Thinking about having an invincible father, and then thinking about the vast and exciting outside world, Qin Zi was filled with anticipation.
Having a powerful father is truly wonderful!
"Please, both of you, hold on for a moment."
At this moment, a polite voice rang out.
Qin Chuan turned his head to see an elderly man dressed neatly, accompanied by several maids and servants.
"Housekeeper Mu?"
Qin Chuan recognized this old man as the housekeeper of the City Lord's Mansion.
The City Lord's Mansion belongs to the Royal Family, and every large city has a City Lord's Mansion that assists the Royal Family in governing the territories.
Their biggest responsibility is...
To collect taxes!!
Previously, as the patriarch of the Qin Family, Qin Chuan was one of the main taxpayers of Xunyang City, and had some connections with the City Lord's Mansion.
"Patriarch Qin, the City Lord invites you."
Housekeeper Mu said with a smile.
"I'm no longer the patriarch of the Qin Family."
Qin Chuan shook his head and said.
"It's okay, it's just a title. Besides you, no one in Xunyang City is qualified to be called Patriarch Qin."
Housekeeper Mu was seventy percent courteous, thirty percent sincere.
However, in terms of contributions to the Qin Family, the previous Qin Chuan was ranked among the top in the family's history.
During his tenure, Qin Chuan worked tirelessly to expand the Qin Family's business and influence by more than half.
This was also the reason for Qin Chuan's disappointment in the Qin Family.
You eat my food, wear my clothes, spend the money I earn, yet you treat me so coldly, what use are you to me?!
"Does the City Lord have something for us?"
Qin Chuan asked.
"Haha, the City Lord heard that Patriarch Qin is leaving Xunyang City and wanted to see you off, considering the years of friendship."
Housekeeper Mu said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan's mind recalled memories related to the City Lord.
The City Lord of Xunyang City is named Mu Yuncang, with cultivation at the Half-Step Pure Yang Stage, considered the strongest in Xunyang City!
The previous Patriarch Qin Chuan and this City Lord maintained a gentlemanly relationship as light as water.
"Since the City Lord has such intentions, my son and I would hardly decline."
Qin Chuan calculated Mu Yuncang's strength, then smiled and clasped his hands in agreement.
If the other's strength was weaker than his, he wouldn't be bothered to visit, but the other seemed a bit stronger.
This could be exploited a little...
"Patriarch Qin, please."
Housekeeper Mu, unaware of Qin Chuan's little calculations, politely gestured 'please'.
...
Soon, the group arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.
The City Lord's Mansion was grand.
But in general, it was not much different from the Qin Family, as the Qin Family was already an opulent noble family in Xunyang City.
"Brother Qin, long time no see."
The City Lord Mu Yuncang personally came out to greet them with a big smile, giving Qin Chuan great respect.
"Brother Mu, you're too kind."
Qin Chuan responded with a smile and returned the courtesy.
"I heard you're leaving Xunyang City, Brother Qin, so I prepared some humble wine to welcome and see you off."
Mu Yuncang said with a smile.
"Thank you."
Qin Chuan said again.
"Greetings, Uncle Qin."
At this time, a young girl in a white dress, who seemed to be of similar age to Qin Zi, stepped forward and greeted warmly.
"Is this Qian Yun?"
Qin Chuan smiled as he asked, recalling that Mu Yuncang had a daughter, seemingly named Mu Qianyun, whom he met a few years ago.
"Haha, my daughter has mostly stayed indoors and rarely goes out, it's rare that you remember, Brother Qin."
Mu Yuncang smiled gently, then looked at Qin Zi and said, "I heard that Qin Zi, my talented nephew, has recovered from a major illness, his strength greatly increased, even defeating Qin Meng, truly promising!"
"Brother Mu, you flatter us."
Qin Chuan said modestly.
Mu Yuncang looked up at the sun and said, "By the looks of it, it's lunchtime already, let's go in for a meal first."
With that, he eagerly led Qin Chuan inside.
The young girl, Mu Qianyun, was secretly observing Qin Zi, seemingly curious about this boy of the same age...
...
After a while, lunch was over.
The City Lord Mu Yuncang warmly invited, insisting that the father and son stay overnight at the City Lord's Mansion and leave the next day.
Qin Chuan naturally wouldn't refuse.
Exactly what he wanted!!
His goal hadn't been achieved yet, how could he leave?
In the luxurious two-bedroom suite.
Qin Zi was practicing in the room.
Qin Chuan sat in the living room.
He first cast a meaningful glance at the room, giving a warning look to any potential "peeping toms."
Then, calmly took out a small black pill and put it into the teapot.
Then, he began brewing tea.
This small pill was a treasure he had previously purchased at great cost from a pharmacy. It was said to be a rare spirit medicine ruined by a short-sighted apprentice, turned into a small pill.
