The group continued chatting lively for quite some time, and the atmosphere couldn't have been more harmonious.
Tang Xiachuan glanced at Commander Lu. Seeing the elderly man looking visibly tired after sitting for so long, he quickly stood up and said with concern,
"Commander Lu, you should get some rest. I'll come visit you again another day."
"Haha, Xiao Tang, we're like family, so no need for formalities. I really am feeling a little worn out. I won't keep you any longer."
Commander Lu truly was exhausted. However, with Jiang Ning still present, he felt awkward about simply lying down to rest.
Jiang Ning also rose to his feet.
"Commander Lu, since you're tired, you should lie down and rest immediately. This afternoon, you can try walking around a little. Over the next week, your meridians will become smoother with each passing day."
"Next week, when you come to Cangnan City, Elder Tang knows where I live. Just have him contact me."
As he spoke, Jiang Ning turned to Lu Jianguo and handed him a prescription.
"Brother Jianguo, please prepare these herbs according to this prescription. Have him take the medicine three times a day after meals. It'll greatly help improve his blood circulation and clear his meridians."
"I certainly will."
Commander Lu nodded excitedly.
"Master Jiang, thank you so much! Guo'er, Qiang'er, make sure you properly see Master Jiang and Xiao Tang off."
"Don't worry, Dad."
Lu Jianguo smiled.
"Third Brother and I will take care of everything. You just rest easy."
The group then left the room and headed toward the residential complex's entrance.
Inside the compound, members of the National Security Department watched their every movement.
However, with Lu Jianguo and Lu Guoqiang accompanying them, the security personnel were noticeably more relaxed than before.
Tang Hecai and his secretary, Ke Hanliang, had been waiting outside.
The moment they spotted Elder Tang and Jiang Ning leaving the residential complex, they immediately drove the car to the entrance.
Jiang Ning smiled.
"Brother Jianguo, Brother Guoqiang, you can stop here. You should head back."
Tang Xiachuan added another reminder.
"Go back now, Jianguo, Guoqiang. Don't forget to have the prescription filled. Be sure to prepare the medicine exactly as Master Jiang instructed."
"Don't worry, Uncle Tang."
Lu Jianguo replied gratefully.
"Third Brother and I will take good care of Dad. Master Jiang, Uncle Tang, have a safe trip."
Jiang Ning and Tang Xiachuan got into the car and waved goodbye.
The stretched Lincoln slowly drove away.
Only then did Lu Jianguo and Lu Guoqiang return to the Imperial Residence Community, both wearing joyful smiles.
Outside the residential complex stood a high-rise building.
From one of its rooms—which overlooked the entrance—a Japanese intelligence operative continuously snapped photographs with a camera.
Click! Click! Click!
Not long afterward, in Japan's Intelligence Bureau, Section Chief Yamada Taro received an email containing photos of Lu Jianguo and Lu Guoqiang seeing Tang Xiachuan and Jiang Ning off.
Staring at the pictures, Yamada's face darkened.
"Higashino Tsunekawa!"
He barked at his subordinate.
"I want a complete background investigation on these two people in the photographs. Don't overlook either of them. Find out everything."
"Yes, Chief!"
Higashino bowed before quickly leaving the office.
Meanwhile...
At the U.S. Intelligence Division,
Jack Wilde had obtained even more detailed information.
Files containing Tang Xiachuan's and Jiang Ning's personal information were already neatly laid out on his desk.
"Investigate this immediately."
He issued the order.
"Why did former Tang Group president Tang Xiachuan bring this young man named Jiang Ning into the Imperial Residence Community? And why were they meeting Lu Dahu? I want answers."
The order was instantly relayed throughout the American intelligence investigation team.
Inside the car...
Tang Xiachuan enthusiastically said,
"Master Jiang, tonight's banquet will be held at my Tang Hotel. I'd like you to try our head chef's cooking and give us your professional opinion on how we can improve."
