When Tian Jing slowly arrived at the reception room, the elder and second masters of the Xiao family proposed to take their leave.
Tian Jing waved dismissively, "Farewell."
As soon as the Xiao family members stepped out of the east wing, Xiao Wei eagerly headed to the dining room.
Xu Ma, who was tidying the dining table, saw her young lady enter and quickly brought her the leftover food.
"This was saved for you by the young lady early on. She still has you in her heart."
Xiao Wei paused for a second, then waved her hand, "Anyone can do superficial things. Don't mention her to me; she was born to be a troublemaker."
Xu Ma sighed, she could foresee her young lady's fate.
A woman in her forties who had been married and divorced four times, if she couldn't maintain a good relationship with her only daughter, who would she rely on when she got old?
Xiao Wei took a bite of the food and couldn't find the taste of the congee from that morning. "Why is it missing some flavor compared to this morning's congee?"
Xu Ma then realized that there were no vegetables in the dishes left for her young lady.
Alas~
"I didn't notice. Perhaps it's because you were too hungry this morning?"
"Perhaps, but this cook's culinary skills are indeed better than yours."
Xu Ma...
In the east wing, Tian Jing stood by the tall bonsai behind the grand armchair and quickly turned to the east room.
Grandpa Xiao was taken aback by the question. "I know your name is Jingjing, but I don't know what your surname is on your household registration. Given the circumstances back then, I don't believe that peasant family would have let you keep the surname Chen."
"So, the registered owner is Chen Jing, and I added a note stating she is the eldest daughter born to Xiao Wei and Chen Yaoming."
Tian Jing gave her grandfather a thumbs-up. "Grandpa, you're the best. You're just too kind and unwilling to scheme. Otherwise, what business would the Xiao family and those two brothers have?"
Grandpa Xiao shook his head. "I don't deserve the word 'kind'. Do you think I haven't considered it during the twenty-plus years I was squeezed out by them overseas?"
"I've thought about it countless times, but my mother's dying wish was that my father was her benefactor, and no matter what, I was never to turn against his side."
"As soon as we got overseas, my father apologized to me. He knew I was sentimental and couldn't bear to leave my homeland. It was he who fled the country first, which forced me to leave as well."
"Facing such a father, I couldn't bring myself to target him. He had no choice but to flee overseas. If he didn't escape, the fortune built by the Xiao family ancestors would have been confiscated."
"Later, when he was critically ill, he told me that once his eyes closed, he would have considered it his duty to protect the ancestral property."
"As for whether his sons could keep it, that was irrelevant to him. And in whose hands it ended up, was also irrelevant."
"He understood me, and I understood him. He was very tired, guarding such a vast estate was exhausting. Even though only a tenth was taken overseas, the balancing act required between his sons' disputes had worn him out."
"Later, during the division of the property, Xiao Lirong and Xiao Lihua almost came to blows by his sickbed."
"Seeing my father's heartache, and then recalling how my maternal grandfather, a fifth-rank official, couldn't even protect his wife's eighteen chests of dowry. My heart found peace."
"I voluntarily gave up my inheritance rights, only asking for my own residence and this siheyuan. The two brothers immediately shook hands and reached a six-four split agreement."
"My father looked disappointed. He wasn't disappointed that the two brothers had staged a show to force me to concede, but that the family fortune he had painstakingly guarded was being divided."
"Because once divided into two parts, it would continue to be divided, and divided, and divided..."
"In front of those two brothers, my father left me his private savings and warned them that if they caused more trouble, he would change his will."
"It was because of this that I didn't end up starving while guarding a building."
"Actually, I had tried my hand at business, but those two brothers deliberately caused trouble everywhere, even spending money to ruin my business. I couldn't bear to see others benefit unfairly and be laughed at, so I settled for staying at home and living idly."
"After my father passed away, those two brothers still guarded against me making a comeback. I was also tired of it all. A modest fortune and contentment is the most comfortable way of life."
Tian Jing hadn't expected her grandfather to reveal such painful helplessness. She quickly changed the subject.
"Once they are dealt with, will you come back with me? It will be simpler and more peaceful there."
"Alright."
This time, Grandpa Xiao did not hesitate. "The vegetables in the garden are growing so well, it gives me a sense of pride. And with the matters I've been concerned about resolved, I have no further worries."
Tian Jing raised an eyebrow. "You truly believe I've resolved it?"
"I do. It was always intended for your descendants to inherit it. No matter where you've moved it, I'm not worried."
He had no doubt about his granddaughter's martial prowess and his grandson-in-law's familiarity with the capital's affairs. He was confident that this couple could move things without issue.
Before dinner, Grandpa Xiao handed the prepared items to his granddaughter in front of his daughter.
"Tiantian, here are the house deeds and land titles. Take good care of them."
"Wait a moment."
No one paid any attention to Xiao Wei's words.
Grandpa Xiao gave them, and Tian Jing accepted them.
Enraged, she exploded, "Chen Jing, get out your household registration book and let's compare. Does the owner's name on the property match yours?"
Her eldest uncle had instructed her to create a scene tomorrow morning to attract onlookers, and then have arranged people report it to the authorities. Why had her father given the house and land deeds to Chen Jing tonight?
Tian Jing cheerfully opened the house deed and read the final annotation to her mother.
"No, impossible."
Xiao Wei shook her head in disbelief. "Father, are you sure? Are you sure she is the daughter of Chen Yaoming and me?"
"I am not sure."
Grandpa Xiao shook his head. As his daughter's smile began to form, he added, "In any case, I have gifted it to her. If you are not satisfied, bring forth evidence to prove she is not the daughter of Chen Yaoming and you."
Xiao Wei was so flustered by her father's words that her mind went blank. "I, I'll go find Chen Yaoming to have another one then."
Tian Jing swayed the papers in her hand. "Ah, I'm sorry, I missed a word: 'eldest' daughter of Xiao Wei and Chen Yaoming."
"You? You did that on purpose."
Facing Xiao Wei's furious outburst, Tian Jing smirked.
"Yes, I did it on purpose, to test just how unscrupulous you are."
"I plan to sell this siheyuan to Xiao Lirong. The reason he and Xiao Lihua are here is because they want this siheyuan."
"And you, like a fool, believe that the person who forced your grandfather not to leave your father any inheritance truly loves you. How utterly foolish."
Xiao Wei raised her hand and pointed at Tian Jing. "You were eavesdropping? What about your upbringing?"
Tian Jing shrugged indifferently. "I was born of a mother but not taught by one. What is 'upbringing'? I've never known. And my mother is so stupid she can't grasp the important points."
Xiao Wei shook her head. "Your words are purely instigation. Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle accompanied me back. They believe my father is senile, and so do I. Therefore, I will sue you tomorrow."
Tian Jing let out a cold laugh. "Heh heh heh, let's make a bet."
"Bet on what?"
"Let's bet on the attitude of Xiao Lirong and Xiao Lihua. I'll have Ah Guang notify them immediately that I intend to sell them the siheyuan. Let's see if they still tell you to sue me."