I Am Already A Queen

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Advice Her To Eat More

Qiao Meixia quietly finished her porridge, silently taking in the surrounding warmth. And for the briefest moment, the tiny corners of her lips curved upward into a faint, almost invisible smile.

Following breakfast, the family remained seated around the long dining table for quite some time. Old Madam Jiang was visibly reluctant to let Qiao Meixia leave so soon. She kept lovingly piling various delicacies into her granddaughter’s dish, making Qiao Meixia secretly wonder if her grandmother was attempting to feed her enough to last an entire week.

"Grandma, I am completely full." Qiao Meixia finally spoke up, setting her utensils down.

"You only consumed a single bowl of seafood porridge and a few small side dishes. How on earth can you be full? You ought to eat much more." Old Madam Jiang insisted, her brow furrowing slightly in disapproval.

"I am truly stuffed." Qiao Meixia stated deadpan, gently rubbing her slightly rounded stomach to prove her point.

"In that case, you can at least manage some fresh fruit." Old Madam Jiang declared, immediately sliding a beautifully prepped platter of freshly sliced tropical fruit directly before Qiao Meixia.

Qiao Meixia stared down at the colourful assortment of sliced fruit, then looked up at her grandmother’s resolute face. She genuinely could not fathom why the old matriarch was so fiercely determined to force-feed her so much food. Was she attempting to fatten her up like a prize pig?

Sitting across from them, Jiang Fenfang covered her mouth with both hands, desperately smothering a burst of giggles. Her quiet cousin was simply too adorable.

"Cousin Meixia, just eat a piece." Jiang Fenfang advised around her muffled chuckles. "Grandma has been waiting for a chance to shower you with food ever since you stepped through the door."

"Is that true?" Qiao Meixia asked, turning her dark eyes toward Old Madam Jiang.

"Of course it is!" Old Madam Jiang acknowledged without a moment’s hesitation. "You have finally returned to our family after all these long years. Grandma just wants to ensure you are properly nourished."

Old Master Jiang set his teacup down and added warmly, "We would love nothing more than for you to stay here with us full-time, child. However, that would not be entirely appropriate right now. You have only just returned to the family, so it is important for you to spend time strengthening your bonds with your parents and siblings at the main residence. We simply hope you will come share your weekends with us."

"I see..." Qiao Meixia nodded quietly.

Understanding their good intentions, she picked up a silver fork, selected a piece of crisp fruit, and ate it. It was wonderfully sweet and refreshing.

"That’s a good girl." Old Madam Jiang beamed instantly, her face lighting up with satisfaction.

Sitting nearby, Jiang Suhan quietly observed the sweet interaction between the matriarch and his younger sister. The subtle corners of his lips curved upward into a faint, affectionate smile. From what he had observed since her return, Qiao Meixia had clearly grown accustomed to relying solely on herself in complete isolation. Yet now, she was gradually learning to adapt to having loving family members fuss over her. It was a deeply comforting transformation to witness.

"By the way, Meixia." Old Master Jiang spoke up, shifting the conversation. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"

Qiao Meixia swallowed her bite of fruit before responding neutrally. "Nothing in particular. I was thinking of simply staying indoors."

"Nothing at all?" Jiang Fenfang’s eyes sparkled with sudden excitement. "In that case, Cousin Meixia, let’s go out shopping together!"

Qiao Meixia turned her head toward her energetic cousin. "Shopping?"

She was entirely unaccustomed to roaming around physical retail stores just to purchase items. Whenever she required something in her past routines, she simply opened her phone, accessed her preferred digital shopping applications, and placed an order within seconds.

"Yes!" Jiang Fenfang nodded enthusiastically. "There are so many wonderful commercial spots nearby. We can head to the high-end shopping mall, try some famous desserts, catch a movie, and maybe buy a few stylish outfits for you!"

"I do not require any more clothes." Qiao Meixia shook her head firmly.

"Then we can shop for other interesting things!" Jiang Fenfang countered cheerfully.

"Like what?" Qiao Meixia tilted her head slightly in genuine confusion.

Jiang Fenfang found herself temporarily rendered speechless. She had fully anticipated that Qiao Meixia might outright reject the invitation, but she had never expected her cousin to so earnestly inquire about what specific items they could buy.

