章 103: The Patriarch's Decree

The opulent sitting room of the Jiang manor was bathed in a warm, inviting glow as Feng Ruoxi and Xia Xingxing made their way inside, still buzzing with excitement from their outing at the mall. However, their bubbling chatter ground to an abrupt halt when Feng Ruoxi's gaze landed on the wizened figure seated before them.

"Grandpa Jiang?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.

Jiang Zhiming, the venerable patriarch of the Jiang family, greeted them with a broad smile that creased the weathered lines of his face. "Ruoxi, Xingxing. It seems you both had a delightful day out."

Feng Ruoxi recovered from her initial shock, returning the elderly man's smile with one of her own. "Yes, we had a wonderful time. When did you arrive, Grandpa?"

"Oh, just about twenty minutes ago," Jiang Zhiming replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Feng Ruoxi's brow furrowed slightly as she glanced around the opulent room. "Jiang Yukang isn't here?"