Chapter 14: The Qi Family Fortune? Hand It Over!

The next day, Jiang Luan rose early to run drills and stretch in the courtyard. After working up a sweat, he felt as though he had truly come back to life.

He washed up briefly, changed his clothes, and was just about to head to the main hall for a meal when Zuo Lang ran in and whispered something into his ear. Jiang Luan pondered for a moment before turning back into the small kitchen. After a while, he emerged, gave Zuo Lang a few instructions, and arrived at the main hall somewhat late.

The Qi family’s main hall remained the same as always—sparsely populated. At breakfast time, one could rarely find the Qi family’s "foolish" young master. Qi Tianxing was off recuperating somewhere, and Qi Shaoyan never joined the table. At this moment, the family patriarch, Qi Yuheng, sat at the head of the table, flanked by Prince Suping and Madam Zhou. Beside the Prince sat a boy of thirteen or fourteen; Qi Shaokang was nowhere to be seen.

Before Jiang Luan entered, the group was chatting merrily. The young boy seemed to have told a joke that made the old man laugh heartily, leading him to nod frequently at the youth. The moment Jiang Luan stepped through the door, the laughter in the room abruptly ceased.

"Grandfather, Luan is late." Jiang Luan bowed slightly.

Madam Zhou immediately beckoned him over to sit, taking his hand with feigned warmth. "I haven't seen you for quite a few days. I heard from my sister-in-law that you were ill—why didn't you say anything? How are you feeling now? Are you still taking medicine?"

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt. I am quite well now."

Jiang Luan was polite in his speech, but he rolled his eyes internally. They hadn't asked about him for days; it seemed the family had very little genuine affection for this son-in-law who had married into the household.

Upon seeing Jiang Luan, Qi Yuheng reverted to his usual stern, humorless demeanor and gave a slight nod. "As long as you are well. Let us eat."

"Grandfather, wait a moment," the boy interrupted. "I waited a long time for Little Sister-in-law, and eating in such a rush might be bad for your health. Shaoyang prepared ginseng soup for you; why don't you have some soup before the meal?"

Qi Yuheng smiled brightly. "I am blessed by my grandson. Ever since Shaoyang arrived, I’ve been able to have ginseng soup every day."

This boy was Prince Suping’s only son, Qi Shaoyang. His features were unremarkable, but he possessed a charming, baby-faced look that elders typically loved. However, his words were pointed. If he wanted to provide soup, he could have simply done so, but by dragging Jiang Luan into it, he was implicitly blaming him for being late and endangering the old man’s health—a malicious intent indeed.

Jiang Luan glanced at Qi Shaoyang. The boy gave him a provocative look, arched his eyebrows, and went off to fetch the soup.

Madam Zhou praised, "Shaoyang is so diligent in his studies, and yet he is still so filial. He is much better than Shaokang."

"Hardly. Shaokang is also quite good; I hear he will be participating in the provincial examinations soon. Shaoyang still has a long way to go," Prince Suping said, feeling flattered and offering some customary modesty. "But this child is truly filial. He prepares the ginseng soup with his own hands; he won't even let us help."

With that, Qi Shaoyang placed the ginseng soup squarely in front of Qi Yuheng. "Grandfather, please enjoy."

"Good, good," Qi Yuheng beamed. He took a single spoonful, touched it to his lips, and set the spoon aside.

The others didn't pay much mind, assuming the old patriarch was simply tired of the daily ginseng soup, and that the gesture was what mattered. As everyone prepared to pick up their chopsticks, Prince Suping said with a smile, "Our Qi family is truly blessed to have descendants turning out so outstandingly..."

Everyone put their chopsticks down again to listen to the Prince. Jiang Luan sipped his tea unhurriedly, waiting for him to stir up trouble.

"Shaokang is already a scholar and will be able to serve the Emperor after he travels to the capital for the imperial examinations," Prince Suping continued. "I also urge Shaoyang to work hard every day to prepare for this year's provincial examinations. He has finished most of his studies, but it is a pity about Shaolin..."

Here it comes again. Even on ordinary days, Prince Suping would belittle the eldest grandson both openly and covertly. Qi Yuheng’s expression soured at the mention of the name. Just as he set down his chopsticks to interject, someone nearby let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Ah!"

Jiang Luan looked utterly listless.

Although Prince Suping intended to prick at Qi Shaolin and his wife, he hadn't expected Jiang Luan to show his displeasure so openly, and he found himself momentarily unable to continue.

"Little Jiang, what is the matter?" Qi Yuheng asked, knowing the answer.

"Grandfather, Luan feels troubled," Jiang Luan said bluntly.

Seeing him actually say it, Prince Suping felt a sudden awkwardness. Madam Zhou began her habitual attempt to smooth things over. "Luan, actually, what your uncle meant was..."

"Actually, Luan also prepared soup for Grandfather, which is why I was late," Jiang Luan said, ignoring her. "I didn't expect Brother Yang to have prepared soup as well. My own efforts suddenly felt too embarrassing to present, which is why I am sad." He turned to Prince Suping. "I am blunt and cannot keep things to myself; I hope the Prince will not take offense."

Prince Suping: "..."

Qi Yuheng laughed heartily. "What is there to be embarrassed about? Since it is your heart's intent, how could I refuse? Bring it out quickly."

Jiang Luan smiled. "I brewed it myself. The taste might not be great, so Grandfather, please don't mind!" He clapped his hands toward the door. "Bring it in."

