After thinking for a while, Elder Master Jiang's face took on a solemn expression as he said, "Chen'er, no matter what you do, Grandpa will support you, but you will need to pass two tests."

"The first test is to meet your great-uncles tonight. If you pass their test, your identity as the eldest legitimate grandson of the Jiang Family will be secured."

"The second test will be the ancestral ritual assessment one month from now! Butler Lu and Xuan Long should have already told you about this."

"Originally, I didn't want to have the ancestral ritual assessment so soon; I wanted you to establish your own circle of friends in Jincheng first. However, Jiang Minghui is putting pressure on us, so Grandpa could only secure one month for you."

Elder Master Jiang continued with a look of concern, "Jiang Minghui has been very active in the company recently; I also need you to gain the family's recognition as fast as possible.

During the ancestral ritual assessment, some key figures from the company will be there. As long as you pass the assessment, those from the neutral faction will follow your orders.

Then, when I give you the power in my hands, Jiang Minghui won't be a threat anymore.

It's just that... in such a short time, I fear you won't be able to garner the support of the family's factions in Jincheng. Relying only on the forces from Dingjing and Jinhai might be a bit weak!"

"Grandpa, you don't need to worry about that. I will have my own methods. No matter how powerful the people Jiang Minghui brings in, it will be useless!"

Jiang Chen spoke confidently. If it had been before he went to Long Ya, he wouldn't have had this confidence, but now, not only was he the chief instructor at Long Ya, but he had also made acquaintances with Deputy Commander Xu of the Central Defense Area. When the time comes, inviting Commander Zhang and Deputy Commander Xu to sit in will render all of Jiang Minghui's efforts futile.

Of course, this was a last resort. If it was possible to handle the situation without involving these two heavyweights, that would be best.

After all, favors once called upon diminish, and even though he had helped them quite a bit, they are, after all, high-ranking officials—not someone you can call on time and again to handle your family affairs!

Elder Master Jiang was taken aback by the response, his mind racing. He also recalled the time Yi Chen was established when Mr. Shen and Shen Xiangtian attended the celebration, and he nodded slightly.

He thought that Jiang Chen's reliance was on Mr. Shen and his son. Indeed, if Jiang Chen could invite them, it would indeed be a match for the people Jiang Minghui had rallied in Jincheng.

After all, business can never outfight the military.

"Right, get ready. After lunch, you'll attend the family meeting. This time, it will be your first official appearance at a family meeting, and Jiang Minghui and the others will definitely trouble you over today's matter, so prepare early," Elder Master Jiang reminded him.

Jiang Chen sneered coldly, "There's nothing to prepare for. Let them use whatever tricks they have; I'll face them all."

After a deep look at Jiang Chen, Elder Master Jiang said nothing more and chatted with Shen Xiaoqin and Ye Jingyi. Shen Xiaoqin decided to leave Elder Master Jiang to dine there, and together with Ye Jingyi, they cooked a large table full of dishes, to Elder Master Jiang's great delight.

"I must come to eat here often in the future, haha!" After the meal, Elder Master Jiang said still yearning for more.

Shen Xiaoqin's face erupted into a smile as she spoke, "Good, Elder Master, you can come here to eat from now on."

"Alright, haha! It's been a long time since I've had a home-cooked meal," Elder Master Jiang said joyfully.

Jiang Chen was momentarily taken aback, and suddenly a trace of pity appeared in his eyes.

When Elder Master Jiang said he hadn't tasted 'home flavor' in his meals, it wasn't that the meals at the Jiang Family were inferior to those made by Shen Xiaoqin and Ye Jingyi, but rather that he hadn't sat down to eat with his family in a long time.

According to Butler Lu, of the Jiang Family's main line, there were only Elder Master Jiang and his great-uncle left; everyone else was a collateral descendant. Even Jiang Minglou and Jiang Mingcheng's family, who were on the same side as Elder Master Jiang, were still one step removed by blood.

Now that Jiang Chen had returned, he was the old master's own grandson, eating with Jiang Chen made the elder master rediscover the long-lost taste of home.

Upon realizing this, all resentment towards the elder master in Jiang Chen's heart vanished without a trace.

This elder master was indeed quite pitiable, having single-handedly challenged Jiang Minghui and his ilk in a battle of wits for over twenty years, a truly arduous endeavor!

Bang bang bang!

There was a knock at the door, and Yan Hu took the initiative to stand up and opened the door of the attic.

Butler Lu nodded at Yan Hu and stepped into the attic to reach the living room, "Master, young master, the family conference is ready; everyone has arrived."

"Let's go," the elder master said, looking to Jiang Chen for confirmation.

In this encounter with Jiang Chen, the elder master distinctly sensed something different about him.

The Jiang Chen of the past was like a sharp blade sealed within its sheath, but now, Jiang Chen was like the blade drawn and revealing limitless sharpness, and even the elder master felt occasionally intimidated by him.

"Alright." Jiang Chen nodded and got up, walking towards the attic door.

This meeting was a family council of the Jiang family, and neither Shen Xiaoqin nor Ye Jingyi were suitable to attend; Leng Ye and Yan Hu lacked the standing to participate. Only the elder master, Jiang Chen, and Butler Lu walked towards the fourth courtyard.

Upon reaching the conference room, Jiang Chen scanned the room with a glance.

In the conference room was a long table, and the bloodstains from the morning's incident in the corner had been cleaned up. There were two chairs at the head of the table.

At that moment, Jiang Minghui was sitting in one of the chairs at the head of the table.

To the right of the table, Ming Qian, who wore a sullen expression, was watching Jiang Chen as he entered, a trace of barely concealed fear in the depths of his eyes.

Behind Ming Qian were Ming Kun and others, all aligned with Ming Hui's faction.

To the left of the table, the head seat was empty, and the second seat was occupied by a scholarly-looking man wearing glasses; sitting in the third seat was a man with a straight and resolute posture. Behind them were the younger generation of Ming Lou's lineage.

What surprised Jiang Chen a bit was that sitting next to Ming Qian was not Jiang Yuqing, whom he had not met in the morning, but Jiang Yuting instead.

It was well understood that in such a traditional family as the Jiangs, a male's status was generally regarded as higher than that of females, and in a family council of this nature, seating arrangements were given particular attention to reflect seniority and importance. That Jiang Yuting, as a married daughter of the family, could sit at the head of the seats reserved for the younger generation on the left next to Jiang Chen was quite thought-provoking.

Jiang Chen was clear in his mind; these two must be Ming Lou and Ming Cheng, whom he had not seen in the morning.

"Third uncle, fifth uncle!" Jiang Chen greeted Ming Lou and Ming Cheng naturally and took his place at the head seat on the left.

Ming Lou and his counterpart nodded back at Jiang Chen, showing interest as they watched him.

Elder Master Jiang took his seat to the left of the main position, glanced over everyone, and said softly, "Everyone is present, let's begin."

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