Chapter 6: The True and False Heiresses of the Jiang Family

At the end of the red carpet, a crowd had gathered.

Old Madam Bo stood at the center. She was dressed simply, in a traditional Chinese tunic and trousers, looking very much like someone just returning from a morning of tai chi in the park. Though her hair was white, her spirit was lively, and her features appeared far younger than her peers, her eyes bright and clear, with scarcely a wrinkle at their corners. Her roundness lent her face a youthful fullness, the collagen seemingly untouched by time. Such, thought Jiang Ciyou, is the very image of youthful grace in old age.

Behind the old lady stood a gift table, piled high with offerings from the guests. Boxes of all sizes were stacked into a veritable mountain. At that moment, Jiang Xiaoxiao was opening a square brocade box to present her gift.

“Old Madam Bo, this is a birthday present from the Jiang family of Rong City—a set of QUEEN’s haute couture jewelry, valued at eight million yuan.”

QUEEN was an internationally renowned luxury jewelry brand, which had burst onto the scene three years ago and become a favorite among the world’s elite for its exquisite craftsmanship.

The old lady glanced at the jewelry and smiled. “Thank you, Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Xiaoxiao launched into an enthusiastic introduction. “So long as you like it, that’s what matters. The price is secondary. As everyone knows, QUEEN accepts only private commissions, each piece is unique. It took me considerable effort to acquire this necklace. I felt only something as singular as QUEEN could befit your status.”

The old lady lifted a hand, signaling the attendant to take the gift. Before Jiang Xiaoxiao could finish, the attendant had already carried the box away, placing it unceremoniously atop the heap of gifts behind, where it was promptly swallowed from view.

“Next to present a gift, the Zhao family from the capital,” the old butler announced loudly, reading from a registry.

Before entering, each guest had to register at the door, and then, in order of arrival, present their gift to the old lady.

Jiang Xiaoxiao, with much left unsaid, was abruptly cut off by the butler. She had no choice but to withdraw, reluctantly, to stand beside Yao Shulan.

She couldn’t understand. The Jiang family had prepared such a lavish and valuable gift—so why had it caused not the slightest ripple? Not even the surrounding guests uttered a single word of praise or admiration.

But soon, Jiang Xiaoxiao understood.

The great houses of the capital were presenting gifts of truly immense worth: imperial green jade scepters, Xuande-era blue-and-white porcelain, Kangxi-period rouge-glazed vases, and antique calligraphy and paintings, each worth tens of millions. In comparison, her eight-million-yuan jewelry seemed hardly worth mentioning.

“Next, the Yan family from Rong City.”

Jiang Ciyou stepped forward with Yan Feng. Jiang Xiaoxiao’s gaze lingered on her.

As Jiang Ciyou presented her gift, a hint of mockery curled Jiang Xiaoxiao’s lips.

Jiang Ciyou had already opened her box. Nestled in red velvet were several segments of incense, each the length of a finger, neatly arranged in rows.

“Old Madam Bo, this is the Yan family’s birthday gift to you. I hope you’ll like it.”

Jiang Xiaoxiao knew of Jiang Ciyou’s fondness for making incense. Such pretentious little hobbies—how could they possibly hold their own on such an occasion? How self-indulgent she was! All the gifts the old lady had accepted were priceless treasures—how could something so worthless be fit for this grand event?

The old lady picked up the box, brought it to her nose, and inhaled. Her smile deepened. “Thank you, Mrs. Jiang.”

Jiang Ciyou was taken aback. How did the old lady know her surname? She had registered as Mrs. Yan.

Just as Old Madam Bo was about to have the gift put away, Jiang Xiaoxiao stepped forward.

“I’ve heard Mrs. Yan enjoys making incense. Is this perhaps your own work?”

Jiang Ciyou had already noticed her. She smiled. “Yes, it’s a small hobby of mine. This blend is called ‘Rosewood Immersed in Osmanthus,’ made using roses, agarwood, and various other ingredients, following an ancient recipe—”

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes flashed with triumph. Without waiting for Jiang Ciyou to finish, she interjected, unable to contain herself.

