"Grandson Qingsang pays respects to Grandfather." Before his own grandfather, Yan Qingsang was casual and relaxed, entirely at ease.
Yan Wanjun looked at his grandson and sighed inwardly. He had two sons — one of middling talent, the other locked away in the Infinite Prison. Now all he had left was this sole grandson, and thanks to his doting affection, the boy's personality had become rather inflexible, his conduct somewhat immature.
Still, this ancient jade gathering had finally given him something to be proud of.
"Qingsang, you've done this old man proud this time. Those in the clan who had nothing but bad things to say about you — well, they're like dogs trying to bite a hedgehog, with nowhere to sink their teeth in. Ha ha ha!"
Yan Wanjun's face showed a trace of satisfaction as he spoke. Before setting out for Myriad Abyss Island, he had fought tooth and nail to secure a spot for Yan Qingsang.
In truth, before their departure, Qingsang's inclusion had been highly controversial. Many of the clan's elders felt that Yan Qingsang was too blunt in character, too rigid in speech and action, lacking the flexibility needed for travel. They feared he would fail to fit in and become an unstable element.
And indeed, Yan Qingsang's performance at the Jade Relish Tower had seemed to confirm their worst fears.
However, at the ancient jade gathering itself, Qingsang had shone brilliantly — his haul alone was nearly equal to the combined total of several other participants.
This left those who had been spoiling for an excuse to trouble Qingsang utterly frustrated, with their grievances nowhere to vent.
Yan Wanjun was quite pleased with this outcome. He felt his grandson had truly given him face, allowing him to hold his head high within the clan.
"Grandfather, don't praise me for this. If we're talking about credit, between the two of us I won't beat around the bush — it was mostly Brother Shao Yuan's doing."
Yan Qingsang was utterly casual with his grandfather.
Jiang Chen quickly interjected, "Brother Yan is gifted and modest — those qualities shouldn't be overlooked. Anyone else might not have had such a smooth outcome."
Yan Qingsang blushed. "Brother, pick your words a bit more carefully when you're praising someone. Gifted, modest — I feel I don't deserve any of that."
Jiang Chen smiled but said nothing.
Yan Wanjun scolded with a laugh, "You rascal, you never take anything seriously. Over thirty years old and still this unreliable. Why don't you learn from your brother here?"
"I am learning from him! I've picked up a lot about ancient jade."
"Nonsense — I wasn't telling you to learn ancient jade knowledge. Young Shao Yuan's bearing and temperament — have you learned that? I'm telling you, when it comes to conducting yourself in the world, you still have a great deal to learn!"
Though Yan Wanjun appeared to be reprimanding him, his gaze was brimming with indulgence.
Jiang Chen watched this with quiet resignation. He finally understood why Yan Qingsang had such a multifaceted personality — it was all his grandfather's doing. Since ancient times, it was said that a too-indulgent mother would ruin a son; in this case, Elder Yan Wanjun was a too-indulgent grandfather ruining his grandson.
Still, this was their family affair, and Jiang Chen had no right to comment.
"Young Shao Yuan, this old man has a rather bold request." Yan Wanjun turned his gaze to Jiang Chen, eyes alight with interest, his tone serious.
"If the Elder has any instructions, please do not hesitate to speak," Jiang Chen said promptly.
"I wouldn't call it instructions. I merely hope that in the future, you'll continue to guide Qingsang. In terms of raw talent, even if this boy isn't the best in the clan, he's certainly in the top tier. But his character still has flaws — he lacks a certain amount of tempering. So going forward, I'd appreciate it if you'd look after him in that regard. The two of you should support each other in the clan and strive to make your mark."
"Of course," Jiang Chen nodded.
"Ai, Qingsang has never been popular in the clan. He looks down on this one, thinks that one's not good enough. It's rare for him to take a liking to someone the way he has with you."
Yan Wanjun was genuinely moved. This grandson of his had been a constant source of worry. His two sons' fates were already sealed. Only this grandson was still young, still malleable.
Yan Wanjun had placed great hopes in Yan Qingsang, earnestly hoping the boy would carve out a name for himself. But the truth was, among the clan's younger generation, Qingsang's cultivation didn't even rank in the top five — let alone the top three, or any prospect of challenging Yan Zhenhuai.
And even Yan Zhenhuai, widely acknowledged as the clan's foremost young talent, was merely middling among the great powers of the Eternal Sacred Kingdom.
In truth, Yan Wanjun knew that among the Yan clan's younger generation, the most gifted was not Yan Qingsang, not Yan Zhenhuai, not anyone else.
It was his granddaughter, Yan Qinghuang.
But whenever he thought of her, his heart ached as though cut by a knife. His son had brought this upon himself, yet his granddaughter was innocent. Yan Wanjun had bowed to the greater good, unable to resist the clan's collective will.
But at the end of the day, he carried a deep sense of guilt toward Qinghuang. If there had been any other way, he would never have been willing to sacrifice his granddaughter for the clan's benefit.
Yet, acting alone, he truly had no choice. Internally, he could not defy the clan. Externally, he could not defy the Xiahou family.