“You're saying Master Liu has an illegitimate son outside?”
The woman looked at her two children with a amused expression. “I’ve been by Master Liu’s side for so many years, and I’ve never heard of him having any illegitimate children outside. The two of you shouldn’t make wild guesses.”
The woman shook her head repeatedly as she spoke. She knew Master Liu’s character and trusted him.
“Mother, we’re not lying to you. Father is even hosting a family banquet for him! Haven’t you noticed Father’s mood hasn’t been very good lately? Now that person has arrived, and Father’s mood has improved! If you don’t believe us, go see for yourself!”
The woman was stunned, then her expression instantly became serious. “Are you telling the truth?”
Another family banquet, and his mood has improved. If there wasn’t something going on, it would indeed be a bit illogical.
She had been in this household for so many years and had never seen Master Liu host a family banquet for anyone.
After all, all the female family members were required to attend a family banquet.
“This matter is indeed a bit strange. You’ve already seen Master Liu, so if I go now, my intentions will be too obvious. Let’s wait until the evening and see how Master Liu arranges things.”
The woman thought for a moment and decided to wait for the family banquet in the evening.
“Yes.”
Seeing that their backbone had spoken this way, the two of them immediately felt a sense of relief.
With their mother there, they should be able to rest assured… “This is truly strange… I haven’t detected any Demonic Qi around Madam Liu Manor, nor any Yin Qi. What’s going on?”
He Xiuyuan circled Madam Liu Manor, but he still couldn't find any abnormalities, which made him feel very curious.
After thinking for a moment, He Xiuyuan simply started calculating with his fingers.
However, as He Xiuyuan moved his fingers, he couldn't calculate anything.
“My divining technique is still a bit lacking…”
He Xiuyuan calculated and, seeing that he couldn't figure anything out, he sighed, a little emotional.
It would be fine if he could calculate something, but the result was that he couldn't calculate anything at all, which was very strange.
However, it might also be that the thing He Xiuyuan was trying to calculate was quite peculiar, which is why he couldn't figure anything out. That’s also a possibility.
But for now, since he couldn't calculate anything, he could only wait and see.
Thinking of this, He Xiuyuan walked to a pavilion nearby and sat down to rest.
As dusk approached, a servant carefully came up to He Xiuyuan and whispered, “Mr. He, the family banquet Master Liu prepared is ready. Please come.”
“Oh, let’s go then.”
Master Liu had mentioned the family banquet to him before, so He Xiuyuan wasn't surprised by the news. He nodded and agreed to go.
The servant led the way, and after a short while, he brought He Xiuyuan to the Plain Heart Hall, which was where meals were served.
After He Xiuyuan entered, he noticed that the hall was already full of people, who seemed to be Master Liu’s wives and daughters.
He Xiuyuan entered without changing his expression.
When Master Liu saw He Xiuyuan arrive, he immediately came forward to greet him. “Mr. He is here! Please come in quickly!”
“Master Liu, you are too kind!”
He Xiuyuan nodded lightly and followed him in, then glanced at the people around him.
As He Xiuyuan observed the others inside, everyone else was also looking at He Xiuyuan with curious eyes, clearly very intrigued by this stranger.
“Let me introduce everyone, this is Mr. He. He will be staying at the manor for the next few days. No one is to question where Mr. He wishes to go, understood?”
Master Liu pulled He Xiuyuan and began introducing him to everyone.
By the end of his words, his tone had become a bit more severe.
Everyone was stunned by these words, then their eyes showed surprise.
They had heard about He Xiuyuan before and had felt that something was amiss, but some people hadn’t taken it to heart.
But now, Master Liu’s words seemed very unusual.
It sounded like there was clearly something hidden in this matter; otherwise, his treatment of He Xiuyuan would be a bit excessive, wouldn’t it?
“Come, greet Mr. He!”
Master Liu didn't care about the thoughts in their minds. Instead, he pulled Liu Yongyu and the other person in front of He Xiuyuan, telling them to immediately greet him.
Seeing this, the two had strange expressions, but they could only force themselves to call out to He Xiuyuan, “Mr. He!”
“Hmm, these must be Master Liu’s two children, right? They look quite good.”
He Xiuyuan looked at the two in front of him, then smiled and nodded.
Liu Yulu heard this, and a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes. What was this guy saying? He was clearly around their age, perhaps even younger than her, yet he was speaking to her in the tone of an elder.
Was he trying to assert dominance over them before even entering Madam Liu Manor’s main gate, so that once he officially entered, he could naturally suppress them? Was that it?
Liu Yulu thought about it and felt more and more that this was indeed possible. Other than this possibility, she couldn't think of any other.
“Is this the Mr. He Master Liu mentioned? He truly is distinguished in appearance!”
Just then, Madam Liu came over and said with a beaming smile as she looked at He Xiuyuan, appearing very satisfied with him.
Master Liu quickly chimed in, “You’re right. Mr. He, you must have studied before, right?”
Speaking of this, Liu Zonghua also asked curiously.
In his previous conversations with He Xiuyuan, he felt that He Xiuyuan must have read many books.
“I did pass the imperial examination for a xiucai before.”
He Xiuyuan replied upon hearing this.
Master Liu’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he immediately began to praise him. “So Mr. He even passed the xiucai exam, truly impressive! Unlike my children, who simply don’t have that talent.”
At this point, Liu Zonghua couldn't help but sigh.
His praise for He Xiuyuan in the preceding words was genuine, for given He Xiuyuan’s identity, no amount of praise was excessive.
As for his own children, that was the truth.
How could he not know what kind of character his own children possessed?
Although he didn't know what kind of person He Xiuyuan was or what special abilities he had, someone like He Xiuyuan could even spare the effort to pass the xiucai exam, while his own children lacked such ability. Thinking about it, he felt quite helpless.
He didn't ask for much, but if his child had even a little talent, he would be at ease.
At this point, he couldn't help but sigh.
Liu Yongyu’s face darkened upon hearing these words.
From his perspective, He Xiuyuan hadn't even entered Madam Liu Manor, and his father was already starting to suppress him. If He Xiuyuan were to actually come in, would he ever have a chance to shine?
