I Am Already A Queen

At first, Qiao Meixia suspected it was the same black sedan from the previous evening, but a quick glance revealed an entirely different automobile, a far more luxurious, ultra-high-end limousine sedan.

This time, the front license plate was fully visible, though the heavy privacy tinting across the side glass remained completely opaque.

The luxury vehicle trailed her steadily until she entered the exclusive, heavily fortified residential sector where the ancestral estate was located. Qiao Meixia anticipated it would continue following her, but to her surprise, the vehicle signalled and continued smoothly down the main boulevard instead.

Qiao Meixia relaxed her posture slightly. Since the car had passed through the outer district’s military-grade security checkpoint without hindrance, the occupant was clearly a high-ranking resident or an invited guest with legitimate clearance. The brief encounter was likely just a coincidence.

Minutes later, she pulled up to the grand wrought-iron gates of the Jiang Ancestral Residence. The guard post on duty immediately signalled her to halt for verification.

Qiao Meixia flipped up her visor and stated her name flatly. The moment the words left her mouth, the head security guard froze, before instantly straightening his posture and bowing ninety degrees.

"Welcome home, Young Miss Meixia!" The guards chorused in unison.

Qiao Meixia blinked, caught slightly off guard by the elaborate reception.

Noticing her brief hesitation, the head guard stepped forward politely, offering a respectful explanation. "Old Master and Old Madam have personally briefed the entire security detail regarding Young Miss Qiao’s return. We have all been provided with your authorisation profile. Once again, welcome home, Young Miss."

"Hmm..." Qiao Meixia gave a calm nod.

"Please proceed directly through the main drive, Young Miss." The guard added, signalling his team to raise the heavy barricades.

Qiao Meixia nodded in acknowledgement and coasted her superbike down the long, tree-lined avenue leading toward the historic main mansion.

As her engine noise faded into the distance, the guards at the gate post immediately began whispering among themselves in hushed excitement.

"Man... Young Miss Meixia looks insanely cool riding that bike!"

"Seriously! What model even is that? That deep purple finish is gorgeous."

"I have never seen a frame like that in any commercial catalogue. It’s definitely a custom, limited-edition build."

"Tsk, must be nice having the Jiang bloodline. Rich kids really live in a different world."

"Wait, isn’t that a bit weird though?"

"What’s weird?"

"I heard rumours from the main house staff that her biological parents are not fond of her at all. Where would she get the money for a custom machine worth millions?"

"What’s so strange about that? Even if Master Lukang and Madam Feng are blind, Old Master and Old Madam dote heavily on their biological granddaughter. They probably bought it for her!"

"Ah... that makes total sense."

The guards continued their quiet gossip, watching the tail-lights of the dark purple superbike vanish into the estate’s lush greenery.

Qiao Meixia brought her superbike to a smooth stop right in front of the grand entrance. A house servant quickly marched over, ready to reprimand whoever had the audacity to park a noisy motorcycle directly before the steps of the Jiang Ancestral Residence. However, the moment Qiao Meixia unlatched her helmet and took it off, revealing her icy, striking features, the servant froze mid-step, instantly recognising the newly acknowledged Young Miss.

Qiao Meixia dismounted with practised ease.

"Where should I park my motorcycle?" Qiao Meixia asked calmly.

Before the servant could find his voice, Old Madam Jiang had already rushed down the marble steps to greet her.

"My dear granddaughter, you’re finally here!" Old Madam Jiang pulled Qiao Meixia into a tight, affectionate embrace. Releasing her slightly, the matriarch turned her around, inspecting her from head to toe with a critical eye. "Let Grandma take a good look at you... Hmmm, you look even smaller than the last time we met. Are your parents not feeding you properly in that house?"

"I eat normally." Qiao Meixia stated deadpan.

"Nonsense, you are far too thin! Don’t worry, Grandma will have the chefs prepare a feast for you later." Old Madam Jiang declared firmly.

"Can I leave my motorcycle parked here?" Qiao Meixia glanced back toward the driveway.

"Motorcycle?" Old Madam Jiang finally turned her attention to the sleek machine resting beside her granddaughter. "Is this yours?"

"Hmm..." Qiao Meixia nodded.