“Mrs. Yan, to casually present one of your own little trinkets as a seventieth birthday gift for Old Madam Bo—don’t you think that’s disrespectful? How much could a box of incense cost—a thousand? Ten thousand?”

All eyes turned to Jiang Ciyou and Yan Feng.

Jiang Xiaoxiao deliberately glanced at Yan Feng. “Has the Yan family fallen so far that they can’t even manage a proper birthday gift?”

Yan Feng’s expression darkened. He’d caught a cold from the air conditioning the night before, and had been foggy-headed since morning. Thus, he’d left the task of choosing a gift to Jiang Ciyou. His grandfather had stressed that this meeting was crucial for the Yan family, and that their budget for a present was unlimited. He never expected Jiang Ciyou would choose a box of her own handmade incense.

If the Bo family took offense at such a modest gift, their hopes for the resort project would surely be dashed.

He was about to voice his displeasure when Jiang Ciyou spoke, unhurried and calm.

“I heard Old Madam Bo came to Rong City three years ago to recuperate because of insomnia. This incense is specifically blended to calm the mind and aid sleep. I hope it might bring some relief to her sleeplessness and headaches.”

Earlier that afternoon at her company, she’d done some research and learned of the old lady’s troubles with insomnia.

Jiang Xiaoxiao sneered, “It’s just some incense, Mrs. Yan. Don’t exaggerate—it’s not a miracle cure. If incense could heal, what would we need hospitals for?”

At that moment, the red-haired woman standing by the old lady leaned in to sniff the box. “This isn’t the traditional Rosewood blend—there’s a subtle medicinal note.”

Jiang Ciyou replied evenly, “I altered the classic recipe and added calamus, night-blooming vine, and other calming herbs. That’s why it carries a hint of medicine.”

The red-haired woman smiled and spoke to Old Madam Bo. “Grandmother, I quite like this incense. If you don’t want it, give it to me.”

This was Bo Xinyi, the old lady’s granddaughter, who had flown back from abroad for her grandmother’s birthday.

“Who says I don’t want it?” The old lady regarded Jiang Ciyou with warm approval. “The moment I smelled this incense, I felt refreshed. Old Zheng, take the incense to my bedroom—before anyone else gets ideas.”

Butler Zheng responded at once, carefully accepting the box from Bo Xinyi’s hands and hurrying away.

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s face froze as she witnessed this. The eight-million-yuan jewelry she’d brought hadn’t earned so much as a second glance, while Jiang Ciyou’s homemade incense had won the old lady’s favor and was set aside specially.

Were all the wealthy mad?

The gift-giving continued, but many guests who had already presented their gifts began to disperse. Having just made a fool of herself, Jiang Xiaoxiao had no wish to linger. She’d barely turned away when she overheard people talking about her.

“That’s the daughter the Jiang family found three years ago, right? Grew up in the countryside, I heard.”

“No wonder she has that rustic air. She even had to mention the price of her gift. Can’t she see the imperial green jade bangle on Old Madam Bo’s wrist is worth two hundred million? And that necklace she gave—just a beginner’s piece from QUEEN. I felt embarrassed for her when she kept emphasizing it cost eight million.”

“You’re not from Rong City, you wouldn’t know. The one who brought the incense is actually the Jiang family’s true daughter.”

“Well, that explains it. Picking on her deliberately at an event like this—how cruel. I thought Mrs. Yan was poised and gracious, born to wealth.”

“That Rosewood something incense truly did smell exquisite. I was standing far away and still caught a whiff—now that is true luxury, unlike those who only care about price tags.”

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s fingers clenched white with rage.

Everyone liked Jiang Ciyou.

But everything about Jiang Ciyou—her elegance, her composure, her innate nobility—had been taken from Jiang Xiaoxiao.

One day, she vowed, she would tear off that beautiful, flawless mask and reveal the face that should have been hers for all to see.