Chapter 598: 305 Terrifying (Second Update)
Jiang Chunlan picked up the photo and glanced at it. “It’s not them.”
Zhou Xue paused, wondering why Madam was so sure.
“Are you sure it’s Baitou Mountain’s Jiyue Temple?” Jiang Chunlan’s fingers caressed the ring on her unnamed finger as she spoke in a deep voice.
Zhou Xue replied, “Li Chan wouldn’t lie to protect her sister. She only mentioned Baitou Mountain, and there’s only one Jiyue Temple on the mountain. I had someone check the town at the foot of the mountain. Master Wu Xin of Jiyuean has adopted five orphaned girls, all of whom were abandoned. According to the detective hired by Mrs. Lin, the real Zhu family’s daughter should be Ming Xin, Ming Jing’s senior. So, only Ming Jing and the twin sisters have suspicious backgrounds. But Ming Jing is sixteen this year, and that doesn’t make sense in terms of age.”
Jiang Chunlan curled her lips, “Has she ever told you her age?”
Zhou Xue thought about it, and realized that when she came back as the real daughter of the Zhu family, no one would doubt her age.
“It’s just that if Ming Jing is indeed the person you’re looking for, it’s too terrifying.”
Why would a thirteen-year-old child pretend to be someone else, and what were her motives for doing so after coming back? Was she just extremely cunning, or was someone else behind it?
Either possibility was terrifying.
“Keep investigating. As long as she lives in this world, she will leave traces behind. We’ll soon find out who she is and what she wants.”
Jiang Chunlan thought about the figure she saw in Jiyue Temple two years ago.
Kneeling in front of the Buddha statue, the scent of sandalwood wafting around her, the young girl wore a washed-out white robe, exuding purity and detachment from the world.
“I pride myself on being able to read people correctly. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
The fog in front of her eyes grew denser, making her face less and less clear.
——
Jiang Chunlan changed into a peacock-green cheongsam and touched her temples as she walked out.
Jiang Jinchen had finished his meal and was tidying up, ready to go out.
Jiang Chunlan’s eyes sparkled as she smiled, “Jinchen, I suddenly remembered something. When Madam Gao visited our home last time, she loved the flower wine I brewed, and I promised to send her a jar today. I didn’t expect it to coincide with the press conference, so why don’t you help me deliver it? If I made a promise, I can’t let her down, right?”
Jiang Jinchen lowered his gaze, “Alright, I’ll deliver it.”
Zhou Xue walked out of the kitchen with a gift box and handed it to Jiang Jinchen, “Young Master, please be careful.”
Jiang Jinchen took the box in silence and left.
Zhou Xue placed a white mink shawl on Jiang Chunlan’s shoulders, “Madam, you sent the young master away so he wouldn’t get too close to Ms. Ming Jing, right?”
Jiang Chunlan curled her lips, “It’s better to be cautious about some things. Jinchen may be quiet, but he’s actually quite thoughtful. I know he has special feelings for Ming Jing, and I used to want to bring them together, but now it seems I was naïve...”
“The young master will understand your intentions,” Zhou Xue reassured her.
Like the brightest moon in a night sky, unique in this world.
Her eyes, with all their charms and elegance, finally revealing a sense of calmness.
She walked at ease, with a faint hint of smile on her face, weaving through the audience and walking up the stage.
“Click, click...” The flashlights never stopped, the photographers going crazy, their fingers no longer under their control.
Newly-minted 360-degree perfect shots of her. For the first time since her public image became known, she was appearing in front of cameras, not as a celebrity, but with an influence that rivals any A-list stars. Her beauty was simply born for the camera.
A natural beauty.
In front of the live broadcast, the audience watching the scene would only be more excited. Humans have a consensus understanding of beauty, and while some may not discern right from wrong, they will not fail to perceive beauty or ugliness, unless they are blind.
However, her most striking feature was not her beauty but her elegance and calm demeanor, her gentle and fresh charm with every frown and smile, and a hint of compassion hidden within her icy skin and jade bones.
Pity for all beings and compassion for all life, this is the one and only Ming Jing.
The host was taken aback, having heard of this young lady, and today, seeing her in person, he realized how favored she was by the heavens.
Next, a representative of the Jockey Club appeared, making the ceremony appear official, but no eyes could leave Ming Jing.
Since the establishment of the Jockey Club, no presidency had existed. Each major council member would take their respective roles, with the real control behind them actually being held by Ran Tengxiao. However, he could never appear on stage. As the representative handed over the seal of presidential authority to Ming Jing, they exchanged a few words of encouragement, took a photo for the camera, and the handover ceremony was complete.
Then came the highlight and the moment everyone was most concerned about.
Ming Jing was asked to stay on stage while the host swiftly glanced over his script, gripped the microphone, and said with a smile, “Ms. Ming Jing is young and talented, truly an example for us youngsters. I heard that you won a national gold medal at the Winter Camp a few days ago and were admitted to Huaqing University. Congratulations in advance.”
Ming Jing gave a gentle smile, “You’re too kind.”
The host, healed by her gentle smile, gradually let go of his tension.
“I’ve selected some comments from netizens, and I’d like to take this opportunity to ask Ms. Ming Jing to clarify our doubts. As we all know, not too long ago, you won a national equestrian championship, stunning the whole country. Everyone, including myself, can’t help but wonder when Ms. Ming Jing, who grew up in the mountains, learned to ride a horse?”
After asking the question, the host nervously gripped the microphone. This question was rather offensive. She was Apple Video’s leading actress, and for this interview with the young lady, their question script was repeatedly rejected. In the end, the chief editor opted for this more aggressive question to guarantee online traffic.
Don’t ask why. Simply put, there was no harm in the young lady making some sacrifices for the development of her own video software.
With fierce competition in the industry, if they didn’t pull off a surprise, the chief editor would be in trouble. This month’s performance would be secured with the help of the young lady’s popularity.
As the host finished speaking, the scene fell silent for a brief moment.
The audience and the big shots present were all curious, not just her.
In the first row of the audience, Shen Zhou furrowed his brows, seemingly displeased.
The camera swept past, and upon seeing Shen Zhou’s gloomy face, the chief editor knew they were in trouble.
Ming Jing took the microphone from the staff at a leisurely pace, facing countless pairs of eyes, and smiled faintly.