Jiang Xing immediately suppressed his smile and resumed his cold demeanor. "This time, you were the one who provoked her, and you lost. It's not her fault for looking down on you—you were simply outmatched."
Jiang Zhao was left speechless.
After a long pause, he still couldn’t shake his confusion. "Do you think she’s ever attended such a grand banquet before? How could she dance so effortlessly?"
Jiang Xing shook his head, his gaze thoughtful. "I don’t know. There seem to be many secrets about her."
"Many secrets? Brother, you’re giving her too much credit. I admit she surprised me tonight, but only a little," Jiang Zhao scoffed, still dismissive of Jiang Youli. "And don’t forget how vicious she is—bullying Yonghe and injuring your right leg like that!"
At the mention of his leg, Jiang Xing frowned but said nothing.
Upon reflection, he had been the one who first tried to teach Jiang Youli a lesson, only to be outplayed by her.
Meanwhile—
"Where do you think you’re going? Sit down and stay put!" Duan Pinchao barked as he saw his son, Duan Jinghan, rise from his seat, guessing he intended to approach Jiang Youli.
"Dad, you’re the one who said bringing me here was to help me network. How am I supposed to meet anyone if you keep me chained to this seat all night?" Duan Jinghan retorted irritably.
"You’ll have plenty of chances at your own welcome banquet. Tonight isn’t the time," Duan Pinchao insisted, wary of his son causing trouble with the Jiang family.
Grudgingly, Duan Jinghan sat back down, his frustration mounting.
Fine!
If he couldn’t approach Jiang Youli now, he’d find another opportunity after the banquet.
At least he now knew she was in the capital—and that she was a Jiang family heiress!
After finishing a dance with Qi Yue, Jiang Yonghe returned to Jiang Zhao and Jiang Xing’s side, feigning humility.
"I never expected Youli-jie to be so skilled. I feel inferior in comparison," she sighed, carefully observing their reactions.
Jiang Xing replied offhandedly, "She was decent."
Jiang Zhao, ever defiant, countered, "It was nothing special. We were just caught off guard. Compared to you, Yonghe, she’s still far behind. You excel in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—all she can do is dance. There’s nothing impressive about that, right, brother?"
Jiang Xing remained silent.
Jiang Yonghe said no more, sensing that both Jiang Xing and Jiang Zhao were beginning to reassess their opinions of Jiang Youli.
This was the last outcome she wanted!
——
"Well? Feeling satisfied?" Qi Huan grinned as Jiang Youli returned, looking thoroughly pleased.
Jiang Youli nodded. "Very. I didn’t let Jiang Yonghe steal the spotlight at my own welcome banquet."
Qi Huan admired her blunt honesty. "Keep it up."
Noting his relaxed demeanor, Jiang Youli teased, "You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you? Just sitting back and watching me put on a show."
With a faint smile, Qi Huan raised his phone, tilting the screen toward her to reveal a recording.
"Not just watching—I made sure to capture it."
Jiang Youli’s eyes widened. "Hah?"
Qi Huan continued, "You were stunning. I plan to save this for our future wedding. What do you think?"
She snatched the phone from him, scrutinizing the video. "You really have too much free time!"
Qi Huan chuckled softly. "What can I say? When I miss you, I’ll need something to ease the longing."
Jiang Youli smirked. "Oh no, I think I’ve discovered some hidden perverted tendencies in you."
Unfazed, Qi Huan replied earnestly, "If loving and missing you makes me a pervert, then I’ll gladly admit to it."
After watching the video, Jiang Youli shoved the phone back into his hands. "Tch, I can’t win against you."
Qi Huan pocketed the device. "So, what’s next?"
Jiang Youli’s lips curled. "Now we wait for Jiang Yonghe’s performance. She’s always bragged about being a master of the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting—while claiming I only know how to farm. She even offered to teach me."
With that, she returned to the center stage.
"Once again, thank you all for attending my welcome banquet. Aside from enjoying the food and drinks, I’d like to offer some entertainment."
The guests turned their attention to her.
"What? Is Jiang Youli about to showcase a talent?"
"What talent could she possibly have?"
"Hard to say. We all thought she couldn’t dance, yet she outperformed Jiang Yonghe!"
"True! I’m actually curious now!"
Jiang Youli scanned the crowd before continuing.
"The Jiang family has a place called the Artistry Pavilion. I wasn’t familiar with it at first, but our adopted daughter, Jiang Yonghe, kindly informed me that it’s where the Jiang heirs study."
At this, Jiang Yonghe’s face paled.
Was this wretched woman planning to publicly humiliate her by playing that recording?
Her fists clenched in panic, but she lacked the courage to intervene. Trembling, she whispered, "Second Brother… Is Youli-jie going to expose that recording and shame me in front of everyone?"
Jiang Youli’s voice carried on. "Jiang Yonghe told me she’s been studying under elite tutors in the Artistry Pavilion since childhood—mastering music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even multiple foreign languages…"
Jiang Zhao abruptly stood. "Jiang Youli!"
Unfazed, Jiang Youli cast him a calm glance before continuing. "Jiang Yonghe was concerned I lacked skills and generously offered to teach me. Of course, she was modest—admitting she knows nothing about farming, cooking, or laundry, and even said she’d like to learn from me."
The guests exchanged uneasy glances.
Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian’s expressions darkened further.
Jiang Zhao gritted his teeth in defense. "Yonghe wasn’t wrong! She is accomplished in the arts, while you grew up in a village. Surely you know how to farm and do chores?"
Jiang Youli nodded. "Of course! All thanks to Jiang Yonghe’s mother swapping me at birth. Without that, I’d never have learned these skills. How fortunate for me."
Jiang Zhao: "…"
Under the weight of the crowd’s scrutiny, Jiang Yonghe nearly bit through her lip.
Jiang Youli smiled brightly. "So now, I’d like to humbly ask Jiang Yonghe to demonstrate her expertise in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—right here at my welcome banquet. What do you say?"
