“Jiang Ran greets Grandpa Changgeng!” Jiang Ran said calmly, then bowed three times to Jiang Changgeng with proper decorum.
“Little Ran, have a seat! Jiang Ran, what exactly is going on here?” Jiang Changgeng nodded approvingly.
Jiang Ran sat with his back straight, hands resting on his knees, presenting a dignified appearance brimming with the unique, resolute temperament of a soldier.
With neither humility nor arrogance, he said, “Grandpa, to be honest, my Third Uncle getting beaten isn’t really a big deal. It’s not like he suffered any serious injury. Besides, we’re all one family. Back then, you even sponsored my studies and military career, so I really shouldn’t make an issue of it!”
Then, his tone shifted, and he said with concern, “What worries me is Jiang Tian. He’s so reckless and impulsive. Naturally, it’s fine within the Jiang family here in Jiang Village; everyone indulges him. But out there in the real world… he’s going to suffer for it!”
“This Jiang Ran kid is truly remarkable!”
At that moment, Ninth Grand-Uncle Jiang Shouren, Jiang Yangming, and others showed looks of appreciation in their eyes.
Jiang Ran’s words were very appropriate, with no hint of aggressiveness. His perspective was also broad, yet he pinpointed the crucial issue, urging the Old Master to discipline Jiang Tian for Jiang Tian’s own development.
Jiang Changgeng slowly spoke, “Alright, call Jiang Tian over. Let’s hear what he has to say for himself!”
Jiang Lin quickly walked out and summoned Jiang Tian.
Zhang Wanqing looked extremely worried. Jiang Zhixing said quietly but sternly, “Jiang Tian, you’d better adopt a good attitude when admitting your mistakes!”
Jiang Tian stood in the hall and said calmly, “I came to wish Grandpa a happy birthday. He blocked me from entering the village and even said Qingfeng had already removed me from the family genealogy, saying I can’t use the surname Jiang.”
He looked at Jiang Qingfeng and said flatly, “Qingfeng, do you think I was right to hit him or not?”
“Qingfeng, is this true?” A sharp glint flashed deep in Jiang Changgeng’s eyes.
“Grandpa, please let me explain…” Jiang Qingfeng’s face stiffened, hatred seething in his heart.
That Jiang Daya is totally incompetent and only spoils things! How could he tell him what I said?
“Grandpa, this matter was my brother’s own decision, but it was also for the sake of the Jiang family’s development!”
Jiang Banxia sneered, “Three years ago, Jiang Tian caused a huge disaster. This time, before he’d even settled back in, he provoked Yu Qiang in Jinling over gambling on stones. If he rejoins the Jiang family now, wouldn’t that just bring trouble upon us?”
“Yeah… Wasn’t Jiang Tian expelled from the family? He should never be allowed back in!”
“Right, right, right. He’s nothing but a source of calamity. What use is him coming back?” Some younger members in the hall also spoke up.
“A useless guy like him isn’t even qualified to be a member of our Jiang family. Brother Qingfeng did the right thing!”
Another disciple sneered.
“He even dares to hit a young master from Yanjing and provoke Yu Qiang. He’s just tired of living. If he wants to die, fine, but don’t drag our Jiang family into it! He’s such a liability!”
Another disciple looked furious.
“Are you all done talking? Let this old man say a few words—”
A weak but authoritative voice rang out.
It was Jiang Changgeng speaking. The Old Master’s prestige was undeniable; everyone immediately fell silent and obeyed.
“Qingfeng, one’s surname and being listed in the genealogy are the most basic dignity of every Jiang family member.”
Jiang Changgeng’s tone started off mild, but gradually, the anger on his face grew stronger, and his voice rose higher:
“Depriving someone of that cannot be done without a family meeting. You are merely a member of the third generation. On what grounds do you deprive Jiang Tian of his surname and spout such nonsense? You worthless thing, have you lived your thirty-plus years in vain?”
