Chapter 224: Chapter 224: An Identity That Can’t Be Shown Publicly Chapter 224: Chapter 224: An Identity That Can’t Be Shown Publicly Liang Jinlan knew she couldn’t escape responsibility, “I, I didn’t mean for them to hurt Jiang Zhe, I just wanted to drive Jiang Zhe away…”

But she indeed had told the security guards to use any means necessary, even if it meant injuring Jiang Zhe to get rid of him.

Once she said this, everyone knew that they had indeed done it!

Everyone immediately felt it was too much!

How could she arrange for security to harm the daughter she had once raised with a dagger in hand when that person hadn’t done anything to provoke such a response!

This was a complete disregard for the law!

Nobody would have thought that this mother and daughter, who appeared so elegant and generous on the outside, were actually like this at heart!

Jiang Xiliang was furious, “How could you do such a thing! Get them out of here!”

“I did it, Fanyue didn’t know anything…” Liang Jinlan blurted out in desperation.

Now that Jiang Fanyue was also Jiang Yaowang’s biological granddaughter, Liang Jinlan did not want Jiang Fanyue to be implicated. As long as Jiang Fanyue still had a chance, she herself would have one too.

Otherwise, both would be driven away.

Jiang Fanyue also started crying pitifully, “Mom, how could you do this to sister? I’ve been telling you, be nicer to her…”

In such a situation, Jiang Xiliang could only drive away Liang Jinlan.

“Jiang Zhe, I never expected things to turn out this way, I apologize on behalf of Mom, please accept it,” Jiang Fanyue swiftly changed her demeanor upon seeing the unfavorable turn of events, immediately adopting a low tone.

Jiang Xiliang followed with, “Jiang Zhe, I also apologize to you, I’m sorry.”

“Indeed, you should apologize, Minister Jiang. My cousin’s face was slashed by your security. Your lack of strict management over your security indeed owes us an apology.”

The person Jiang Zhe was pointing to was Xia Enci.

Xia Enci had been silent all this time, and everyone had failed to notice her.

Only now did they see the injury on her face, which had been treated, but judging from the blood on her clothes, it was a serious wound.

Xia Enci had been sitting quietly in a corner with Xiao Meng, and Jiang Xiruo hadn’t noticed her. Now seeing her daughter injured like this, she immediately felt distress, “Enci, why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“Mom, I’m fine now,” Xia Enci’s wound no longer hurt, especially with Jiang Zhe having treated it, so she wasn’t worried.

Seeing that Xia Enci was actually Jiang Xiruo’s daughter, meaning she was Jiang Yaowang’s granddaughter from outside the family, everyone was shocked once more, realizing that Liang Jinlan had seriously messed up this time.

Jiang Fanyue was even more terrified. She had been the most estranged from this so-called cousin, and now she deeply regretted it, but alas, it was too late for second chances.

“Xi Ruo, don’t worry. I’ll have a doctor come immediately to see Enci,” Jiang Xiliang instructed the butler to call for a doctor.

It was then that everyone understood why Jiang Zhe had burst in directly earlier and slapped Jiang Fanyue and Liang Jinlan; it wasn’t for personal gain or solely aimed at Jiang Fanyue!

It was because the security arranged by Liang Jinlan had hurt Xia Enci, igniting Jiang Zhe’s rage!

Under such circumstances, who wouldn’t be angry!

Jiang Zhe said to Jiang Xiruo, “Aunt, Enci’s injury is no problem, there won’t be any scars, rest assured.”

“Such a deep wound…” Jiang Xiruo was very hesitant.

But then she recalled that Jiang Zhe had treated the wound and seemed to feel there was no need to worry anymore.

Although she had not personally witnessed Jiang Zhe’s medical skills, she had heard about them and knew they were extraordinary.

Jiang Fanyue walked up to Xia Enci, steeled her heart, and apologized, “Aunt Xi Ruo, Enci, I apologize for my mother.”

Having previously seen the two of them regard each other with cold eyes, now that she knew their identities, Jiang Fanyue quickly changed her attitude—something Jiang Xiruo had long seen through in Jiang Fanyue’s character.

If she had an ounce of backbone left, even now, Jiang Xiruo would still think highly of her.

Now, there’s absolutely no need to bother with her anymore.

The others also joined in with words of apology. Seeing that things had nearly calmed down, Jiang Xiliang said, “Great-uncle, it has been a long time since you’ve been back, let me reintroduce everyone for you.”

“Alright,” Jiang Yaowang nodded.

“This is Ding Xuexue, the daughter of Jiang Cheng and Ding Yuehua.”

When Jiang Yaowang left back then, Jiang Cheng and Ding Yuehua had just gotten married and did not have a daughter yet.

Later on, they had their daughter, Ding Xuexue.

Jiang Yaowang was aware of these matters behind the scenes, but officially, Jiang Xiliang still needed to clarify the situation for him.

“Grandfather.” Ding Xuexue greeted Jiang Yaowang again.

She was graceful and elegant, loved by all in the Ding Family as their only daughter, always bright and charming.

Jiang Yaowang nodded in contentment, “Good child.”

“Dad, now that you’re back, Yuehua and I will often come over to visit and show our filial respect,” Jiang Cheng said.

Jiang Yaowang replied evenly, “Jiang Cheng, Yuehua, Xiaozhe is your brother Hanwen’s daughter. Enci is Xiruo’s daughter. There’s also Huaiyuan, the son of your eldest sister.”

The family exchanged simple greetings and made each other’s acquaintance.

Ding Yuehua was a bit embarrassed at the moment; she had been targeting Jiang Zhe earlier, and now realizing she was innocent, she awkwardly smiled at Jiang Zhe.

However, deep down, she still didn’t think highly of Jiang Zhe.

Among all the people present, only Jiang Fanyue had the most distant relationship with them, unless she claimed kin in front of everyone.

But just now, she had belittled Jiang Yaowang and Jiang Xiruo in front of so many wealthy and influential ladies.

At this point, even if she had thick skin, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to bring up old times.

Ding Yuehua sized up Jiang Fanyue and said, “This is…”

Wen Xia had to step forward and say, “This is the daughter of Jiang Zhang.”

“Ah, I remember Jiang Zhang is your family’s…”

The words “illegitimate child” remained unspoken by Ding Yuehua.

Originally, because Jiang Zhang was Jiang Xiliang’s half-brother without an official status, he wasn’t notable enough to appear in public.

Later, it was only after Jiang Xiliang regarded them more favorably that people stopped mentioning his status.

At Ding Yuehua’s words, Jiang Fanyue’s face burned with shame and embarrassment, with nowhere to hide, wishing the ground would swallow her up.

After asking, Ding Yuehua did not say more and didn’t even glance at Jiang Fanyue again.

If she looked down on Jiang Zhe, she saw Jiang Fanyue as a disgrace to the family’s reputation.

Jiang Fanyue stood there awkwardly, yet she also didn’t leave immediately.

At this moment, Han Jiayan, standing to the side, was filled with a faint regret. If only she had known Jiang Yaowang’s status earlier, why would she have bothered to arrange a marriage with Jiang Zhang?

Now it was quite evident that Jiang Yaowang disdained Jiang Fanyue, leaving an uncertain future.

Ding Yuehua said to her daughter, “Xuexue, present your gift to grandfather.”

Ding Xuexue immediately handed over her brocade box, “Grandfather, I’ve selected a piece of calligraphy and painting to give you, I hope you will like it.”

“Grandfather likes it,” Jiang Yaowang said with a smile as he accepted and opened it to give it a look, “This piece of calligraphy and painting… is an authentic work of Liu Zongyuan!”