Chapter 112: Host ascended to 112, Zero Egg soared to the sky_1
It was a rather eerie situation; Hua Zhuo could never have imagined how she’d ended up at the hospital.
Members of Nobility families typically left their genetic codes on record, and General Jimo Xiao was no exception.
Hua Zhuo had even tried to persuade him to find someone else to bear a child and secure a descendant for the Jimo Family, but General Jimo Xiao hadn’t agreed.
In fact, when Cang Xing Die had shown some reaction to Wen Jiang, Hua Zhuo had already begun to suspect something.
That was why she had investigated Wen Jiang’s background and tested her. Upon learning the secret Wen Jiang carried, Hua Zhuo’s doubts had solidified.
The reappearance of *that woman* had given her a terrible premonition.
The results came quickly. When it was confirmed that the Jimo Family truly still had descendants alive, Hua Zhuo found it somewhat hard to believe.
She looked up at Wen Jiang. The girl was examining the paternity test results, her eyes devoid of any excitement. Hua Zhuo even thought she detected a faint trace of pity in their depths.
Pity? Who is she pitying?
Her reaction was not what Hua Zhuo had imagined.
Even Hua Zhuo herself, upon learning that her Senior Brother still had a descendant alive, felt a surge of joy for the Jimo Family.
For Wen Jiang, who had grown up in the slums, suddenly discovering she was the child of a noble—such a fantastical turn of events should have brought overwhelming joy.
Yet, Hua Zhuo saw no such joy on her face.
Even the doctors performing the test were incredulous that the Jimo Family still had a living descendant.
It should have been an exhilarating moment, but Wen Jiang’s indifference left Hua Zhuo feeling somewhat at a loss.
She suddenly remembered General Jimo Xiao, who had passed away not long ago, and her eyes filled with profound sorrow. Unable to restrain her emotions any longer, her voice choked. "If your father... if your father knew you were still alive..."
For his daughter to be found so soon after his recent death... it was a profoundly sad turn of events.
Even those around them were affected by Hua Zhuo’s intense sorrow.
Indeed, General Jimo Xiao had passed away only recently. He had defended the borders for decades, and now his daughter had returned, yet there was no longer a chance for them to acknowledge each other.
In such a mournful atmosphere, Wen Jiang acted like an outsider, seemingly indifferent to the situation and not even saddened by the death of the man who was supposedly her father.
Hua Zhuo’s eyes reddened. But when she met Wen Jiang’s dispassionate gaze, she suddenly felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head.
"Your father passed away not long ago," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"I know," Wen Jiang replied calmly. "He was a respected general, and nothing more."
She only felt sorrow for the Jimo Family. The real Wen Jiang and General Jimo Xiao were both dead; who knew if they would have a chance to meet on the path of reincarnation?
Hua Zhuo was somewhat taken aback. "He was your father," she said, her tone a bit heavier, "and he only recently passed away."
"I know."
Wen Jiang looked steadily at her. "In my twenty years of life, I never met him. Before today, I never even imagined he could be my parent. What kind of reaction do you expect from me?"
The real daughter died even before he did. What reaction could an outsider like her possibly have?
For a moment, Hua Zhuo was speechless. It was understandable, she supposed. Wen Jiang had never met General Jimo Xiao, so how could she feel any familial affection for him?
Zero Egg sighed. "Usually, you humans would feel some sympathy in this kind of situation. After all, you’ll never get to meet your father. What a shame."
But Wen Jiang remained truly as calm as still water, which, in some respects, was rather terrifying.
Perhaps realizing this reunion wasn’t going as she’d expected, Hua Zhuo forced herself to calm down. "How did you come to suspect you might be my Senior Brother’s child?" she asked.
This was too suspicious. How could Wen Jiang have known she might be Jimo Xiao’s child?
"A guess." She certainly couldn’t admit she’d figured it out from tasks given by the System; the truth was just too melodramatic for words.
Hua Zhuo was momentarily speechless at the reply. It was obvious Wen Jiang didn’t want to elaborate, and Hua Zhuo’s earlier suspicions didn’t just linger—they intensified.
Suddenly becoming a Spirit Card Master, crafting Spirit Cards at an unimaginable speed, the reappearance of *that woman*... Hua Zhuo sensed a huge conspiracy. And now, the person involved was her Senior Brother’s child! Could this be *that woman’s* plot?
Hua Zhuo lowered her head, frowning. If *that woman* had informed Wen Jiang, was it also her who instructed Wen Jiang to enter Mount Flower?
With Jimo Xiao’s death, the underlying issues could be far more complicated.
Wen Jiang, however, had no idea Hua Zhuo’s imagination was running so wild. She had only returned to the Jimo Family to investigate the matter of the Heritage Card.
But it seemed Hua Zhuo’s suspicion towards her hadn’t lessened in the slightest. Now wasn’t the right time to bring up those matters.
Wen Jiang said nonchalantly, "Today’s events have resolved one of my questions. If you have no other business, Madam, I shall head home now."
Being addressed as "Madam" now, instead of "Director" like before, made Hua Zhuo feel an inexplicable sting. "You can call me Aunt Hua," she said.
Wen Jiang did not respond.
Hua Zhuo thought for a moment. "Since this is such a joyous occasion, would you be willing to return to the Jimo Family estate to pay respects to your parents?"
Yunxia had upheld its traditions for millennia. Some customs were not easily discarded, and people still practiced ancestral worship.
Wen Jiang glanced sideways at Hua Zhuo. She clearly suspects me, yet she wants me to return to the Jimo Family?
Still, it was a reasonable request. Having taken over this body, it was only right to pay respects on its behalf.
Wen Jiang nodded. "Very well."
They rode together in the car, the atmosphere somewhat subdued. Perhaps hoping to improve their rapport, Hua Zhuo’s tone softened as she began to tell Wen Jiang about the Jimo Family.
"Your father’s death was unexpected, and he left many matters unsettled. Until now, the Jimo Family believed there was no direct heir, but quite a few people covet the family’s assets."
Wen Jiang shot Hua Zhuo a surprised look. She suspects me, yet she’s telling me about the Jimo Family’s internal affairs?
As if sensing Wen Jiang’s unspoken question, Hua Zhuo continued without turning her head, "I know you’re intelligent. Currently, your mother’s family is eyeing everything the Jimo Family possesses. As an outsider, my hands have always been tied managing the Jimo Family’s businesses. If you can handle them, you will be the legitimate heir to the Jimo Family."
Zero Egg sounded baffled. "How did our Spirit Card crafting suddenly turn into a battle for inheritance among the Nobility?"
Wen Jiang replied, "It’s no hindrance."
Since she was returning to the Jimo Family, it would be abnormal if there weren’t people within a Nobility family vying for power and profit.
The Jimo Family estate was in Imperial City, not far from the Song Family’s manor.
To have such tranquility amidst the bustle—this was the privilege of Nobility families. Their estates, sprawling over nearly a thousand acres, were symbols of their status.
Zero Egg surveyed the scene and sighed. "I never imagined that one day, by following my master, I’d also ascend to heaven, just like the proverbial chickens and dogs!"
Wen Jiang asked, "Are you the chicken or the dog?"
Zero Egg: "..."