Mu Yining caught sight of Ji Heng walking ahead, a long smoking pipe in hand, with Tang Ming by his side.

Mu Xiangguang hadn’t come, which Mu Yining had expected.

As the cold wind blew, they could hear Tang Ming’s cheerful voice, “Grandpa, look, that duck can fly!”

Ji Heng looked up and smiled as he took a puff of smoke, “That’s a Spotted Goose.”

The Mu Family’s estate was located in a garden area, where many protected wild birds would take refuge, and Ji Heng recognized at first glance what bird it was.

Next to him, the butler followed on Ji Heng’s left, uncharacteristically silent.

Mu Yining was somewhat astonished at the butler’s neglect and straightened her clothes before approaching Ji Heng, “Uncle, you’re here.”

When she looked up, she finally saw Bai Lian and Jiang Fulai, who were lagging behind.

Bai Lian was wrapped in a green cloak, holding a box made of ebony in her left hand, tapping it leisurely as she chatted idly with the person beside her.

In the sunlight, the White Jade Hairpin on her head seemed to glow with blue radiance.

“Are you going to have dinner with my aunt tonight?” Jiang Fulai, hands in his coat pockets and eyes downcast in exquisite sorrow, was evidently frustrated, “When did you two become so close?”

They were planning to have dinner together, and he was the last to know.

Ji Heng stopped and greeted Mu Yining, then said to Jiang Fulai, “Xiaojiang, this is Yining.”

Jiang Fulai lifted his gaze and nodded to Mu Yining, his tone noble yet aloof, “Hello.”

After the greeting, he continued discussing with Bai Lian why they were going out to eat, and how he had no clue about it.

With his usual demeanor of being too lazy to converse with others, Bai Lian thought that even Gao Shu wouldn’t dare to bother him with such trivialities, “No more words, Young Master Jiang,” Bai Lian busied him, placing the ebony box in his hands, “Hold this for me.”

Jiang Fulai glanced down at her and, taking the box from her, didn’t ask further.

Ji Heng, still holding his smoking pipe, saw Mu Yining standing still, “Aren’t you going in?”

As he spoke, Jiang Fulai also glanced over, his gaze faintly landing on Mu Yining.

Mu Yining, having encountered a variety of personalities within the circle, used to see Chen Family’s elder regularly in earlier years. Yet, now, confronted by Jiang Fulai’s gaze, she felt a chill down her spine, “Uncle, please go ahead.”

Ji Heng walked inside, and Mu Yining followed a few steps behind, staying close to Bai Lian and the others, “Young Master Jiang, I didn’t expect you to come.”

Jiang Fulai, the legitimate son of the Jiang Family.

Rarely appearing in public, even Chen Family’s elder would rise to greet him.

How could Mu Yining not know him?

“I came with Grandfather Ji,” Jiang Fulai, holding the ebony box and following Bai Lian, replied indifferently, “You don’t need to mind me.”

His words revealed so much.

Today’s Jiang Fulai didn’t come as a representative of the Jiang Family, but with the Ji Family.

Mu Yining looked at Bai Lian beside him, her heart tense as she finally understood why the butler informed her so much in advance to stand outside.

Otherwise, if the butler had simply stated, “The eldest young master of the Jiang Family has also arrived,” Mu Yining would have definitely not believed it.

She followed behind the group, looking at the silent butler, and let out a breath of murky air, “They, the two of them…”

The butler nodded towards Mu Yining.

**

The Ancestral Hall.

Knowing that Ji Shaojun had gone to meet with collaborative partners, the Mu Clan’s leader and his entourage didn’t pay much attention, simply chatted and laughed with Dong Chuan and Mu Youjun, until Ji Shaojun arrived with the three individuals.

The person in the middle, Director Chen, was seldom seen smiling. After becoming the head of Yunxiao District, his authoritative presence had grown even more evident.

Ren Wanxuan, who had seen Director Chen before, recognized the man she had met in Xiangcheng instantly, setting down her teacup, “Chen… Mr. Chen?”

The surname “Chen” indeed attracted attention.

The Mu Clan leader and Dong Chuan quickly turned their gaze, and Dong Chuan didn’t hesitate to put down his teacup and rise from his seat, both surprised and respectful, “Mr. Chen.”

Dong Family’s eldest young master, with close ties to the Jiang Family, naturally recognized Chen Yongkun.

Besides, who wasn’t aware by now who had single-handedly promoted Chen Yongkun?

Hearing Dong Chuan’s voice, Mu Youjun looked up, aware that the Chen Family had little contact with the Gao Family, but she knew this rising star, Mr. Chen, was on good terms with Jiang Fulai.

In the past two months, Gao Yi had tried to meet with Chen Yongkun more than once, and lately in Jiangjing, many sought to ingratiate themselves with Chen Yongkun, with no shortage of gifts sent from many within the Jiang Family.

But Chen Yongkun was an enigma, accepting no gifts and living a reclusive life, skillfully handling affairs without getting involved.

These individuals found it difficult to establish connections with Chen Yongkun.

Mu Youjun was extremely surprised to encounter Chen Yongkun here, a truly unexpected delight.

She set down her teacup and stood up, very polite, “Mr. Chen, what brings you here? We’ve met before at the Xu Family’s.”

