The two were deep in their cultivation and didn’t notice a shadow flitting through the small forest not far from the courtyard.
“Well, well, now I understand why she refused to marry into the Wang Family. Turns out she’s been having an affair with her cousin all along!” Timothy Jiang’s expression was cold as he looked at the scene of the two cultivating together in the distant courtyard. A sneer appeared in his eyes. “If the Wang Family finds out about this, it will be quite a spectacle, won’t it?”
“But I won’t expose this just yet. I’ll wait for the critical moment to deliver a fatal blow to this bitch couple!” Timothy thought smugly, disappearing into the small forest.
…
The next day.
At the break of dawn, the entire Jiang Family residence was decorated with lanterns and streamers, bustling with excitement.
Today was the seventieth birthday of the Jiang Family’s matriarch!
Early in the morning, Terra Su leaped out of the Tempering Bath, putting on his clothes. If anyone were present, they would see his skin, smooth and flawless like jade, glistening slightly in the morning light.
“Just five more days, and the Tempering Bath will be complete!” Terra’s eyes shone brightly, brimming with confidence.
As he stepped out, he saw Sophia Xu and Emma Jiang, mother and daughter, already dressed in their finest, waiting for him outside.
“Little Terra, we’re ready.”
Beside Sophia, a servant held two boxes, clearly containing the birthday gifts Sophia and Emma had prepared for the Jiang Family matriarch.
Terra glanced at the boxes but quickly lost interest. He hadn’t prepared any gift for the matriarch, as she had never shown him any kindness in his past life. He wouldn’t waste any effort or money on her.
“Little Terra, at the banquet later…” Sophia took a deep breath, her face showing a hint of nervousness.
“Auntie, don’t worry!” Terra reassured her, “The Tianyue Academy spot rightfully belongs to Emma. No one can take it away.”
Sophia nodded, her nervousness gradually subsiding, replaced by a smile. “Let’s go!”
The three of them set off for the Jiang Family’s banquet hall.
The banquet hall was already bustling, filled with the sound of drums and gongs.
The hall was adorned with rare and precious decorations and furniture, exuding an air of opulence and luxury.
“The Wang Family Patriarch has arrived!”
“The Ye Family Patriarch has arrived!”
“The Zhou Family Patriarch has arrived!”
“The Situ Family Patriarch has arrived!”
“Wan Shopkeeper from the Precious Treasure Pavilion has arrived!”
“Liu Host from the Tianying Martial Hall has arrived!”
The Jiang Family’s steward, dressed in a festive red robe, stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, loudly announcing the arrival of each guest.
Today, the Jiang Family had truly outdone themselves. The other two major families of Clear River City, along with dozens of martial families and representatives from various forces, nearly a hundred people in total, had all come to celebrate the matriarch’s birthday.
On any other day, the combined presence of these people would be enough to shake Clear River City to its core. But today, they had all gathered to honor the Jiang Family matriarch.
“The Jiang Family has really gone all out this time. I heard they even booked the ‘Earth’ private room at the Drunk Immortal Residence, and the restaurant will personally deliver the feast.”
“That’s not all. They also invited a formal Alchemy Master from the Alchemy Guild to attend. Formal Alchemy Masters are highly respected and usually disdain attending such banquets.”
“That’s nothing. I heard a teacher from Tianyue Academy will also be present. They’re a distinguished guest from the capital.”
“The Jiang Family is really making a big show this time.”
As Terra and his group entered the banquet hall, these were the conversations they overheard.
The hall was already crowded and filled with joy.
In the center of the hall, a flower-adorned platform had been set up, with a purple-gold wooden chair placed firmly on it. Seated on the chair was the star of the day, the Jiang Family matriarch.
The matriarch wore a bright red phoenix crown and colorful robes, sitting upright and dignified. Her hair was jet black and neatly styled, with only a few wrinkles on her well-maintained face. From a distance, she looked more like a charming forty-year-old noblewoman than a seventy-year-old elder.
The matriarch of the Jiang Family was a legend in her own right. She had once been a minor concubine of the Wang Family. After marrying the old Jiang Patriarch, who emerged victorious in fierce competition to become the Jiang Family Patriarch, she rose with him, becoming the Patriarch’s wife.
Now, she enjoyed a life of luxury and had a large family with many descendants.
At this moment, Stewart Jiang and Timothy Jiang stood on either side of the matriarch, occasionally saying something to amuse her, making her laugh heartily.
Meanwhile, Otto Jiang and Robert Jiang were busy greeting guests, their faces glowing with pride.
“Second Lady, Miss Emma, Young Master Terra has arrived!”
With this loud announcement, the smiles on the faces of Otto and Robert Jiang, along with their sons, froze.
The name Terra Su was extremely grating to their ears, making them uncomfortable.
The matriarch, who had been all smiles, suddenly turned cold.
Everyone knew the matriarch never favored her two non-biological sons, Robert and Rene Jiang. Consequently, she also disliked Robert’s wife and daughter.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.
Sophia, however, was used to this. She calmly walked to the platform, gracefully curtsied to the matriarch, and said, “Daughter-in-law wishes the matriarch a long life and boundless happiness.”
The matriarch responded with a perfunctory “Hmm,” wrinkling her nose in disgust and waving her hand dismissively, “Go sit down!”
Robert Jiang chuckled, “Timothy, why don’t you escort your second aunt and cousin to their seats?”
Timothy Jiang lazily descended from the platform, rolling his eyes, “Follow me!”
He first seated Sophia at the table reserved for the Jiang Family’s direct elders, then led Emma and Terra to the table for the younger generation.
“Who’s this Young Master Terra?”
“No idea, probably some relative of the Jiang Family.”
“Shh, I’ve heard that Terra Su has exceptional martial talent, having defeated both Timothy and Stewart Jiang!”
“I heard he’s also talented in alchemy and has earned Alchemist Qian’s admiration.”
As Timothy overheard these whispers, his face grew darker. He pointed to two empty seats at the table for the younger generation and said to Terra and Emma, “Those are your seats!”
The two empty seats were right in the middle of a group of Wang Family youths, including Levi Wang.
Leave a Reply