The person who entered was Zuo Lang. Despite his small stature, he carried a large tray that seemed disproportionate to his size, which held a large basin of soup. Madam Zhou couldn't help but let out a surprised sound. Qi Shaoyang sneered coldly and whispered, "Is this fellow trying to stuff Grandfather to death?"

Jiang Luan didn't pay him any mind and had Zuo Lang place the basin in the center of the table. When the lid was lifted, it revealed a basin of pork trotter soup with ginseng. The broth was rich, and the aroma was overflowing. However, the size of the basin... compared to the exquisite small bowl Qi Shaoyang had brought, it looked comically large, and the quality of the ginseng didn't look nearly as good. It was no wonder Jiang Luan was embarrassed to bring it out.

Prince Suping looked once and felt reassured, sneering as he waited to see Jiang Luan make a fool of himself.

"Little Jiang, this..." Qi Yuheng began.

"Oh, Grandfather," Jiang Luan said with a smile, "this is for the Prince and my Aunt. Yours hasn't arrived yet!" He shouted toward the door again, "Qiuli."

"Yes, Young Madam!" Qiuli entered, holding a small, exquisite soup bowl, and handed it to Jiang Luan.

"You really are full of tricks, Little Jiang," Qi Yuheng said, shaking his head with a smile. "Why must one pot of soup be served in two different vessels?"

"Oh, it's different." Jiang Luan carefully placed the bowl in front of Qi Yuheng and opened the lid. The broth inside was a deep green with specks of snow-white, rich in content, but clearly not ginseng soup.

"This is..."

"Seaweed soup," Jiang Luan said.

The hall fell silent again. Qi Shaoyang, that little brat, let out a scoff. Jiang Luan knew what he was laughing at. He had prepared precious ginseng soup for the Prince and Madam Zhou, but for the patriarch, it was merely seaweed soup, a common dish found in any household. How could it not be laughable?

But Qi Yuheng didn't say anything. He took a spoonful and tasted it, frowning slightly. "The taste is good... but it seems different from ordinary seaweed soup?"

"It is a recipe from my hometown," Jiang Luan said. "Besides seaweed, I added dried shrimp, tofu, mushrooms, and other things. It seems different from local habits; I wasn't sure if it would suit your palate, Grandfather."

Qi Yuheng hummed, lifted the small bowl, and drank it all in one go. His attitude was starkly different from how he had treated Qi Shaoyang's bowl of ginseng soup, leaving everyone stunned.

Jiang Luan turned and returned to his seat. He knew Qi Yuheng would like it. He had cooked for over a hundred brats in the past, all of whom were picky eaters; his culinary skills had been forged in the fire.

Qi Yuheng gestured at him from across the table. "You rascal, how did you know I’ve been feeling unwell lately and shouldn't be drinking ginseng soup?"

Qi Shaoyang looked up abruptly at the mention of this.

Jiang Luan replied, "That day I saw you collapse from a surge of energy to the heart, I was very worried. I asked the doctor and heard that seaweed soup is beneficial for your body and improves cold resistance, so I learned how to make it."

In truth, this was complete nonsense. Jiang Luan hadn't asked anyone anything. It was simply that most old men of this age suffered from conditions like hypertension. Qi Yuheng was the head of a wealthy family, eating rich foods and living a sedentary life, which likely meant he had high cholesterol. He needed something light; seaweed soup also had the effect of lowering blood pressure and lipids. When Zuo Lang told him this morning that Prince Suping had servants boiling ginseng soup in the kitchen, Jiang Luan had realized this.

"While ginseng is nourishing, one must not take it indiscriminately. Brother Yang meant well but did harm," Jiang Luan said, smiling at Prince Suping. "Medicine and food share the same origin; that is how it is."

Prince Suping’s pale face darkened instantly. Qi Shaoyang bit down on his chopsticks until they creaked, glaring fiercely at Jiang Luan. Their carefully prepared efforts, when set against Jiang Luan's, now appeared remarkably "thoughtless."

Qi Yuheng nodded. "Little Jiang has a heart. Let's eat."

Zuo Lang and Qiuli stepped forward to serve the others the pork trotter soup. Madam Zhou drank several bowls and wiped her lips with a handkerchief. "It is truly excellent. Luan, you really have hidden talents."

"You flatter me," Jiang Luan said with a smile. "I won't be modest with you, Aunt—in my case, my culinary skills are the least of my talents. Accounting and business—that is where I truly excel."

The people at the table nearly choked. Qi Shaoyang stared at him with an expression that seemed to say, *How can someone be so shameless as to praise himself?*

Jiang Luan, however, remained perfectly natural. *You people spend all day flattering each other,* he thought. *Since no one is praising me, I might as well praise myself.*

"Grandfather, I have had something on my mind that I must get off my chest. May I speak freely?" Jiang Luan turned to Qi Yuheng.

Qi Yuheng paused. "Speak."

"It is nothing major," Jiang Luan smiled. "The Prince works hard managing the family business, and I worry about it so much that I cannot eat or sleep. I know that the Qi family business will eventually pass to Shaolin. Might I have the honor of assisting from the sidelines to familiarize myself with it in advance?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Suping couldn't help himself; he slammed his chopsticks onto the table and glared at Jiang Luan. What was it he cared about most? The Qi family’s fortune! Not only had this brat been insufferably arrogant since he entered the house, but now he was actually daring to reach for the family’s legacy!

Jiang Luan ignored the Prince’s glare and met Qi Yuheng’s eyes with a smile.

Qi Yuheng slowly set down his bowl and chopsticks and squinted. *A clever brat,* he thought. *Bringing soup and offering favors—so this is where he was leading me?*