The Wang Couple of the Moon Lake Estate was proud to say that they were perfectly normal. They were the last people, in the whole Crimson City, you'd expect to be involved in anything related to cultivation.
Master Wang was a merchant who had many ships under his helm, controlling almost half of the import and export at Crimson Bay. He was a big, beefy man with hardly any neck, although he was very proud of his huge moustache. Lady Wang was thin with natural reddish hair and had nearly twice the usual amount of neck. They had a small son, Wang Yao, and in their opinion, there was no finer boy anywhere.
The Wangs had everything they wanted, but they also had a secret. While anyone else on the entire continent would be proud of it, they were not. They were somehow related to the Ye's but couldn't bear it if someone were to relate them to the Ye family.
Empress Ye and Madam Wang were blood sisters, but they hadn't met for several years. They lived so far away from each other, that even if someone were to know about their relation, he would laugh it off.
The Wangs knew, somehow, that the Ye's had a small son too, but they had never seen him. Truthfully, they didn't even wish to see him, just the fact that he was the Crown Prince of the arrogant Ye Empire, made them feel they should never let their son mix with that child.
In the Wang family, on a dull grey morning, is where our story starts. Master Wang hummed as he got ready to head out for the port, while Madam Wang gossiped away while feeding little Wang his breakfast. There was nothing strange outside that indicated something big was about to happen in this mortal city.
After finishing his plate, Master Wang suddenly froze while getting up. He looked up. Madam Wang had also stopped speaking and staring at him, she asked, "Is it him?"
Master Wang finally stood up with a solemn face and said, "The aura is just too similar, but Why here of all places? We have left behind everything and settled here, among the mortals."
Madam Wang was also stumped at this question since they had told no one, not even their most close confidants about the place they had settled. Well, let alone their location, they were in disguise, so how were they found out?
After a while, Master Wang said, "Maybe we are overthinking? He is just passing by?"
Madam Wang sighed, "Let's hope this is the case, no matter how close we used to be, now it's all in the past."
Just as those words came out of her mouth, a guard came in running, "Master, Madam; apologies for the disturbances, but there's a huge carriage outside the mansion with the word 'Ling' on it." He said in a panicked voice.
Master Wang sighed and said, "Yes, I know". He turned towards his wife and said, "Let's head out, bring Little Wang too. We should welcome our guests."
He got up and headed towards the main entrance. Madam Wang carrying her son, followed him outside. The couple had a solemn face, sensing the weird atmosphere, the child was also silent, which was a bit unreal.
Outside the mansion stood a majestic horse-drawn carriage decorated with gold and sapphires. On its sides were huge silk banners with the word 'Ling' on them. Two rows of guards stood straight on both sides of the carriage. They were already people starting to gather around, poking their heads out of the windows of their home and inns to admire the carriage while also curious about its owner.
While most of them were unaware, some people had their guesses about the owner's identity.
"It looks like the Ling family from the capital."
"But why would they come here? That too, to meet a mortals' family?"
"Even I am stumped at this. They are one of the four great families of the kingdom after all."
While people gossiped, the curtains of the carriage opened, and a middle-aged man came out, with his simple smile and extravagant clothes, everyone around had guessed his identity. He looked around for a moment and finally, his eyes landed on the Wang couple, with no change in his expression, he said, "Good day to you, Master Wang. I am Ling Xianchun, the clan head of the Ling Family from the Capital." He got down from the carriage as he finished greeting the Wangs.
"Ha-ha, welcome Patriarch Ling, this Wang is humbled at your presence," Master Wang greeted back, trying his best to sound as much courteous and respectful as he could.
However, to the crowd around them, this simple exchange of words was quite shocking, not only because of the difference in the status of the two parties but the fact that these two were people of totally different worlds, one was a renowned cultivator and clan head of the biggest clans of the whole kingdom, at the same time, the other was just a mortal merchant from a small city.
"You don't have to lower yourself, Master Wang." Clan head Ling tried to butter up the conversation from his side and said, "It's an honour for me to meet you."
'He knows too?' flashed in the Wang couple's mind before Master Wang said, "Ah! You don't have to be courteous. Please come to my humble abode, let's discuss things over some golden leaf tea."
"Indeed, let's head in." Clan head Ling replied instantly as if he was waiting for Master Wang to invite him all this time. He turned to the side and ordered his guard, "Bring the carriage inside."
As they went inside the mansion, the bewildered crowd dispersed, though soon enough there would certainly be rumours of a connection between the Wangs and the Lings, giving some kind of hidden protection to the Wangs, though, if Master Wang were to know of this 'protection' he would, for sure, just laugh it off.
Soon, the group was inside the Moon Lake Estate, which was not known for its expensive decorations, but its serenity.