Behind her, the high-ranking Gao Family butler, who had barely interacted with the Mu Family, looked up, surprised to find that the present Mu Yining had such connections that she had invited Chen Yongkun.

He greeted Director Chen respectfully.

A crowd had gathered around Ren Wanxuan, both inside and out, several layers deep.

Director Chen’s gaze fell on Mu Youjun’s group, while in the corner of his eye, he saw Shen Qing’s side looking deserted, with only Mu Zhao attending to the guests.

They were all people of the world, and at a glance, it was evident what was going on.

Not to mention he wasn’t familiar with Mu Youjun, knowing that Jiang Fulai didn’t like the Gao Family, even if he had been familiar with them, after today, he would start acting unfamiliar.

Director Chen just nodded towards their side as a polite gesture.

As for Dong Chuan, he didn’t know him and therefore didn’t greet him.

Then he walked briskly with Dean Feng towards Shen Qing and Xu En, stopping in front of them, warmly greeting Shen Qing, “Sister-in-law, you’ve arrived quite early.”

At the table, Shen Qing was only familiar with Xu En, and Ji Mulan didn’t pay her much attention either.

Although Xu En was looking out for her feelings, he was unable to attend to her fully due to the presence of two other business partners, and Shen Qing found herself at a loss for words.

Sitting in the spacious hall, surrounded by the powerful elite, she felt very uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Mu Zhao, who was sitting beside her, often spoke to her, which prevented her from feeling too constrained.

Now that Director Chen and Ji Shaojun had arrived, Shen Qing breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, “Xiaochen, you’ve come so late.”

Director Chen smiled, “I had some matters to deal with and arrived late! I’ll start by drinking three penalty cups.”

Xu En stood up; he was familiar with Director Chen and dispensed with the formalities, greeting the other two, “Dean Feng, Chairman Liao.”

This side was filled with joyful laughter and chatter.

By greeting Shen Qing like this, Director Chen had done his duty for appearance’s sake.

On the other side, the group with Mu Youjun and Dong Chuan quieted down.

When the head of the Mu Clan found out who Director Chen was and learned the identities of Dean Feng and the others, he, too, grew restless. He wanted to go over, but having not greeted Shen Qing and the others earlier, he couldn’t find a good reason to do so now.

A sense of regret welled up inside him. Who could have known that Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun, having returned to the Mu Family for so long and always acting low-key, would know people of such stature?

Even the Gao Family’s butler could not help but bow his head and ask Mu Youjun in a low voice, “Madam, is the Mu Family so close with Director Chen?”

Mu Youjun’s mind was in disarray; how could she know that Shen Qing, a woman whom she thought she could see right through, would actually know Chen Yongkun?

And be on familiar terms with Chen Yongkun?

Dong Chuan, seeing Director Chen seat himself next to Shen Qing, couldn’t help but look at Ren Wanxuan, asking, “Wanxuan, should we not go over and greet your uncle and auntie?”

Ren Wanxuan looked up but didn’t get a chance to respond to Dong Chuan.

At the entrance, Assistant Wang led Ji Heng and others in.

Ji Heng wore a grey robe, carrying a long smoking pipe, his hands clasped behind his back, while the usually chattering Tang Ming, seeing the crowded hall, also stopped.

Most people did not recognize Ji Heng.

Behind them followed Pu Xiaohan and Ning Xiao, with Ning Xiao holding a gift box, always gloomy and not prone to speaking with others.

Jiang Fulai, holding Bai Lian’s sandalwood box, walked with a lazy look in his eyes and followed her steps, unhurriedly.

He seemed quite relaxed today, tall and handsome with a detached expression.

However, as soon as they entered the hall, starting from the entrance, the boisterous, interacting crowd, centered around Bai Lian and the others, began to quiet down radiating outwards.

Director Chen, who was talking with Xu En and the others, sensitively picked up on this disturbance.

He looked towards the entrance and quickly stood up.

Dean Feng also felt something odd, followed his gaze, and immediately recognized the two striking figures among the crowd. He coughed and quickly put down his teacup to stand up.

When he stood up, Liao Guangxuan, who had not seen Jiang Fulai before, also stood.

Everyone at the table stood up, and Mu Youjun and Dong Chuan, who were paying attention to their side, also looked towards the entrance. Who was this arriving?

They immediately spotted Jiang Fulai.

Dong Chuan’s face, which had always been calm, changed; he stopped talking to Ren Wanxuan and abruptly stood up.

His composure had always been dependable, even when facing Mu Youjun, one of the highest-status individuals Ren Wanxuan had ever encountered. Dong Chuan’s sudden serious expression surprised Ren Wanxuan.

Mu Youjun and the senior butler stood frozen in place, looking towards the entrance, struggling to grasp the situation.

The line of people slowly approached.

At Director Chen’s table, the usually talkative Dean Feng and Chairman Liao didn’t dare to speak, but Director Chen, accustomed to such situations, was the first to break the silence, “Uncle Ji, Miss Bai, Young Master Jiang.”

Dean Feng, not recognizing Ji Heng, smiled, “Miss Bai, Young Master Jiang.”

Bai Lian nodded to him in acknowledgment.

In the silence, Jiang Fulai casually yet politely greeted Ji Shaojun, “Uncle Ji.”

This greeting of “Uncle Ji” undoubtedly dropped a bombshell among everyone present.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com