Chapter 210 - 100: The Future Seen in the River of Time Makes Sense of This Deserved Bitter Fruit

"Young Master..."

Seeing Jiang Lan’s gesture, Su Qinghan was touched, but she couldn’t voice the troubles weighing on her heart.

Jiang Lan had been exceptionally good to her lately. After she had opened up to him, he’d become even more protective.

Even though he knew she was hiding something, he never pressed her about it, choosing instead to trust her as he always had.

"I know what you want to say..."

"You’ve probably met Yuqing Zhenren and understand her status. Don’t worry. I’ll cover for you with my parents."

"Even if they see through it, it doesn’t matter," Jiang Lan said, smiling to comfort her.

"I’m sorry, Young Master. I’ve been hiding this from you..."

A mist seemed to form in Su Qinghan’s clear eyes. Her slightly cold hand tightened its grip on his, as if she never wanted to let go.

"It’s alright. I understand."

"I trust you, too."

Jiang Lan replied. Feeling the surge of providence once again within his Mud Ball Palace, he knew that everything he had done recently was worth it.

’Capturing Su Qinghan’s heart would take more than just a brief association. He wasn’t being good to her, protecting her, and trusting her for no reason at all.’

’By moving her deeply at a moment like this, when she feels helpless and afraid, the scales in her heart will continue to tip in my favor.’

’Yuqing Zhenren wants to plant her by my side, but I don’t actually have to do anything. When the time comes, Su Qinghan will naturally help me deal with her own master...’

"Your son greets you, Father, Mother."

In the pavilion, Jiang Lan led Su Qinghan forward to pay their respects.

Li Mengning, who had remained out of sight until now, also emerged and bowed to them.

Due to her status, Jiang Lan hadn’t brought Chu Chan along. Instead, he had her return to the Jasper Pool Sect with Ling Zhuyun.

Keeping her by his side would have only hindered Chu Chan’s development.

"Lan’Er, there’s no need for such formalities."

Jiang Lintian and Li Qingshu were both smiling. In truth, they had already noticed the change in Jiang Lan when they saw him approaching from a distance.

His essence, spirit, and bearing alone were a world apart from when he had been living in listless despair.

He walked with a calm and confident posture, truly exuding the superior air of a noble young master.

His every move held a natural harmony with the Dao Rhyme, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi swarmed toward him like fledgling swallows returning to their nest.

For a moment, a daze seemed to come over them. The Jiang Lan of many years ago had been just like this—confident, poised, gentle, and unhurried.

"He’s back..."

"Our Lan’Er is back..."

Both of them felt an irrepressible sense of excitement and joy.

As his mother, Li Qingshu’s eyes even grew a little moist, but she quickly evaporated the tears with her Magical Power, so no one noticed.

As for Su Qinghan, who followed beside Jiang Lan looking somewhat awkward and nervous, they subconsciously ignored her, paying her no mind.

If not for her master, Yuqing Zhenren, they wouldn’t have given such an ordinary little girl a second glance.

The mere thought that a little girl from such a common family could climb the social ladder and become Jiang Lan’s concubine...

As his mother, Li Qingshu felt a sourness in her heart. She tried her best not to look at the girl, lest she get annoyed.

’How could a little girl like her possibly be worthy?’

"These are all the dishes you’ve always loved, Lan’Er. Your mother knew you were coming back, so I specially instructed the Spirit Chef to prepare them early for you. Eat while they’re hot, or they’ll get cold."

"Look at you, you’ve gotten so thin..."

After Jiang Lan sat down, Li Qingshu began placing food on his plate, her words filled with doting affection.

"You eat too, Mother. Your son can serve himself."

Jiang Lan smiled. If nothing else, his parents’ affection—no, their doting—was bone-deep.

Anyone could feel the sheer intensity of their adoration.

Jiang Lintian watched this scene and shook his head with a smile. It had been a long time since he’d seen such a smile on his wife’s face.

"The Jade Water Golden Dragon Crabs you always loved, Lan’Er. These ones are all over five hundred years old. I had the Business Alliance set them aside specially..."

"How do they taste?"

Jiang Lintian smiled, lifting his sleeve with one hand as he used the other to place some food on Jiang Lan’s plate.

"Any Jade Water Golden Dragon Crab chosen by Father is sure to be incredibly fresh and sweet."

"Qinghan, don’t just stand there. Please, sit. Father, Mother, this is the Qinghan I told you about in the Communication Jade Talisman..."

Jiang Lan gestured for Su Qinghan to sit.

However, both Li Qingshu and Jiang Lintian merely gave a casual nod, not paying Su Qinghan much attention.

Given their status, they had already investigated Su Qinghan’s ancestry for generations back, leaving no stone unturned.

Su Qinghan had already anticipated this casual, disdainful attitude.

In fact, it made her feel much more relaxed. She quietly sat down beside Jiang Lan, though she still seemed a bit reserved.

Li Mengning, on the other hand, was long accustomed to such scenes. She picked up her Jade Chopsticks and silently savored the various dishes before her.

"Go on, eat..." Li Mengning said kindly, noticing she hadn’t touched her chopsticks.

Su Qinghan stiffened slightly, then followed her example and began to eat in silence.

She had to admit, it was just as you’d expect from a Spirit Chef specially hired by the Prime Minister’s Mansion—every single dish was exquisite.

Even she, who had been a somewhat picky eater back at the Su Mansion, couldn’t find a single fault.

Not to mention, all the ingredients were sourced from rare Spiritual Birds and Exotic Beasts. Outside, a single piece of this meat would probably sell for an astronomical price.