I Am Already A Queen

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Ask Jiang Couple Directly

”Ah... It is quite a painful and embarrassing topic for our family.” Feng Lan sighed softly, putting on a heartbroken, sorrowful expression reminiscent of a grieving mother. ”We truly thought we were keeping her safe when we placed her in the countryside during those turbulent years. We never imagined that the caretakers we entrusted her to would neglect their duties so terribly, leading to her going missing.”

”Indeed. We searched tirelessly for her over the years and never lost hope.” Jiang Lukang chimed in right on cue, flawlessly supporting his wife’s fabricated narrative. ”Words cannot describe our gratitude when we finally located her and brought her back. After all those lost years, our only desire now is to make it up to her and spoil her as much as we possibly can.”

It was a necessary performance. They could not afford to let the high-society circle suspect that they held any disdain for the daughter they had publicly acknowledged. If rumours began spreading that the Jiang family was mistreating their biological child, the fallout would damage their corporate standing and invite endless malicious gossip.

”I see...” Ma Yuntan responded, nodding slowly as she absorbed the story.

In reality, Ma Yuntan was Han Mengyu’s older cousin. Recently, Han Mengyu had shared quite a few details regarding the Jiang family’s long-lost daughter, Qiao Meixia, as well as their other daughter, Jiang Yanna.

According to Han Mengyu, Jiang Yanna frequently put on a delicate, innocent act whenever Qiao Meixia was present, playing the martyr in front of onlookers. Han Mengyu had also brought up the absurd public claim that the two girls were biological twins, noting that Qiao Meixia appeared completely indifferent to the narrative.

The more Ma Yuntan heard about the dynamic, the more she sensed that there was a far deeper story buried beneath the surface. The official details simply failed to add up, and she could not help wondering what the Jiang family was desperately trying to conceal.

Thus, she seized this opportunity to probe the couple directly.

”So... are the two girls truly biological twins?” Ma Yuntan asked casually.

Jiang Lukang and Feng Lan visibly stiffened for a fraction of a second upon hearing the question. However, being seasoned socialites, they instantly suppressed their reactions before anyone else could catch the slip.

”Of course.” Jiang Lukang declared with absolute confidence. ”They are both my biological daughters, born as twins.”

Feng Lan offered a firm nod beside him, silently endorsing his statement.

”I see...” Ma Yuntan smiled politely, though deep suspicion remained in her mind.

”Well, we ought to go pay our respects to the other guests as well. Please, enjoy the banquet.” Su Qingyang interjected smoothly, gently guiding his wife away before she could press the delicate matter any further.

After Su Qingyang and Ma Yuntan had walked a short distance away from Jiang Lukang and Feng Lan, Su Qingyang finally turned to his wife and spoke in a low voice.

”Why did you have to bring up something so delicate?” Su Qingyang asked, shaking his head slightly.

”I have been hearing various rumours about their family lately. So, I figured it was far better to ask the parties involved directly rather than rely on wild assumptions or endless speculation. Am I wrong?” Ma Yuntan defended smoothly.

Su Qingyang fell silent upon hearing his wife’s reasoning. In truth, she was entirely right that one should not rely on baseless gossip without verifying the truth. However, throwing such a sensitive question directly into their faces, especially in the middle of a high-society banquet, was hardly appropriate either.

”Well, let’s just drop the subject entirely. Whatever is happening is their family’s private business, and we have zero need to meddle in it.” Su Qingyang concluded after a moment’s thought.

”I understand.” Ma Yuntan agreed with a quiet nod.

Meanwhile, Jiang Lukang and Feng Lan continued making their rounds across the grand banquet hall, greeting various distinguished guests and exchanging polite pleasantries. Quite a few attendees harboured similar curiosity regarding their sudden family developments, attempting to probe the couple just as Ma Yuntan had done.

However, Jiang Lukang and Feng Lan simply reiterated the exact same rehearsed narrative they had crafted beforehand to smoothly deflect any probing questions. Maintaining seamless, practised smiles, they acted as though everything was perfectly harmonious, refusing to allow a single soul to suspect that there was a deeper, far darker truth behind their official statement.

