Upon learning that her master was safe and sound, Li Xi's search for him came to an end.
"Brother Li, you've finally arrived!" Master Huang greeted them warmly, gesturing for them to sit down. "Young Master An, please have a seat, don't be shy."
After returning to Huangshi Town yesterday, Li Xi asked Prince An to send someone to invite Second Master Huang to a gathering at Qingxi Teahouse today.
Li Xi cupped his hands and smiled, "Thank you for waiting, Brother Huang."
Master Huang laughed heartily and waved his hands repeatedly: "Brother Li, you are mistaken. It is my honor to have Brother Li remember me."
As he spoke, he snapped his fingers, and a servant dressed in blue immediately came over, carrying a jade tray with a pot of hot tea and three exquisite teacups on it.
Master Huang took the jade plate and personally poured tea for Li Xi and Prince An, saying as he poured, "This is Biluochun tea, freshly picked this year. It has a pleasant fragrance. Brother Li, please have a taste."
The aroma of tea filled the air, and the entire teahouse seemed to be enveloped in its refreshing fragrance.
Li Xi picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and immediately felt a fragrant aroma fill his mouth, as if he were in a tea garden in spring. He put down the teacup and praised, "Excellent tea, truly living up to its reputation." Prince An also took a sip and nodded in agreement. Seeing this, Master Huang was delighted and was about to speak when several burly men suddenly burst into the teahouse, looking menacing, heading straight for them.
Prince An took a sip and praised, "It is indeed a fine tea, with a delicate fragrance and a subtle sweetness that leaves a lingering aftertaste."
Upon hearing this assessment, a hint of pride flashed in Master Huang's eyes.
He then smiled and said, "Since Young Master An likes it so much, please have a few more bites. We'll be partners working together in the future."
Master Huang was secretly delighted. It was indeed a rare honor to be able to join forces with Yinxian Manor.
If the cooperation goes smoothly, his status in the church will surely rise rapidly, and his reputation will spread far and wide.
As Master Huang pondered this, his smile deepened. He clapped his hands lightly, and several maids entered carrying exquisite pastries and fruits.
He pointed to the pastries and said, "Young Master An, please try these pastries. They were all carefully made by the chefs in my household. They have a unique flavor when paired with this fine tea."
Prince An nodded his thanks, picked up a pastry, and savored it carefully.
The pastries had a crispy outer layer and a soft interior, sweet but not cloying, with an excellent taste. He exclaimed, "The chefs at Master Huang's residence are truly skilled. These pastries and tea complement each other perfectly, making it an intoxicating experience."
Upon hearing this, Master Huang was even more pleased and said with a smile, "I'm glad you like it, Young Master An. There will be many more delicious dishes for you to enjoy in the future."
Both of them tacitly avoided the topic of the transaction. Is there some deeper meaning behind this?
Li Xi observed quietly from the side, watching them leisurely savor the aroma of tea and enjoy pastries.
“Second Master Huang, we will be setting off for Mu City in a couple of days. I wonder if you have made all the necessary arrangements?” Prince An suddenly asked.
Master Huang put down his teacup, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "I have already made preparations, young master, rest assured, everything is under control. However, the journey is long, so we still need to be careful. I will send some men to accompany us for protection to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
Prince An nodded in satisfaction. He took a sip of tea and continued, "Second Master's handling of matters is certainly adept."
The storyteller's voice drifted down from downstairs, recounting an ancient legend: "In the beginning of chaos, a divine stone was born between heaven and earth, containing boundless divine power. It traveled throughout the world, enduring countless years, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Finally, one day, it shattered, transforming into countless divine stones, scattered in every corner of the world. It is said that these divine stones..."
As Master Huang listened, a thought suddenly struck him, and then his mood became depressed.
Someone couldn't help but interrupt the storyteller out of curiosity: "Old sir, do those divine stones you're talking about really exist in this world?"
The storyteller smiled slightly and stroked his beard, saying, "The world is vast and full of wonders. That divine stone is a spiritual object nurtured by heaven and earth. Although it is difficult to find, it does not mean that it does not exist. However, to obtain the divine stone, one needs immense luck and good fortune."
These words were like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples. The people in the teahouse whispered among themselves, all seemingly quite interested.
Suddenly, Li Xi thought of something and turned to Huang Er thoughtfully, asking, "Brother Huang, was the mysterious meteorite that this gentleman mentioned just now referring to your family heirloom?"
"It's just a rumor. Our ancestors were only passing it on to future generations." He waved his hand, saying only that one sentence lightly.
Li Xi thought about the meteorite in her backpack, and a thought struck her. This Huang Lao Er would never dream that the stone he lost was with her.
If this stone truly possesses the legendary magical power, then keeping it in Huang Lao Er's hands would likely only aid the wicked, preventing it from realizing its true value.
It's like casting a pearl into the dark, or letting a gem be covered in dust. Only those who truly know how to appreciate and utilize it can make its brilliance shine upon the world.
“Interesting, this storyteller does know some principles.” Prince An smiled from the side.
The three agreed to depart at 7:00 AM two days later.
The autumn wind swept through the treetops, and withered yellow leaves fluttered down, like a desolate dance. The cold air filled the air, causing travelers to shiver.
Meng Zhelan asked anxiously, "Xi'er, is there any risk in traveling with these people? We don't know them."
Li Xi comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, they're more afraid of something happening to us. I can sense that some of them are highly skilled in martial arts and have profound inner strength."
She lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at Master Huang and the others behind her.
I never expected that Master Huang would be able to find such an extraordinary expert as a bodyguard.
Among them was a middle-aged man, of average appearance and taciturn. He rode his horse at the very back of the group.
But Li Xi felt a strange sense of familiarity from him, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
His eyes were sharp, as if they could see through everything.
Prince An's carriage was in the middle of the procession, and he unconsciously clenched his fist as he looked at the carriage in front of him.
How could Doctor Meng ride in the same carriage as Li Xi? Although they are sworn relatives, men and women should be treated differently. This is utterly improper.
His gaze was fixed on the carriage in front of him, as if he wanted to see through it, but he had to suppress his emotions.
A flash of light streaked across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder that instantly shattered the silence.
"Young master, there is a dilapidated temple ahead. Should we stop and take shelter from the rain? It seems a downpour is coming." Lu Yi looked up at the sky.
Dark clouds rolled in, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and a torrential downpour was about to begin.
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