A few days later, one morning, Feng Monian walked into Tingfeng Courtyard again.
"Brother Feng, you're finally back. My master would like to have a talk with you. Is it convenient for you?" Li Xi was just about to go out on business when she unexpectedly ran into Feng Monian.
The man looked travel-worn, clearly having just returned from a long journey. Feng Monian smiled and agreed, "Of course, let's go."
Then, he followed Li Xi into the house.
Yesterday, when Old Master Sun came to visit Li Xi, he was surprised to find that the Empress Dowager was also there. Reunited with an old friend, he stayed and chatted with the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager.
The retired emperor was originally staying at the Prince An's residence, but when he heard that the Empress Dowager had moved to Tingfeng Courtyard, he also came to stay there.
At this moment, Old Master Sun was fiddling with some mechanisms in Li Xi's study.
"You've arrived. Who is this?" Old Sun asked, looking at the people Li Xi had brought.
Li Xi poured Feng Monian a cup of tea; the temperature was just right, as he was indeed a bit thirsty.
"This is Master Feng of Yinxian Manor, Brother Feng, and this is Elder Sun, the leader of the Hidden Sect." Li Xi also poured a cup of tea for her master and sat down to the side.
"Master Feng, I have long admired your name. It is an honor to meet you today," said Old Master Sun respectfully.
Feng Monian replied humbly, "Sect Leader Sun is too kind. Monian is just a junior, and I would appreciate your guidance, senior."
Li Xi watched the two exchanging polite words and couldn't help but urge them to get to the point quickly.
Just as she was about to speak, her master interrupted her. He smiled and said, "Master Feng, let's get down to business first."
Feng Monian cupped his hands in agreement.
"Since that's the case, I'll get straight to the point," Elder Sun continued. "The Hidden Sect recently received intelligence that the master of Hidden Sage Manor has defected to the Red Lotus Sect. May I ask, are you that Master Feng?"
Feng Monian remained calm and answered frankly, "It is indeed me. Regarding the Red Lotus Sect, I would like to clarify a bit. The Red Lotus Sect did indeed try to curry favor with me, intending to win over the Hidden Sage Manor. Although I outwardly agreed, I actually sent a decoy to avoid a direct confrontation."
After listening, Elder Sun nodded slightly, indicating his understanding. "The Red Lotus Sect is indeed difficult to deal with. If we are targeted by them, we will suffer their crazy retaliation."
Feng Monian remained expressionless, took something from his pocket, and handed it to Old Sun. Old Sun took it and was so shocked that he couldn't speak.
It was a jade pendant with a red-crowned crane pattern engraved in the middle, which was the gift from the retired emperor he had personally witnessed.
"This..." Old Sun was speechless for a moment.
“This is a token passed down to me by the previous lord of the manor. He said it was a gift from his former emperor,” Feng Monian said without changing his expression.
He knew the origin of the jade pendant. When the retired emperor was in power, he issued a call to arms to the martial arts world, urging righteous men to protect their homes and country.
Yinxian Manor was one of the martial arts forces that responded to the call, and this jade pendant was given by the retired emperor to the manor lord at the time to commend their loyalty and contributions.
Seeing that Elder Sun was stunned, Feng Monian explained, "It's just something my father gave me before he passed away..."
After hearing this, Old Sun remained silent, but his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.
In the blink of an eye, Old Master Sun waved for Li Xi to come over, whispered something in her ear, and then she walked out.
Old Sun remained silent for a moment, his deep gaze sweeping over Feng Monian.
The young man remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic in the face of his questions, which piqued Mr. Sun's interest.
"Did your father leave any instructions before he passed away?" Old Sun asked slowly, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible concern.
Feng Monian nodded slightly. “Father said that although Yinxian Manor is not part of the royal family, it is still a part of the country. This jade pendant represents our manor’s loyalty and responsibility to the country. No matter when or where, we should strive for the prosperity and stability of the country.”
Upon hearing this, a hint of appreciation flashed in Old Sun's eyes.
He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the osmanthus tree outside, and sighed deeply, “The world is in a difficult time, and the country is going through a turbulent period. With passionate young people like you, the country is fortunate, and the people are fortunate.”
Feng Monian breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Old Master Sun's attitude had changed.
He cupped his hands and said, "Elder Sun, you flatter me. The entire manor is ready to offer our humble assistance to Jingyuan at any time."
Old Master Sun turned around, a mysterious smile on his face. "Young man, you have a sense of responsibility and ambition. If you are interested, I would like to introduce you to two distinguished individuals."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Xi walked over with two people. She introduced them to Feng Monian: "Brother Feng, these two are the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus."
Upon hearing this, Feng Monian immediately knelt down and respectfully said, "This humble one, Feng Monian, pays his respects to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus."
Although his actions were sudden, they were full of respect and sincerity, demonstrating his etiquette and demeanor as the master of Yinxian Manor.
The Emperor Emeritus looked at him with satisfaction, "I just heard from Xiaoxi that your father... he raised such a good son. With young people like you all, Jingyuan has a bright future ahead of it!"
Feng Monian humbly replied, "Your Majesty flatters me. I have only done my best to contribute my meager strength to the court."
"Very good, very good." The Emperor Emeritus was extremely satisfied.
The group stayed in the study for half the afternoon before leaving, their faces filled with gloom and despair. Jing Yuan was slowly being devoured by those cults and evil forces.
To express his respect for his guests, Meng Zhelan specially prepared a grand banquet for them and made meticulous arrangements in terms of food, clothing, accommodation and transportation to ensure their comfort and satisfaction.
"Old Sun, we are all getting old, but we still can't let our guard down. This Jingyuan still needs us older generation figures to hold the fort!"
The retired emperor gently raised his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and was filled with emotion.
"The Emperor Emeritus is right. I remain vigilant at all times. For the sake of the country and my family, I am irreconcilably opposed to the Red Lotus Sect." Old Master Sun put down his wine cup, his mind filled with countless thoughts. He gripped the cup tightly, almost crushing it.
The Empress Dowager understood that Jing Yuan appeared calm on the surface, but undercurrents were surging. The Red Lotus Sect's influence had infiltrated every corner, constantly coveting the resources and wealth of this land.
Over the years, they have outwardly appeared to be traveling around, but in reality, they have been secretly searching for ways to eradicate cults.
"Today we gather here to speak freely, without distinction of rank. After all, we have reached this age and have long since seen through the vanities of the world," the Empress Dowager said earnestly, raising her wine cup.
After a few rounds of drinks, everyone went back to their rooms to rest, except for Li Xi and Feng Monian.
"My dear brother, would you be interested in coming with me somewhere?" Feng Monian looked at her with amusement.
"Brother Feng, why don't you call me Xiao Xi too?" Li Xi said helplessly. Hearing titles like "Brother" or "Second Brother" reminded her of the novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
Feng Monian readily agreed, and he took Li Xi at breakneck speed to an underground casino.
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