Compared to the bustling crowd in front of the Cao residence, the Cai residence was much quieter, with only two or three carriages parked in front.

A thin young man, holding a scroll in his hand, stood expectantly in front of the Cai residence.

When the young man saw Liu Hong and his group approaching, he frowned, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

"Please wait a moment, young master, I'll go knock on the door!"

Upon arriving at the gate of the Cai residence, Dian Wei said something and strode forward.

"Wait!!"

Just as Dian Wei reached the gate of the mansion and was about to knock, the young man stopped him.

The other man glared at Dian Wei with an unfriendly expression: "Don't you know the proper order of things? If you want to enter the Cai residence, go wait behind me!"

As he spoke, the young man glanced at Liu Hong, his expression carrying a hint of provocation.

In his eyes, although Liu Hong looked extraordinary and had a formidable bodyguard like Dian Wei by his side, he was not afraid at all.

After all, this is Luoyang, right under the emperor's nose, and the residential area of ​​many officials. No one would dare to bully others here. Besides, his family's influence is not bad either, so there is absolutely no need to fear the other party.

"Hmph, what a big mouth you have! Who do you think you are, daring to tell my young master to wait behind you?"

Seeing that the other party dared to look at his young master with a provocative gaze, Dian Wei was immediately enraged, staring fiercely at the other party with his eyes wide open.

"How...how can you speak so rudely? You should know that this is in front of the Cai family's residence. How can you be so insolent?"

Upon seeing Dian Wei's fierce expression, the young man, though frightened, did not retreat but instead shouted loudly.

Judging from his appearance, he probably wanted to use this opportunity to lure the people from the Cai family out, and then drive away this ill-mannered scoundrel and Liu Hong and the others.

"You're asking for it!!"

Upon seeing this, Dian Wei's eyes widened, and he was about to lash out when Liu Hong stopped him, saying, "Don't be rude!"

"Yes, young master!"

Upon hearing Liu Hong speak, Dian Wei respectfully agreed, loosened his clenched fist, and took two steps back, returning to Liu Hong's back.

When the young man saw that Dian Wei had been called back, he assumed that the other party was afraid and couldn't help but give Liu Hong a smug look.

Seeing this, Liu Hong simply smiled faintly, but showed no intention of arguing with the other party.

At the same time, the tightly closed gate of the Cai residence creaked open a crack, and an elderly man who looked like a steward walked out.

Upon seeing this, the young man quickly stepped forward and bowed to the Cai family steward, saying, "I greet Steward Cai. I presented my visiting card yesterday!"

Upon hearing this, the Cai family steward merely glanced at the young man before turning his gaze to Liu Hong.

The Cai family steward's previously indifferent face immediately filled with a respectful smile, and he bowed and went to greet Liu Hong.

"Young master, I've been expecting you to arrive. I apologize for not greeting you sooner!"

Liu Hong smiled and waved his hand: "It's alright, I just arrived myself!"

"Please come in, young master!"

The steward of the Cai family also hurriedly bowed and led Liu Hong into the mansion.

The young man felt a sense of unease when he saw the Cai family steward, who had been so arrogant towards him, suddenly become so obsequious to this man.

The young man stepped forward and blocked the doorway: "Butler Cai, I made an appointment with Dr. Cai yesterday, what do you think of this..."

"My husband is busy, please come again tomorrow..."

Upon seeing that the other party dared to stop him, the Cai family steward's face immediately darkened.

You should know that the person following behind you is the current emperor. How could this young man be so blind and dare to block anyone's way?

"I……"

Seeing that the Cai family steward's expression was off, the young man realized what was going on.

A young master who can make the Cai family steward so obsequious and even make the dignified Dr. Cai break his contract must be of extraordinary status, and is definitely not someone I can afford to offend.

Thinking of this, the young man immediately stepped aside and watched as Liu Hong and the others, led by the steward of the Cai family, stepped through the central gate of the Cai family mansion.

"Who exactly is he? Is he also here to see Miss?"

Watching Liu Hong's retreating figure, the young man's eyes were filled with surprise and doubt, while a hint of resentment also lingered in his heart.

Seeing the gates of the Cai residence about to close, the young man hurriedly went up and stopped two servants of the Cai family.

"Could you gentlemen please help me pass this painting on to Dr. Cai?"

As the young man spoke, he handed over the scroll he was holding.

One of the servants hesitated and said, "Young master, we are just servants, we cannot go to..."

Before he could finish speaking, the young man took out a money pouch from his sleeve: "Please help me, two of you. Just say it's Wei Zhongdao from Hedong, and ask Dr. Cai for guidance!"

"Well... okay!"

Upon seeing the bulging money bag handed over by Wei Zhongdao, the servant of the Cai household hesitated only for a moment before accepting it.

"Thank you both. I will come again tomorrow!"

Upon seeing that the other party had accepted the money pouch and the painting, Wei Zhongdao's face lit up with joy, and hope was rekindled in his heart.

In his view, although he might not be as good as the young master who had just entered in terms of family background, he believed he would not lose in terms of talent.

He firmly believed that once Dr. Cai and Ms. Cai saw his paintings, they would definitely look at him with new respect.

After all, in his eyes, a woman from a prominent family like Miss Cai must value talent and learning above all else, rather than being a vulgar person based on family background.

Just as Wei Zhongdao turned to leave with full confidence, Liu Hong also arrived at the back hall of the Cai residence.

As the butler served tea and water, he said respectfully, "Please have a seat, young master. The master is currently teaching the three young ladies their lessons and will be finished soon!"

"No rush!"

Liu Hong smiled, then picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

"By the way, I just heard from that person outside the manor that a visiting card was delivered. Why is Dr. Cai not here?"

Recalling the young man in front of the Cai residence earlier, Liu Hong casually asked.

"Oh, young master, you may not know this, but that young master's name is Wei Zhongdao. He's from the Wei family of Hanoi. He saw my young lady at the theater a few days ago and has been pursuing her ever since. He comes to see her every day, but since she doesn't like him, she instructed me not to inform the master..."

When Wei Zhongdao was mentioned, the steward of the Cai family was full of impatience.

The Cai family today is not what it used to be.

The emperor valued the Imperial Academy, which became an important place for the court to select officials. Naturally, Cai Yong, a professor at the Imperial Academy, also rose in status.

Furthermore, Cai Yong adopted Lü Bu's wife as his goddaughter, and also took the emperor's sworn sister and Dong Zhuo's daughter as his disciples. Such relationships were anything but ordinary.

In other words, Cai Yong now has connections in the palace, the court, and among military generals, and his connections are exceptionally strong.

The Cai family steward naturally didn't think much of the small Wei family.