"It'll also be a good opportunity for you to meet my other two sons."
"How about staying the night? We can head back tomorrow morning."
Jiang Ning nodded.
"Sure, that's fine. I'll follow your arrangements."
Although he wanted to return to see Mengmeng and Su Meng, it wasn't often that he came to the capital, so staying one night before leaving seemed reasonable.
Not long later, the car arrived at Tang Xiachuan's Gongqing Villa.
He had arranged for Jiang Ning to stay there because it was quiet and normally reserved exclusively for distinguished guests.
As soon as Jiang Ning stepped out of the car, his eyes widened.
Compared with Su Meng's villa—or even Su Yunlong's—this place was several times larger.
There was a lush bamboo grove, expansive lawns, crystal-clear ponds, a huge swimming pool...
Every section of the property was enormous.
Calling it a private estate rather than a villa wouldn't have been an exaggeration.
Although located on the outskirts of Kyoto, it was obvious at a glance that it was worth an astronomical sum.
"Master Jiang, this way."
Tang Hecai made a welcoming gesture.
Jiang Ning smiled.
"President Tang, we're business partners now. There's really no need to be so formal."
"Haha, come inside."
Tang Xiachuan warmly took Jiang Ning by the arm.
"This villa is usually occupied only by the housekeepers and the gardeners. No one will disturb you here."
Accompanied by Tang Xiachuan and Tang Hecai, Jiang Ning entered the villa.
The interior was magnificently decorated.
It was immediately obvious that Elder Tang had spared no expense.
The marble flooring, the murals, the chandeliers, the luxurious sofas, the wine cabinets...
Everywhere one looked, extravagance radiated from every detail.
Tang Xiachuan couldn't hide his pride.
"Master Jiang, what do you think of my villa?"
"I invested a full three hundred million yuan into the renovation. From the design to every fixture and furnishing, I never worried about the cost."
Jiang Ning nodded.
"It really is luxurious. Very impressive."
Hearing the praise, Tang Xiachuan became even more excited.
"Come! Let's visit my study."
"I've got quite a collection of antiques there."
With that, he eagerly led Jiang Ning toward the study.
The moment Jiang Ning stepped inside, the fragrance of sandalwood mixed with the scent of aged books greeted him.
All four walls were lined with towering walnut bookshelves.
They were filled with thread-bound ancient books, bronze ornaments, and jade artifacts glowing softly under the warm lighting.
At the center of the room stood an enormous agarwood desk.
Upon it rested a Duan inkstone, Huzhou writing brushes, and an eye-catching bloodstone seal.
"Master Jiang, over here!"
Tang Xiachuan walked to a corner and pressed a concealed switch.
A bookshelf slowly rotated aside, revealing a hidden chamber.
Inside, a climate-control system quietly maintained constant temperature and humidity.
Several exquisitely mounted ancient paintings hung on the walls.
"This is the authentic Autumn Wind and Round Fan by Tang Yin."
"And over here is a copy of Wu Daozi's Eighty-Seven Immortals Scroll. Although it isn't the original, it's a Song Dynasty copy by a renowned artist—still extremely valuable."
Tang Xiachuan proudly introduced each treasure one by one.
Jiang Ning slowly approached the paintings, carefully examining every delicate brushstroke.
Suddenly, his brows furrowed.
His gaze fixed on the lower-right corner of Autumn Wind and Round Fan, where there was an almost imperceptible patch of ink bleeding.
His expression grew serious as he studied it with intense concentration.
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
New Addition:
" Little Joy: The Worse I Behave, the Stronger I Get "
" The Blessed Beauty's Endless Heirs "
" Houtarou Oreki in the Classroom of the Elite "
" Rebirth: The Top Financial Empire—Recruit Employees (18+) "
" Naruto: Fourth Raikage—You Know My Methods Better (18+) "
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
many more are available 105+
patreon.com/RoyalStories
(End of Chapter)