“You are absolutely right, Master. Our family certainly isn’t short of this bit of silver, but we mustn’t let our reputation be tarnished!” The woman across from him said with a smile, appearing every bit the virtuous wife.
Qin Yan was even more pleased upon seeing this.
This Third Madame had been with him for so many years, yet her thoughtful and considerate nature hadn’t diminished in the slightest, which made him trust her all the more!
In fact, whenever he had business outside, he would entrust all matters of the Qin residence to her, and she always handled them to his utmost satisfaction.
“Master, I have already sent someone to summon this person. After you have met him once, leave such trivial matters to me to handle!” the woman continued gently.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yan smiled slightly and was about to say something when a servant’s announcement came from outside the room.
“Master, Qin Ping has brought the guest. Shall we summon them now?”
“Tell Qin Ping to bring him in!”
After casually giving the order, Qin Yan simply closed his mouth and gave Third Madame an apologetic smile.
“As you wish!” The servant acknowledged and fell silent.
Outside the main hall, Qin Ping entered, followed by a simple-minded young man.
The young man walked while looking left and right, examining everything in the hall as if intensely curious about every object.
When the two reached the center of the hall, Qin Ping reported their arrival and automatically withdrew, leaving the young man alone, somewhat uneasy, facing Qin Yan and his wife.
Seeing the young man’s flustered appearance, Qin Yan and Third Madame exchanged an understanding smile. Then, Qin Yan cleared his throat gently and spoke kindly to the young man, “I heard that you, young brother, have a letter from an elder of the Qin family. Is this true? May I see the letter?”
The young man, Han Li, glanced at the head of the Qin family and hesitated, as if unsure, and asked in return, “Are you really Uncle Qin? My grandfather specifically said that the letter must be handed only to Uncle Qin himself!”
Upon hearing Han Li’s words, Third Madame was taken aback for a moment and nearly burst out laughing.
Who would dare impersonate the head of the Qin family so brazenly in the main reception hall of the Qin residence? This young man’s question was truly amusing!
Qin Yan, too, was stunned for a moment and showed a wry, amused expression.
He had no choice but to say helplessly, “I am indeed the genuine master of the Qin residence. However, whether I am your Uncle Qin or not will have to be confirmed after I see the letter!”
Qin Yan’s somewhat embarrassed expression greatly amused Third Madame, who was watching from the side. She never expected that the head of the Qin family, a man of great renown in Yuejing whom almost everyone knew, would be doubted by a rustic-looking young man. What a strange occurrence!
Upon hearing Qin Yan’s words, Han Li’s face showed a mix of belief and doubt. Finally, he slowly and reluctantly handed over the letter, which was nearly crumpled into waste paper, to Qin Yan.
Qin Yan, who had long grown impatient, resisted the urge to snatch the letter and instead maintained his composure as he accepted it.
However, he did not open it immediately. Instead, he gave Han Li a meaningful glance and suddenly placed the letter on the table, lightly clapping his hands twice.
With two soft “claps,” a white-haired old man in a blue robe immediately entered the hall from outside.
Without a word, Qin Yan pointed to the letter. The old man respectfully stepped forward, picked up the letter, and examined it against the sunlight slanting into the hall. Finally, he placed the letter back on the table with both hands.
“No issues?” After uttering these words, the old man bowed and withdrew. His entrance and exit were both silent, almost ghostlike.
Reassured, Qin Yan glanced sideways at Han Li and, seeing the young man’s confused expression, couldn’t help but smile.
Without offering any explanation, he deftly opened the letter, pulled out the paper, and began reading it carefully.
Seeing this, Third Madame gave Han Li a kindly smile and picked up the teacup in front of her, intending to take a sip.
But before she could raise it to her lips, Qin Yan, who had been sitting and reading the letter, suddenly stood up with a “whoosh,” his face filled with an extremely astonished and peculiar expression.
“Master, what’s wrong? Could the letter be fake?” the startled Third Madame asked as she hurriedly set down her teacup, looking deeply concerned.
