchen many times before.

However, what exactly was the relationship between Jiang Zhe and Qin Jingchen?

Jiang Zhe was following Jiang Yaowang as they were walking out, and Jiang Cheng approached them.

“Dad, Xiaozhe.” Jiang Cheng was handsome, and although older, age only added to his scholarly elegance, and his figure remained upright.

Jiang Yaowang, looking at his son, couldn’t help but feel a mixture of satisfaction, affection, and guilt.

“Uncle,” Jiang Zhe greeted politely, his features resembling his father’s in some ways, which softened his cold demeanor somewhat.

Jiang Cheng, looking at his niece, felt overcome with emotion, remembering when he heard the news of his elder brother and sister-in-law’s accident as if it was yesterday, and how his little nieces had disappeared.

It had been so many years since their father had left in search of the children.

Feeling a wave of pity for Jiang Zhe, he said, “Xiaozhe, now that you’ve returned with Grandfather, if you need anything, just tell your uncle.”

“I will,” Jiang Zhe nodded lightly.

“Add my mobile number and WeChat, and contact me anytime if you need anything.” Jiang Cheng handed over his phone.

Jiang Zhe took the phone and scanned his QR code.

Returning to Ding Yuehua’s side, Jiang Cheng’s actions made her feel somewhat displeased deep down: “You’re so good to them, but they might not appreciate it.”

“After all, Xiaozhe is my elder brother’s daughter. Dad also raised me from a child,” he said.

“After all these years, how come your dad never thought about you?” Ding Yuehua remarked.

“They must have had their reasons,” replied Jiang Cheng.

Jian Xiliang and Wen Xia also whispered to each other, “Has the eldest uncle been living in Jincheng all these years?”

Jian Xiliang remembered the clues they found last time, right in Wangjia Alley, but when they went there, they came up with nothing.