"My word, dear child, you truly are magnificent! This motorcycle is gorgeous!" Old Madam Jiang praised, her eyes lighting up. Though advanced in years, the old matriarch had been quite a free spirit in her youth and had owned several high-performance superbikes herself. "Just leave it parked right here. No one in this household will dare raise an issue about it."

"Hmm... It’s fine... Just park in front of here. No one will dare to question it." Old Madam Jiang stated.

Standing nearby, the servant swallowed hard, silently thanking his lucky stars that he had not opened his mouth to scold her earlier. Had he uttered a single rude word to Qiao Meixia, Old Madam Jiang would have certainly skinned him alive.

"Come along inside." Old Madam Jiang said warmly, taking Qiao Meixia’s hand and leading her into the estate.

As they crossed the threshold into the main hall, Old Master Jiang stepped out of his study, his eyes widening in surprise when he spotted Qiao Meixia.

"Meixia?" Old Master Jiang asked, clearly unaware of her planned visit. He turned to his wife with a frown. "Old Lady, why didn’t you inform me that our granddaughter was coming over today?"

"It makes no difference whether you knew beforehand or not." Old Madam Jiang huffed lightly.

"How can you say it is the same?" Old Master Jiang countered. "If I had known, I could have arranged a grand welcome party for her!"

"And that is precisely why I kept it a secret from you! You always insist on turning everything into a grand spectacle." Old Madam Jiang rolled her eyes before turning to her granddaughter. "Ask Meixia yourself. Do you honestly think she enjoys those noisy events?"

Old Master Jiang looked at Qiao Meixia with hopeful eyes, desperately wishing for an affirmative answer. His heart sank, however, when Qiao Meixia gave a slow, definitive shake of her head.

Extroverted social gatherings packed with fake, scheming strangers were her least favourite environment. Even for the upcoming high-society banquet her father was planning, Qiao Meixia intended to do the absolute bare minimum, show her face, state her name, and instantly vanish into the shadows.

"Oh..." Old Master Jiang muttered, crestfallen when he saw Qiao Meixia shake her head.

"See? Your granddaughter prefers quiet, intimate gatherings." Old Madam Jiang stated triumphantly.

’That’s not quite right either,’ Qiao Meixia thought silently to herself, though she did not bother correcting her grandmother.

"Grandma, Grandpa! We are here!" A loud, cheerful voice suddenly boomed from the foyer, breaking the quiet atmosphere.

Everyone turned toward the grand entrance as Qi Meifeng, Jiang Fenfang, and Jiang Boqin walked into the residence.

"Ah! Cousin Meixia is here too!" Jiang Fenfang squealed with excitement, charging straight toward Qiao Meixia like a runaway train.

Instinctively, Qiao Meixia took a swift step sideways, using Old Madam Jiang as a human shield.

"Cousin Meixia... why are you dodging me like that?" Jiang Fenfang skidded to a halt, looking deeply hurt.

"You idiot, running at her like an attacking bull is going to scare anyone away." Jiang Boqin remarked coolly, rolling his eyes at his sister.

"Oh... is that so? Don’t worry, Cousin Meixia, I would not pounce on you next time!" Jiang Fenfang promised earnestly.

"What brings you all here today?" Old Madam Jiang glanced at Qi Meifeng.

"Fenfang kept nagging that she missed you and wanted to visit." Qi Meifeng smiled warmly. "We had no idea Meixia would be visiting today as well."

Before they could continue, another energetic figure stepped into the hall. It was Jiang Nianzu, Qiao Meixia’s Fourth Uncle.

"Mom! Hey, Mom! Did you secretly buy yourself a new superbike?!" Jiang Nianzu asked frantically, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "That machine out front is absolutely insane! But Mom... can your legs even handle a beast like that at your age?"

Jiang Nianzu shared the exact same boisterous, loud personality as his daughter, Jiang Fenfang.

"That bike does not belong to me." Old Madam Jiang said, shaking her head amusedly.

"Not yours? Then whose is it? Dad certainly does not have the taste for high-end sports bikes." Jiang Nianzu noted, scratching his head.

"It’s mine." Qiao Meixia answered flatly.

The entire Fourth Branch family froze, turning in unison toward the owner of the voice.

"That’s... yours?" Jiang Nianzu gasped in utter shock.

Like his mother, Jiang Nianzu was a massive motorcycle enthusiast and possessed extensive knowledge of high-end automotive specs.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***