“No, the letter is genuine! Moreover, it’s from an elder to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude.” Qin Yan’s expression quickly returned to normal, and he spoke in a calm tone.
Then, after giving his beloved wife a reassuring look, Qin Yan took another careful look at Han Li.
“Is your name Han Li?” Master Qin asked tentatively. Though his tone remained unchanged, the Third Lady faintly sensed that something was amiss!
Just as the woman was growing suspicious, Han Li nodded vigorously and said, “Yes, I am Han Li! Can I stay here, as my grandfather said?”
“Haha! Of course, you can. When I was young, I once met Uncle Huayuan with my father. I never thought I would meet his descendant today. I will treat you as my own nephew.” Qin Yan suddenly burst into hearty laughter, his voice so loud that the nearby servants exchanged puzzled glances, wondering why their master was so delighted in the main hall.
“Come! Accompany me to the side hall to talk about Uncle Huayuan’s recent circumstances? No one else is to follow. I wish to have a good chat with Nephew Han?” Qin Yan grabbed Han Li’s arm enthusiastically and dragged him toward a side door, stopping Third Madame from following.
This left the already surprised Third Madame even more bewildered!
She could only watch helplessly as Master Qin and Han Li exited through the side door, not daring to disobey his orders and follow.
At this moment, her mind was filled with doubts!
Han Li followed Qin Yan to a very secluded side hall.
Without a word, Qin Yan twisted an antique vase used for decoration, and a secret room suddenly appeared in one of the walls.
Seeing this, Qin Yan entered without hesitation. Han Li smiled slightly and followed.
The secret room was small but fully equipped!
It not only had a table and chairs but also a zhang-high sandalwood bookshelf, making it exceptionally refined!
“Since you are someone sent by Immortal Li, you must also be a cultivator? Earlier in the main hall, I was rather impolite. I hope Immortal Han will not take offense?” As soon as Qin Yan closed the secret room door, he apologized to Han Li with a respectful expression.
“It’s nothing. No blame for those who don’t know! Besides, this act must continue.” Han Li casually sat down at the table and spoke indifferently. At this moment, his entire demeanor changed, reverting to his original free and easy aura.
“Thank you for your magnanimity, Immortal!”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yan became even more respectful and remained standing to the side, showing no dissatisfaction.
Qin Yan knew all too well what cultivators were—they were practically living immortals, divine beings!
Moreover, without the support of Immortal Li, the Qin family would never have achieved its current prominent status. Whether out of sentiment or reason, Qin Yan dared not show any disrespect.
“Master Qin, please sit. There’s no need to be so polite! The Immortal Li you speak of is actually my master, so to the Qin family, I am not an outsider.” Han Li said with a smile.
“I dare not. I am but a mortal—how could I be disrespectful to an immortal? I will stand here and listen to Immortal Han’s instructions.” Qin Yan repeatedly waved his hands, refusing to sit. This made Han Li ponder for a moment before he stopped insisting.
“Might I ask why Immortal Han has come here? Immortal Li’s letter only mentioned your identity but didn’t specify the reason. Could you enlighten me?” Qin Yan cautiously asked the question that concerned him most.
According to his father’s final instructions, Immortal Li, who had greatly benefited the Qin family, would only appear personally or send someone to help when the Qin family faced insurmountable danger. Could it be that the Qin family was about to encounter another major trouble?
Han Li glanced at the anxious expression on the Qin family head’s face, thought for a moment, and then said carefully, “The matter is like this. It actually involves cultivators from other countries. We received news that…”
Han Li calmly explained, in terms most accessible to mortals, that the Six Devilish Sects might target the Qin family, shocking the Qin family head.
After a long while, Qin Yan stammered, “S-so… foreign cultivators are going to target us mortals? Wh-what should we do?”
The head of the Qin family appeared utterly flustered.
Han Li smiled faintly and calmly reassured him, “Master Qin, there’s no need to worry. The cultivators who have infiltrated Yue Country won’t be very powerful. With me here at the Qin residence, they won’t succeed easily!”
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