Jiang Qingfeng shuddered with fear and said meekly, “Grandpa, your grandson admits his mistake!”
Jiang Changgeng’s anger didn’t subside. His voice cold, he said, “Jiang Village is the root of our Jiang family. Today, based on your personal likes and dislikes, you barred Jiang Tian from entering. One day, someone else might dare to bar a wretch like you from entering! Now, I doubt whether someone with such a narrow mind and vision like yours is even capable of controlling the Medicine King Group!”
“… ” Jiang Qingfeng was covered in cold sweat, feeling extremely uneasy.
What has Jiang Tian done to deserve the Old Master protecting him like this, even starting to question my abilities?
Everyone present was stunned, never expecting the Old Master to show such protection for Jiang Tian.
Many Jiang family members frowned deeply, shaking their heads and sighing, feeling that Jiang Changgeng was being far too biased.
“Grandpa, how can you be so partial?”
Jiang Banxia was very pretty and used to being spoiled. Seeing her brother publicly reprimanded, she felt wronged and said plaintively:
“Just based on Jiang Tian hitting that Yanjing young master and causing that huge disaster, he is unforgivable!”
“Back then, Grandpa punished him too lightly and indulged him, which fostered his arrogant and disrespectful personality. Just a few days ago, he provoked Yu Qiang again!”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhixing and his wife’s expressions stiffened, their eyes filled with worry.
This was Jiang Tian’s weak spot, an unchangeable fact forever.
Many Jiang family members looked at Jiang Tian with cold eyes, gloating and shaking their heads disdainfully.
This stain, you’ll never be able to wash clean. Every time it’s brought up, you’ll have to admit fault and back down.
For a moment, the hall was dead silent.
Everyone turned to look at the Old Master, waiting to see what he would say.
“This matter has been over for three years. I’ve never discussed it directly, but today, I want to speak my mind!”
A flicker of anger appeared on Jiang Changgeng’s face as he said in a hoarse voice.
Many people perked up their ears, their eyes gleaming with excitement, watching Jiang Tian with schadenfreude, anticipating Jiang Changgeng severely punishing him.
“If Jiang Tian is guilty, then everyone present here is guilty!”
“And I, Jiang Changgeng, am even more unforgivable, deserving death to atone to the ancestors of the Jiang family!”
Jiang Changgeng’s words made everyone’s expressions change drastically; they broke out in a cold sweat from shock.
“Dad, today is your birthday. How can you say such inauspicious things?”
“Jiang Tian, look what you’ve done! You’ve made the Old Master talk nonsense!”
Jiang Shouren, Jiang Yangming, and others looked extremely anxious, all standing up to console the Old Master.
Jiang Changgeng closed his eyes, a myriad of complex emotions flashing across his face. He remained silent for a long time, seemingly recalling that day three years ago.
“I’m not talking nonsense!”
Jiang Changgeng calmed down again, waving his hand to signal everyone to sit.
After everyone had retaken their seats, Jiang Changgeng slowly said, “That family in Yanjing wanted to break off the engagement, not because of Jiang Tian personally, but because they believed our Jiang family was not worthy of their family!”
“If the Jiang family were ten times stronger, if we could rank among the top families in China, even if Jiang Tian were crippled, useless, or an idiot, they would still eagerly curry favor with us and happily go through with the wedding, not break it off with Jiang Tian!”
Hearing this, everyone’s faces flushed, their hearts pounding with shock.
“I still remember the day they came to break off the engagement. They were so domineering, so arrogant, looking down on everyone from their high horse, treating our Jiang family like ants and specks of dust, extremely haughty.”
“And you… all of you acted servile, bowing your heads admitting fault, apologizing to them!”
Jiang Changgeng slammed the table and roared, “Let me ask you, what crime did our Jiang family commit? They were the ones who broke their promise, they were the ones who tore up the engagement contract, they were the ones who showed no respect for their elders! I ask you, where was your dignity? Where was your courage?”