"Anything your heart desires!" Jiang Fenfang declared triumphantly.

"I do not know what I like." Qiao Meixia replied flatly.

Jiang Fenfang stared at Qiao Meixia in stunned silence for several seconds. Then, she slowly turned her head toward Jiang Boqin.

"Brother, I strongly believe Cousin Meixia desperately needs us to teach her how to properly enjoy herself." Jiang Fenfang stated with utmost gravity.

"I wholeheartedly agree." Jiang Boqin nodded, matching her solemn expression.

Qiao Meixia looked back and forth between the dramatic siblings, completely at a loss for words.

"Is such a thing truly necessary?" Qiao Meixia asked.

"YES!" Jiang Fenfang and Jiang Boqin shouted in perfect, resounding unison.

The entire dining room instantly erupted into laughter. Even Old Master Jiang could not help but chuckle softly into his napkin.

"Go along with your cousins, Meixia. You are still so young. There is absolutely no need to spend all your spare time engaged in intense physical training or locking yourself in a room." Old Madam Jiang said softly, patting her granddaughter’s head with deep affection.

Qiao Meixia instinctively cast a subtle glance toward Jiang Suhan. Understanding her unspoken question instantly without her having to utter a single word, Jiang Suhan offered her a gentle out.

"If you truly prefer to decline, you are under no obligation to go." Jiang Suhan advised softly.

Jiang Fenfang immediately turned her big, hopeful puppy-dog eyes back onto Qiao Meixia, folding her hands in silent pleading.

"I can go." Qiao Meixia finally relented, giving a small nod.

Jiang Suhan was mildly surprised by her quick acquiescence. Qiao Meixia rarely agreed to social outings so effortlessly. Still, seeing her willing to step out of her comfort zone was an undeniably wonderful development.

Jiang Fenfang practically bounced in her seat with sheer joy. Her classic manipulative puppy-dog gaze had proven victorious once again.

"Wonderful! Let’s head out the moment we finish up here." Jiang Fenfang cheered.

"Hold your horses." Old Madam Jiang interjected, raising a hand to halt their momentum. "You two cannot possibly take her out dressed like that."

Qiao Meixia blinked, feeling thoroughly puzzled. Beside her, Jiang Fenfang looked equally confused. Both young women turned their gazes back to the matriarch.

"Why not, Grandma?" Jiang Fenfang asked.

"Meixia has only recently returned to our family estate. She desperately requires a brand-new, proper wardrobe. Just take a good look at what she is currently wearing." Old Madam Jiang pointed out sharply.

Every eye at the table naturally shifted toward Qiao Meixia, assessing her current attire. Qiao Meixia lowered her head to inspect herself as well. She was dressed in a plain black athletic T-shirt, basic black trousers, and a pair of broken-in, highly comfortable walking shoes. She failed to spot a single flaw with her ensemble.

"What is wrong with what I am wearing?" Qiao Meixia asked plainly.

Old Madam Jiang sighed.

Old Madam Jiang let out a dramatic, long-suffering sigh. "There is nothing inherently wrong with it for daily wear, child. But a young lady of your status requires far more options. You simply cannot wear the exact same few plain outfits day after day."

"I have enough." Qiao Meixia replied.

"Enough for what? You cannot wear the same few sets every day." Old Madam Jiang protested.

"I possess additional clothes at the main residence." Qiao Meixia added logically.

Old Madam Jiang’s eyes narrowed into sharp slits. She plainly did not believe a single word of that statement. In her mind, she felt a strong urge to drag her third son, Jiang Lukang, over and thoroughly berate him. What sort of neglectful father was he?! He could not even bother to properly shop for his own biological daughter’s wardrobe! And her daughter-in-law was just as useless. What an utterly unreliable pair of parents!

"Next time you visit, bring those clothes along. Grandma intends to inspect them personally." Old Madam Jiang instructed sternly.

Qiao Meixia fell into a silent hush, instantly regretting ever bringing up her existing wardrobe in the first place.

"Cousin Meixia, save your breath. You can never win an argument against Grandma." Jiang Fenfang laughed merrily.

"Listen to your elder. You are going to buy plenty of new clothes today." Old Madam Jiang stated with absolute authority.

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