Chapter 893: Chapter 891: Can’t be too obvious, don’t want to expose the relationship
 

Madam Jiang watched Geng Qiu select a gown from the living room, her expression far from pleasant. She turned to look at Old Jiang, who was sitting on the sofa, absorbed in his tablet.

“What identity do you plan on using to take her to the banquet tonight?” she asked him. “You should know that as soon as we make an appearance, we’ll become the center of attention, and Geng Qiu will be no exception, especially dressed as extravagantly as she is today.”

Madam Jiang had not anticipated Old Jiang’s sudden change of heart either, his going so far as to choose a luxurious dress for Geng Qiu on a whim, instead of sneaking her into the event as initially planned.

Hearing his wife’s complaints, Old Jiang lifted his head to look at her, a frown of irritation creasing his brow; he felt her nagging was purely out of jealousy.

“Are you uncomfortable because you see me doting on her?” he challenged. “Haven’t you already accepted her? Why are you still treating her harshly?”

Over the past few days, Geng Qiu would casually mention grievances about Madam Jiang, and Old Jiang remembered each one, convinced that his wife was treating Geng Qiu poorly out of jealousy.

Watching Old Jiang’s stance, Madam Jiang suddenly laughed. She realized today what it meant to be blinded by lust. Since Old Jiang disliked hearing her talk about Geng Qiu, then she would simply let them be and keep silent henceforth.

“If that’s the case, then arrange it as you please,” she said.

Madam Jiang, unwilling to even spare Old Jiang another glance, rose from the sofa. Since her advice was falling on deaf ears, the affairs of the Jiang family were no longer her concern.

She had already thought of an exit strategy; once Jiang Linyan returned, she would leave this home.

Having said her piece, Madam Jiang stood up and left. Geng Qiu, trying on the dresses, watched her departure and then cast a glance at Old Jiang, who was still seated on the sofa, his face not looking so good.

She quickly picked out a dress and asked the person who brought the dresses to leave. Eventually, only Old Jiang and Geng Qiu were left in the vast living room.

Geng Qiu slipped out of the dress she was trying on and casually put on her pajamas from before, throwing herself onto Old Jiang.

“Uncle Jiang, don’t be angry,” she soothed. “Aunt Jiang probably just thinks that someone of my status isn’t worthy of these gowns. If Aunt Jiang is unwilling, we can stick to the original plan, and I’ll just follow the banquet staff into the event.”

“That should keep things under wraps.”

“Uncle Jiang, don’t quarrel with Aunt Jiang over me. After all, she is the lady of the house, and taking me in has already been a favor. I… I shouldn’t ask for too much,” Geng Qiu added, lowering her head with a seemingly aggrieved expression that could easily tug at anyone’s heartstrings.

Old Jiang, listening to Geng Qiu’s considerate words, instantly felt as if it was he who had wronged her. Geng Qiu had already suffered so much and followed him without formal recognition or status; if he continued to let her be mistreated, that would make him less of a man.

“Don’t worry. You just wear the dress I bought for you and don’t mind her. If she can’t stand it, she doesn’t have to go. Our objective this time is to destroy Mu Chengxi and Wen Xin’s plans, and we don’t need to dwell on other details,” he assured her.

Old Jiang wrapped his arms around Geng Qiu’s slender waist and pulled her into his embrace…

At the Qian family residence, Old Master Qian had spent the entire morning in the Qian family treasure vault, selecting a gift in the hopes of finding something worthy of Wen Xin.

Qian Meng stood by the door, watching Old Master Qian with a serious expression and couldn’t help but tease him.

“Grandfather, aren’t you being too cautious? I seem to recall you once scolded the little princess, pointing at her nose. Now when you think back on it, do you have any regrets? Are you afraid?”

As soon as Qian Meng’s joking words fell, he saw Old Master Qian charge at him with his walking stick, cursing as he came.

Watching the old man running towards him, Qian Meng didn’t dare to dodge; he even directly greeted him with his body, worried that the old man might fall if he dodged.

Then, Qian Meng grunted as Old Master Qian, somewhat surprised, had actually put some force behind his move, thinking that Qian Meng would dodge.

“You little brat, I won’t feel bad for hitting you—it’s your fault after all. Why do you always bring up the very things you shouldn’t? If I had known she was the little princess, even if she killed you, I wouldn’t have scolded her!”

When it came to this matter, Old Master Qian felt aggrieved; it was Qian Meng who had caused the trouble, and he was just helping to handle it.

Never did he imagine that he would end up scolding Independent State’s little princess and that Qian Meng would occasionally bring it up—truly a heartache.

Qian Meng helped Old Master Qian sit down on a chair nearby, turned to fetch him a glass of water, and placed it in his hands.

“Don’t be mad, Grandpa. I just wanted to say that the little princess doesn’t hold grudges by nature. There’s really no need to worry too much that she will hold this against you!”

“Additionally, when we attend the Mu family banquet, we can’t appear too close to the little princess, or the secret that has been hidden for so many years will be revealed. That wouldn’t be good for the little princess.”

“Do you have any treasures? Just wait for the little princess to sort out Independent State’s matters, then you can give them to her. I think this is the best arrangement!”

As Qian Meng spoke, Old Master Qian also unconsciously nodded, indicating his agreement with Qian Meng’s words.

“What you said isn’t wrong; the relationship between the little princess and the Qian family is indeed complex. I heard Qian Cai say that the little princess specifically requested not to have the people from Ancient Martial Town come out—has something happened?” Old Master Qian’s mood had also calmed down at this point, seeming to understand the pros and cons, realizing now was not the time to reveal Wen Xin’s relationship with Independent State.

“That’s a long story. Lately, the power dynamics in Beijing have been somewhat complicated, especially since Old Jiang’s actions were a bit too conspicuous, entangling the powers of Beijing. Now, though Old Jiang has passed away, the problems still remain.”

“Like Kunshan Group, which is still in Beijing…”

When Qian Meng mentioned Kunshan Group, Old Master Qian’s eyes darkened for a moment, well aware of what Kunshan represented.

“Sigh, those are matters for the higher-ups. With our status, all we can do is ensure the little princess’s protection. Be diligent!”

Old Master Qian couldn’t help but sigh deeply as he looked at Qian Meng, troubled by remembering the incident where Qian Meng offended Wen Xin. Luckily, the little princess didn’t hold it against Qian Meng too much, or he would not be in for good days ahead!

“Rest assured, Grandpa, I know what I should do now. Moreover, the little princess sometimes proactively seeks my help with certain matters, and I will definitely cooperate well.”