Jiang Shouren’s plump face was covered in cold sweat; Jiang Yangming also hung his head, his face full of shame.
“When they proposed breaking the engagement, Jiang Tian didn’t really care at all. It was only when one of that so-called Yanjing young master’s attendants dared disrespectfully call me ‘Old Jiang’ and asked if I was spicier than garlic… that Jiang Tian took action!”
Jiang Changgeng was silent for a moment, then sighed bitterly, his face full of pain, and said, “But, unfortunately, at that time, only Jiang Tian fought for the family’s honor! Perhaps you think his actions back then were very childish, but in my eyes, at the very least, he showed his stance! He didn’t lose a man’s mettle, he didn’t lose his courage, he didn’t lose the unyielding pride of a fine son of our Jiang family!”
Everyone was stunned, unable to believe it.
They had always thought the Old Master’s temperament was very gentle and indifferent; who knew there was a heroic heart hidden deep inside?
There was even a trace of… fierce spirit.
So this is probably Grandpa’s true face, I suppose. Saintly within, kingly without. Able to cultivate his heart and mind, yet also harboring the ambition to govern the state and pacify the world.
Only Jiang Tian had a flash of understanding in his heart. I should have come back to see Grandpa sooner…
Jiang Changgeng slowly took a sip of tea, a glint of sharp light bursting from his eyes, and said calmly, “As the head of the family, I couldn’t lay a hand on a junior! But at that time, I really, really wanted to slap him!”
“Now, regarding that incident three years ago, I want to give Jiang Tian an objective and fair evaluation – you didn’t hit him well enough. Weren’t there chairs and bricks around? Why didn’t you use a brick? Why use your hand?”
As he said this, he squinted his eyes and gave a mischievous smile, with a hint of cunning.
The Old Master’s words hit the nail on the head, incisively.
Jiang Zhixing, his wife, and Jiang Lin all deeply agreed, feeling as if they had been suddenly enlightened.
But most people had long lost their fighting spirit and firmness of character; they simply couldn’t agree with the Old Master’s words.
“Alas, this world, after all, runs on strength. How much is dignity really worth?”
“Jiang Tian did things that way. Sure, he felt impressive, and the Jiang family didn’t look so disgraced at the time. But now… the harm lingers on, and the Jiang family is surrounded by enemies!”
“Jiang Tian is just a playboy. How could he have thought so much back then? Fighting for family honor? Come on! He just likes to brawl!”
“Grandpa is way too protective of him! Just watch, he’ll only get crazier and crazier, and he’ll end up destroying himself sooner or later!”
Many people murmured such things, feeling even more unconvinced, dissatisfied, and dislike towards Jiang Tian.
Seeing the atmosphere turn a bit cold, Ninth Grand-Uncle, holding his cane with both hands, smiled kindly and said in a low, hoarse voice:
“Changgeng, today is your seventieth birthday, a day for joy. Don’t scold the children so harshly. Making them all jittery and timid isn’t good. I think we should just move on to the next part! Let the younger generation kowtow and present their birthday gifts!”
Upon hearing this, many people were still smiling, but their eyes turned serious as they exchanged glances.
The annual gift presentation by the younger generation was always crucial; it was a time to showcase the children’s achievements, and everyone vied to outdo each other.
“They’re all grown up; we can skip the kowtowing!”
Jiang Changgeng regained some of his kindliness, smiled, and said, “Hurry up and bring the gifts you’ve prepared. Let’s go through the motions quickly, then we can start the feast and not let everyone go hungry.”
“Wishing Grandpa good fortune like the Eastern Sea, and longevity like the Southern Mountain!”
Jiang Chao was the first to stand up, kneel on the ground, and thump, thump, thump, he gave three genuine, solid kowtows. Then, he took a gift box respectfully from his Second Uncle’s hands and said, “Grandpa, please take a look!”
