CHAPTER 691: CHAPTER 622: THE STATE OF THE JIANG FAMILY

Three Hua mixes, and two elders whose whereabouts are unknown in the M Continent’s Jiang Family branch...

Yan Yueqing silently recited this pattern in her heart.

Jiang Na Rowell... The Beihai Core Sea Area controlled by the Lowell family... Jiang Ke went missing right there!

It seems that connections between the Second Elder and the Fourth Elder run deep too.

Yan Yueqing maintained an impeccable smile, responding one by one, "Elder Jiang Na, Elder Jiang Catherine, nice to meet you."

"What a beautiful girl!" Fourth Elder Jiang Na warmly held Yan Yueqing’s hand, "The Young Master has finally returned, we’ve been waiting for you for many years~ The scenery here in the S Continent is nice, but the world is so big, the scenery of our Lowell family in the North Sea is also exquisite, you must visit someday!"

"We"? "Lowell family"?

Are they not even pretending anymore?

"Thank you, Elder Jiang Na, for the invitation." Yan Yueqing’s smile didn’t waver, her tone calm, "When I returned, I coincidentally met someone, named... Kains Lowell, who claims to be the Little Prince of Beihai. I wonder if the Fourth Elder knows him?"

"Oh, him~" Jiang Na laughed, "He’s my little nephew, the heir of this generation of the Lowell family! You’ve met him, isn’t he quite witty and humorous?"

Yan Yueqing smiled without speaking.

Jiang Na was very enthusiastic: "I told you youngsters will definitely have topics to chat about, I’m just wondering where that rascal went? He clearly told me a few days ago he was close by..."

Yan Yueqing couldn’t help but feel puzzled upon hearing this.

Seven days ago, Keynes followed her all the way into the Jiang family territory, stopped outside the defense line.

Later, she and her mother watched the video records and found that Keynes never mentioned having an aunt as an elder in the Jiang family, nor did he try to force his way in.

He seemed completely unaware? Only knowing he’d hit a wall, he left angrily!

Yet now, Jiang Na frankly claimed her aunt-nephew relationship with Keynes—doesn’t she know about Keynes’s situation?

Yan Yueqing chuckled, "If destined, we shall meet."

Jiang Na paid it no mind, "Indeed, he’ll definitely be at next week’s ball."

Ball?

Seeing Yan Yueqing’s puzzlement, Jiang Na smiled charmingly, "The Young Master hardly stays home, so you might not know, it’s the ball for your coming-of-age ceremony~ On that day, the Young Master must choose someone special to continue the family’s mission of propagation!"

With that, Yan Yueqing suddenly remembered why she hadn’t wanted to return to the Jiang family.

Customs abroad are much more open than in Hua Country; selecting a husband at the coming-of-age ball, even choosing more than one...

It really gave her a headache.

Jiang Na continued laughing, "The Young Master grew up in the Hua Country and might not be familiar with the rules. The coming-of-age ceremony can be delayed but absolutely cannot be skipped! Now that you’re back, we’ll definitely dress up the Young Master beautifully that day! Princes and nobility from all over are at the Young Master’s selection~"

"Hmm, no rush, I’ve just returned and have many family matters to familiarize myself with. Hua Country is my root, my mother and grandmother have many plans for the family’s future in Hua Country that I need to study."

She deliberately directed the topic toward "Hua Country" and "family development plans," looking calmly at the elders, while her peripheral vision remained focused on the Second Elder, Jiang Wenxin’s reaction.

Great Elder Jiang Jingshu’s eyes flashed with a hint of approval.

Second Elder Jiang Wenxin’s smile remained gentle, even deepening slightly, nodding in agreement, "Connected to the roots, good."

But Yan Yueqing keenly noticed a fleeting, extremely subtle, abnormal emotion deep in her eyes, fast enough to be mistaken for an illusion.

Third Elder Jiang Su remained expressionless, but the tightly pressed corners of his lips seemed to relax by a fraction of a millimeter.

Jiang Na and Jiang Catherine slightly raised their eyebrows, blue eyes flashing a scrutinizing and disapproving look.

Obviously, as mixed-bloods, they not only care about the development of the Jiang family; the glory and resources of their husband’s and father’s families are equally things they focus on.

"Hua Country... is indeed a place full of potential." Jiang Catherine spoke in English, her tone flat, "However, the foundation of the Jiang family is already global. Future directions require a broader international vision and... realistic considerations."

"Catherine is right," Jiang Na immediately chimed in, "International vision is crucial! Our Lowell family is very willing to deepen cooperation with the Jiang family in various fields..."

A few sentences clearly expressed their somewhat unwillingness to return to Hua Country.

"Alright," Great Elder Jiang Jingshu aptly spoke up, sternly interrupting, "Xiaoxing has just returned, let her adapt first. The future direction of the family is to be decided by the Family Head, the Elder Council... is to assist accordingly."

She deliberately emphasized the word "assist," her gaze sweeping over Jiang Na and Jiang Catherine.

Jiang Yu timely joined the conversation, "Indeed. Xiaoxing, accompany me to meet other elders."

She nodded slightly to the elders, leading Yan Yueqing away from this small power center.

Walking a few steps away, Jiang Yu whispered, "Did you see? Mandarin is almost becoming a niche language. The Lowell, and a few other families have their hands stretched too far. Jiang Catherine... although she bears the surname Jiang, her heart might not be entirely with the Jiang family."

She paused, lowering her voice further, almost to an inaudible level, "...And Second Elder Jiang Wenxin, you must be careful of her."

Yan Yueqing’s heart tightened; her mother’s reminder confirmed her previous doubts.

She looked at the surrounding faces, either unfamiliar or familiar, but mostly bearing Western features, listened to the foreign languages rising and falling in the air, and felt that under the extravagant technology and luxurious enjoyment lay a cultural divide and hidden currents.

A sentence from her grandmother’s secret letter resounded in her heart: Returning to Hua Country means cutting off their connections abroad!

This is not just a family’s migration; it’s a smoke-free war!

It’s to sever those intertwined tentacles trying to thoroughly alienate and devour the Jiang family! It’s to reclaim the soul and foundation belonging to the overseas Chinese family amidst Western forces’ heavy encirclements!

And in this war, discerning friends from foes is difficult; even Second Elder Jiang Wenxin, with a smiling face, might be a hidden deadly threat, especially as she might have intricate connections with Uncle Jiang Ke’s disappearance!

She lightly squeezed her mother’s arm, feeling the firm strength through the "Star Dome Guide" fabric.

Her clear eyes under the flowing starry nebula light ignited an even stronger fire of determination than before.

Jiang Yu patted her hand, "Don’t worry about the coming-of-age ceremony. The Jiang family used to practice polyandry, but since your grandmother’s generation, even if there’s only one partner, it’s no big deal. I know your affection with Xiao Jun, I won’t force anyone on you."

"However..." She paused again, "I have no intention, but that doesn’t mean they have none. Be cautious."

"Cautious?"