The only effect of this pill is to make a person lose their senses temporarily and erupt into violence!
It's a slow-acting drug.
Moreover, it requires an hour after drinking wine to take effect. Once it does, it comes like a flood, unstoppable!
Previously, he didn't know how to use this drug specifically, but now he had found a use for it.
It's entirely tailored for setting a trap for his son!
As long as his undeserving son falls into a rage and injures Mu Qianyun, even if it's just a minor scratch, the doting Mu Yuncang would surely hang him up and beat him!
In this way, wouldn't he be able to leverage himself up?
He had observed that Mu Qianyun's cultivation was not weak, comparable to his undeserving son. Even if his undeserving son suddenly attacked, he couldn't inflict too severe damage.
Furthermore, the City Lord's Mansion was not large. Once a fight broke out, it would be discovered instantly, and they would have time to stop it.
So, Mu Qianyun wouldn't be too gravely harmed.
He was a person who clearly distinguished between gratitude and enmity. Since they were invited as guests, he couldn't really let Qin Zi injure the host's daughter.
"Well, just wait for the evening banquet."
Qin Chuan's lips slightly curled, and then he closed his eyes to rest.
Time passed slowly.
In the evening, Qin Zi finished his training and came out of the room looking refreshed.
"You've been training for half the day, have some tea."
Qin Chuan poured a cup of tea and handed it to her.
"Thanks, Dad."
Qin Zi took the cup without a doubt and finished it in one gulp, then exclaimed, "This tea is a bit sweet."
Qin Chuan smiled faintly.
He guessed it was a psychological effect. After all, the small pill he used to brew the tea was for treating kidney deficiency and contained no sugar!
What truly made his undeserving son feel sweetness was paternal love…
"Knock knock knock!"
At this moment, there was a knock on the door.
Then a respectful voice of a maid came: "Patriarch Qin, Young Master Qin, the dinner is ready. Please follow me to the meal."
"Alright, thank you."
Qin Chuan said politely.
"Ah... Patriarch Qin, you're too kind..."
The maid outside the door made an odd sound, seemingly flattered, yet as if missing two words in the middle.
Soon.
Father and son, led by the maid, arrived at the location of the banquet, which this time was on a rooftop terrace.
This was a stone structure, the tallest part of the City Lord's Mansion, and even the tallest in Xunyang City.
Standing here, one could not only have a panoramic view of Xunyang City but also see the Xunyang River outside the city and the evening glow at the horizon.
"Hahaha, Brother Qin, you're here, please have a seat."
City Lord Mu Yuncang said warmly.
After everyone was seated, he said, "Last month, I obtained a bottle of rare wine. Today we'll taste it together."
Finished speaking, he clapped his hands.
Soon, a group of maids began serving dishes, quickly filling the table with a variety of exquisite delicacies, a dazzling array.
Finally, a maid brought out a wine jar, a clay pot sealed with mud, appearing to have aged for a long time.
"Splat!"
Mu Yuncang opened the jar and handed it to his daughter, saying, "Yun Er, you pour the wine."
"Yes, Father."
Mu Qianyun obediently said, then went over to pour wine for Qin Chuan, then Qin Zi, and finally filled her father's cup. As for herself... naturally, she wouldn't drink.
As a well-bred lady, drinking in front of guests would harm her image.
"Brother Qin, let's start with the meal. Good wine goes with good food; it won't taste good when the dishes get cold.
Mu Yuncang said with a smile.
Thus, the banquet commenced.
This banquet was lavish, and the various delicacies made Qin Zi's mouth water, even when the dishes cooled, the maids replaced them with hot ones.
Mu Qianyun was diligently refilling the drinks for everyone, which greatly increased Qin Zi's fondness for this beautiful, sensible peer!
This meal lasted for more than half an hour.
Finally, they were full and intoxicated.
"Brother Qin, how was the banquet? Were you satisfied?" At this moment, Mu Yuncang suddenly asked.
"Very good, thank you Brother Mu for your hospitality."
Qin Chuan grinned and clasped his hands.
"Hmm... Brother Qin, with your intelligence and wisdom, you must have guessed that today I actually have important matters to discuss."
Mu Yuncang said.
Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan chuckled in his heart.
Been waiting for this!!
Otherwise, how could my son have a chance to be alone with your daughter? And then commit the act?
"I understand."
Qin Chuan nodded calmly, then suggested, "How about letting Qianyun take Qin Zi for a walk in the City Lord's Mansion while we talk here."
"Very good!"
Mu Yuncang's eyes lit up, then he smiled at his daughter and said, "Yun Er, take Young Master Qin for a walk in the garden."
"Yes, Father."
Mu Qianyun nodded, then slightly bowed to Qin Chuan, her cheeks slightly flushed as she led Qin Zi away.