Obsessive Tycoon and His Swan Girl
Chapter 338: The 338th - : Moral Kidnapping

Chapter 338: The 338th Chapter: Moral Kidnapping

Lady Xia and Xia Mingzhu both looked rather unwell.

Jiang Xiruo said indifferently, "Second Brother, Enci is part of the Xia Family, your niece, and she was insulted as a thief. Is just a simple apology enough? Although Xia Fang is no longer with us, our Enci is not a child without someone who cherishes her. After such a great grievance, should we just let it go?"

Xia Zhen indeed felt guilty and apologetically said with a smile, "This matter, indeed, your second sister-in-law was too hasty, causing such a big misunderstanding. But as you know, she was just worried about Mom’s health, which led her to speak without thinking. Please, for the sake of her filial piety, forgive her just this once."

"You’re making light of a serious matter. Mom’s health is one thing, and Enci being slandered is another. The two matters cannot be conflated."

Lady Xia, hearing Jiang Xiruo speak thus, countered, "I really did get a little carried away, which is why I made a mistake. But if it were not for the fact that the food you all ate was indeed tremella, how could I have made such a mistake? You can’t blame just me, right?"

"Tremella?" Xia Zhen asked in surprise.

Mingli also looked over at Jiang Xiruo.

To be honest, from the time Jiang Xiruo brought Enci back to the Xia family, both father and son hadn’t given a proper look to the mother and daughter, nor did they see any connection between the tremella and them.

Facing everyone’s astonished looks, Jiang Xiruo calmly said, "The tremella was brought by me, and since the day I arrived, I have been giving it to Mom. Mom’s health has been improving quite well recently, and I believe it has had its benefits. Later on, I will continue to take care of Mom and ensure she has her daily intake of tremella. The items I bring are naturally for me to share with whomever I please. Enci and Xiaozhe had a bowl, is there any problem?"

When she acknowledged so openly that it was tremella, the people from the second branch were not just surprised, they were even trembling.

The fact that Jiang Xiruo could recognize tremella was already beyond their expectations, and she actually had some!

Thinking about it, she had been back for quite a while now, and all this time she had been stewing tremella for the Old Lady to eat, occasionally giving some to Enci and Jiang Zhe as well—this amounted to a large quantity!

How did she buy it, and from where?

The people of the second branch were full of questions.

Mingli’s questions were even tinged with a mix of embarrassment and anger. He had expended not a few connections and favors to buy the tremella, which he considered very valuable. Just today, when his father had given it away, he hesitated for a moment, wondering if the other party was worth such a precious gift.

And yet, it was nothing more than a casual dessert on the dining table of Jiang Zhe and Enci!

This was more of a slap in the face than anything else!

Lady Xia immediately softened her stance, "Xiruo, see, I really went out of my mind, got ahead of myself, and that’s why I said such things. For the sake of family, please forgive me this once!"

Jiang Xiruo kept a cold face and said nothing.

"Enci, Xiaozhe..." Lady Xia tried to persuade the two younger members of the family.

After Jiang Zhe finished a bowl of tremella, he added another and continued to eat nonchalantly, not even giving her a glance.

Before they knew what Jiang Zhe was eating was tremella, everyone just thought he was being arrogant.

But now that they knew it was tremella, they all felt indescribable. A food item they deemed very precious, Jiang Zhe was treating it so casually, as if it was the most common seasonal fruit.

"Ridiculous! Mingzhu, you and your mother, do you still not realize your mistake?"

The Old Lady, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

She had been unwell before, and the petty squabbles were all small matters to her; she had turned a blind eye. But today’s issue had blown up so much that it was normal for her to raise her voice.

Being able to raise three sons into adulthood, the Xia Family held a certain status—and the Old Lady’s capabilities were not to be underestimated.

Upon hearing her speak so sternly, Xia Mingzhu and the second Mrs. Xia both stood up straight.

"I’m sorry, grandma."

"I am old and sick, but I’m not dead yet!" the elderly Mrs. Xia slammed the armrest of her wheelchair.

The people from the second branch didn’t dare to speak anymore, as the elderly Mrs. Xia still carried an imposing aura, especially since their entire family was in the wrong.

The entire atmosphere was very quiet.

Only the sound of Jiang Zhe’s spoon gently clinking against the bowl could be heard.

The elderly Mrs. Xia looked at her affectionately, but when she turned back to face the second Mrs. Xia and Xia Mingzhu, her tone became even harsher, "Mingzhu, being intelligent is not a bad thing, and achieving success is commendable, but that doesn’t mean you can be arrogant, let alone do whatever you please because of your arrogance. The fact that I have not spoken these past days doesn’t mean I haven’t seen everything you do and say."

She softened her voice, "This family naturally belongs to you three brothers. What this means among brothers, I trust I don’t need to say more. At home, I hope that the elders can set a good example for the younger ones."

"Enci is a child of this house. Xiaozhe is a guest. As hosts, you all should carry the demeanor befitting the hosts, which is also a reflection of the Xia Family’s upbringing and manners."

The second Mrs. Xia and Xia Mingzhu were scolded until their faces turned red with shame.

Xia Zhen and Xia Mingli were also feeling rather uneasy.

Xia Zhen glared fiercely at his wife.

"Mom, you’re right. We were indeed at fault this time," Xia Zhen said, "Don’t be angry. I will have a proper talk with them later on."

"I am old now, I don’t manage things anymore. But what I hope for is that all of you are doing well."

Xia Zhen understood and said in a low voice, "I understand, which is why you called me and Mingli back with just one phone call when they were about to call the police just now."

After he had finished speaking, he glared at his wife and daughter again.

Only then did the second Mrs. Xia and Xia Mingzhu understand why the father and son had returned so coincidentally.

The elderly Mrs. Xia had arranged this to save face for them!

Otherwise, if they had really called the police, the entire second branch would have been disgraced, making it impossible for them to stand tall in Beijing!

The elderly Mrs. Xia took Jiang Xiruo’s hand and said, "Xiruo, you have had a hard time during this period. You were wronged just now. I didn’t let them call the police because I don’t want our relationships to become even more strained."

Jiang Xiruo nodded in understanding, "I can let go of this matter for now, but I hope this is the last time."

The elderly Mrs. Xia said, "Xia Zhen!"

Now that Xia Zhen was in the wrong, his voice was very low, "Mom, go ahead."

"The courtyard where you live originally included a portion belonging to Xia Fang. Now that Xiruo and the others are back, you should clear it out so that they can live there comfortably. Everyone is part of this family, so why should they be made to stay with the main branch?"

If the elderly Mrs. Xia had brought this up earlier, the second branch would certainly have found many excuses and reasons to decline.

Especially the second Mrs. Xia, she would definitely not agree.

But today, since they were in the wrong, and the elderly Mrs. Xia had put it this way, if they were to refuse again, the matter would never be resolved.

The four of them looked at each other and Xia Zhen said in a quiet voice, "Alright, I will have someone take care of it."