This dashing young prince naturally had no idea what Han Li was thinking. With refined courtesy, he chatted with several Qin family youths he was acquainted with, making two of the young ladies blush, clearly smitten.
Seeing this, Han Li inwardly sneered.
This young prince was definitely trouble. If these Qin family women truly threw themselves at him, they would certainly come to no good end.
Even if this young prince devoured them whole, bones and all, Han Li wouldn’t find it the least bit strange!
A short while later, Prince Xin apologized to Qin Yan and the other two, then took the young prince to socialize at the next table. This left the Qin family members who had been happily chatting with the young prince, as well as the old man Hua’s grandson and granddaughter, visibly disappointed.
Meanwhile, Han Li took advantage of the inattention to gaze at the young prince’s retreating figure, a contemplative gleam flashing in his eyes.
The banquet finally concluded a little over two hours later.
The satisfied guests began bidding farewell to Prince Xin and his son.
Qin Yan, along with Han Li and the others, mingled among them, offered their parting words, and directly exited the main gate of Prince Xin’s mansion.
Just as Old Master Qin was about to board the carriage they had arrived in, Han Li suddenly asked a question that left Qin Yan stunned.
“Uncle Qin, who are those two people? Could you tell me about them?”
Though Han Li spoke politely, Old Master Qin didn’t dare neglect him. He quickly turned to look and said, “Which two are you referring to, Nephew Han? Ah, isn’t that Old Master Xiao! He’s the owner of the famous Idle Cloud Tavern in Yuejing City, a very low-key person. I’m not very familiar with him. As for the young man beside him, he looks unfamiliar—probably one of his grandsons.”
Qin Yan wore a surprised expression upon seeing the old and young man Han Li was looking at, wondering why Han Li had taken an interest in them.
“I see. Uncle Qin, please go on ahead. I’ll walk for a bit and return to the residence later.” Han Li nodded thoughtfully and spoke casually. Then, without waiting for Qin Yan to respond, he slowly made his way toward a small path along the side of the mansion’s wall.
Qin Yan stared blankly at Han Li’s retreating figure, then glanced at Old Master Xiao in the distance, who was sneakily looking their way, feeling somewhat puzzled. But after a moment’s thought, he decisively boarded the carriage and ordered his trusted coachman to drive off.
Thus, the Qin family’s several carriages left the front gate of Prince Xin’s mansion and hurried toward the Qin residence in the eastern district.
The young masters and misses of the Qin family, completely unaware of Han Li’s disappearance, were still discussing the day’s events at Prince Xin’s mansion in the carriages behind.
They were incredibly excited! Though they hadn’t managed to form any immortal connections, they felt this was definitely something to boast about to their peers upon returning.
Meanwhile, Han Li, after walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, finally arrived at the rear gate of Prince Xin’s mansion along its high walls.
The tall rear gate was tightly shut, with not a soul in sight.
Han Li smiled, thinking it was just as well, saving him the trouble of using any concealment spells. He stood boldly in front of the rear gate, idly looking up at the sky.
After a while, Han Li seemed to drift into a daze, as if lost in thought.
Suddenly, he sensed someone timidly approaching from afar and lowered his head, casting a cold glance.
He saw Old Master Xiao and the young woman in male attire coming around from the other side of the mansion. When the old man spotted Han Li, he froze, a hesitant expression on his face. The young woman, however, looked curious without a trace of fear.
Perhaps the old man had figured something out, as his expression quickly calmed, and he strode over with the young woman following behind.
“This junior, Xiao Zhen, thanks Senior for showing mercy inside the mansion! If I have offended in any way, I am willing to apologize.”
Upon reaching Han Li, the old man still couldn’t gauge Han Li’s cultivation level. Shocked and even more awed, he took the initiative to perform a courtesy and respectfully offered his apology.
Han Li accepted the courtesy without changing expression, then said indifferently, “Instead of secluding yourself in a place rich with spiritual energy for arduous cultivation, why appear in Yuejing City? Could it be you’re attached to the mortal world’s glamour and reluctant to continue cultivating?”
Without bothering with details, Han Li first slapped a big label on the old man to easily overpower him in presence and make subsequent matters easier to handle.
Senior misunderstands. This junior is too old and has basically no hope of building a foundation. I was assigned by my family to manage worldly assets and am not staying here long-term.
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