Once the lavish banquet concluded, Jiang Lukang and Feng Lan finally made their exit from the venue. Settling into the private back seat of their luxury sedan, away from the watchful eyes and sharp ears of the other guests, they could finally drop their facades and speak freely.

”Husband, a noticeable number of guests seemed unusually fixated on our family affairs tonight. Some of them even looked entirely unconvinced by the story we put together.” Feng Lan noted, her brows furrowing in genuine concern.

She was terrified that someone might eventually uncover the truth behind the switch. If that secret ever leaked, it would severely tarnish Jiang Yanna’s social standing, and she could not bear the thought of her precious daughter being looked down upon by the upper class.

”That girl has only just been brought back into the fold, which is why everyone is still fixated on her and asking endless questions. Just give it a few months, and the public interest will naturally die down. By then, the social circle will have found a fresh scandal to gossip about.” Jiang Lukang stated with absolute composure.

”I suppose you are right.” Feng Lan sighed, nodding in agreement.

”Make sure to remind Meixia that she is strictly forbidden from revealing the true details to anyone.” Jiang Lukang added, reiterating their most critical directive.

”That girl... I honestly find it impossible to speak with her face-to-face. I don’t know what it is, but the moment I lay eyes on her, I can barely contain my irritation.” Feng Lan confessed, her face twisting in sheer frustration.

She genuinely could not comprehend why she felt such visceral annoyance whenever she was around Qiao Meixia. Even when the girl remained completely silent and did nothing to actively provoke her, Feng Lan still found it nearly impossible to maintain her temper.

”Then force yourself to learn some patience around her. We still need her cooperation to successfully secure the marriage alliance with the Yin Family. If you push her too hard and she runs away from home, Yanna will be the one forced to marry into the Yin household instead.” Jiang Lukang warned his wife, his tone turning icy.

”No! Absolutely not... You can’t possibly force our Yanna to marry that cripple!” Feng Lan interrupted frantically, her voice rising at the horrifying prospect.

She could never allow her beloved daughter to be bound to a crippled man. To make matters worse, dark rumours circulated throughout high society alleging that the master of the Yin family was mentally unhinged and routinely abused the servants within his residence. If Jiang Yanna were forced into that union, Feng Lan was certain her daughter’s life would be completely ruined. How could she ever sit back and let her precious child suffer such a miserable fate?

”In that case, learn to get along with Meixia. Stop doing anything that might drive her to sever ties with this family.” Jiang Lukang reminded her sternly.

”Fine... I understand.” Feng Lan replied through tightly gritted teeth.

Even though she voiced her agreement, the mere thought of having to tolerate Qiao Meixia’s presence made her stomach turn. Nevertheless, she recognised the cold logic in Jiang Lukang’s warning. If they wanted to keep Qiao Meixia anchored to the family long enough to finalise the marriage contract, they could not afford to push the girl over the edge.

Shortly after, their sedan pulled through the gates of the Jiang Residence.

Butler Jun was already waiting in the foyer, stepping forward the moment they entered the grand doors.

”Welcome home, Master and Madam.” Butler Jun greeted them with a respectful bow.

”Is everyone back in the house?” Feng Lan inquired, glancing around the quiet hall.

”Yes, Madam. Everyone has returned and retired to their respective room.” Butler Jun reported smoothly.

”Hmm,” Feng Lan acknowledged indifferently.

”Is Meixia back as well?” Jiang Lukang asked suddenly.

He had only just recalled that Qiao Meixia had not slept at the residence for the past two days. When he had questioned her absence earlier, Jiang Suhan had merely informed him that she was staying over at a friend’s place.

”Yes, Master. Young Miss Meixia returned earlier this evening and had dinner alongside Eldest Young Master and Young Miss Yanna.” Butler Jun provided.

”Good,” Jiang Lukang nodded, satisfied with the report.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***