Chapter 63: Family |
Xiao Jin’s eyelashes trembled; that was his grandfather’s voice.
Soon after, more voices poured out.
“Jin’er? Is it really Jin’er who’s come back?”
“Quick, go take a look!”
“Where’s the Young Master? Is he at the gate?”
The footsteps drew nearer and nearer, and the main gate was suddenly pulled open from the inside.
An elderly man with white hair stood at the very front, leaning on a cane. Behind him followed a middle-aged couple. Behind them crowded several maids, servants, and an older nanny, all craning their necks to peer outside.
The old man recognized Xiao Jin at a glance.
The cane in his hand nearly slipped from his grasp; fortunately, the middle-aged woman beside him quickly supported him.
The old man’s eyes reddened.
Xiao Jin stood where he was, his lips trembling slightly. “Grandfather.”
The middle-aged couple had already hurried over.
“Jin’er!” The woman pulled him tightly into her arms, her voice choked with tears. “My Jin’er, you’ve finally come back…”
The middle-aged man stood nearby, reaching out as if to pat his son’s shoulder. His hand lifted, then fell, and finally landed heavily on Xiao Jin’s shoulder.
“It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back.”
His voice was somewhat hoarse as well.
The maids, servants, and nanny gathered around in a circle, speaking all at once.
“The Young Master has grown thinner!”
“The Young Master must have suffered quite a bit over there!”
“Quick, come inside, come inside! Don’t stand at the doorway!”
Xiao Jin was held in his mother’s embrace, surrounded by the bustling crowd.
After quite some time, he suddenly remembered something.
With difficulty, he raised his head from his mother’s arms and looked to the side.
Lu Fengmian stood a few steps away, a faint smile at the corner of his lips, quietly watching the scene.
Xiao Jin quickly freed himself from his mother’s grasp and strode to his side.
“Grandfather, Father, Mother,” he said solemnly, “this is my Senior Brother, the First Disciple of the Sect Master of Lingyun Sect, Lu Fengmian.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted in unison.
The old man released the maid’s hand and straightened his robe.
Xiao Jin’s father also stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute.
“I did not know that the esteemed First Disciple of Grandmaster Lingyun would honor our humble residence with his presence. Please forgive us for any lack of proper reception.”
Lu Fengmian smiled and returned the courtesy.
“Uncle Xiao is too polite,” he said. “I accompanied my Junior Brother on my own accord. I am the one imposing—please forgive the disturbance.”
“No, no! Please come in, please come in.” Father Xiao hurriedly stepped aside and gestured toward the interior.
The group ushered Xiao Jin and Lu Fengmian inside.
Mother Xiao walked beside Xiao Jin, tightly clutching his sleeve and refusing to let go. As they walked, she spoke incessantly, “You’ve grown so thin. Are you not used to the food outside? Have you suffered any grievances? Why are your clothes so light…”
Xiao Jin did not know which question to answer first and could only shake his head. “No, everything’s fine…”
A nanny followed behind, wiping her tears as she muttered, “The Young Master has finally come back.”
Several maids whispered to one another, saying “The Young Master has grown taller” and “The Young Master is much steadier than when he left,” only to be silenced by a glare from the nanny.
They crossed the front courtyard and entered the main hall.
Xiao Jin’s grandfather stood before the seat of honor and turned to gesture toward Lu Fengmian.
“Young Master Lu, please take the honored seat.”
Lu Fengmian was slightly startled and quickly waved his hands. “Elder Xiao, you’re being too courteous. You are my elder; that seat should naturally belong to you.”
The old man shook his head, his expression serious.
“Young Master Lu, you misunderstand,” he said. “You are the First Disciple of the Sect Master of Lingyun Sect—your status is noble. Though the Xiao Family is not at the center of the cultivation world, we still understand such propriety.”
Father Xiao nodded in agreement. “Young Master Lu need not decline. The Xiao Family is already deeply grateful that you accompanied Jin’er on this journey. If you refuse even this small gesture of respect, we would instead feel uneasy.”
Lu Fengmian looked at the old man, then at Father Xiao, and saw their sincerity.
He no longer declined and seated himself in the place of honor.
Only then did the old man sit in the lower seat, while Father Xiao took the seat opposite. The maids briskly served tea and brought out several plates of delicate pastries.
Watching this unfold, Xiao Jin suddenly realized that his Senior Brother’s status was far more important than he had imagined.
“Jin’er, why are you still standing there?” Mother Xiao pulled him over. “Come, sit beside Mother.”
Xiao Jin came back to his senses and allowed himself to be led to a seat.
After sitting down, he could not help glancing at Lu Fengmian.
Lu Fengmian held a teacup as he spoke with Grandfather, his posture composed—neither humble nor arrogant.
“Was the journey tiring?” Grandfather’s voice drew him back.
Xiao Jin shook his head. “Not tiring.”
“What made you suddenly decide to return?” Father Xiao asked from the side. “Did something happen at the sect?”
Xiao Jin paused and instinctively looked at Lu Fengmian.
Lu Fengmian gave him a slight nod.
Xiao Jin pressed his lips together. “The sect held a secret realm trial. At the end, there was a small issue with the teleportation, and Senior Brother and I were sent near Linzhou. Since we were passing by… we came to visit.”
He spoke very concisely, skipping over all the thrilling events.
Mother Xiao gently wiped the corner of her eye and smiled. “It’s so good that you’ve come back, so good. How many days can you stay this time? What would you like to eat? Mother will cook for you.”
“I…” Xiao Jin began, “I will follow Senior Brother’s arrangements.”
Everyone’s gaze once more fell upon Lu Fengmian.
Lu Fengmian set down his teacup and said, “There’s no rush. My Junior Brother and I have just come out of the secret realm; we do need a few days to rest. If it’s convenient for your family, we’ll trouble you for a day or two. Once Junior Brother Xiao Jin has had enough time to reunite with his family, we’ll set off back to the sect.”
At these words, Father Xiao’s face immediately bloomed with a smile. “Convenient, convenient! Of course it’s convenient! I’ll have someone prepare the guest rooms at once.”
He stood and walked out, giving instructions to the servants as he went.
A nanny approached Xiao Jin with a smile. “Young Master, are you thirsty? The kitchen just made some sour plum soup with ice. Shall I bring you a bowl?”
Xiao Jin shook his head, then somewhat blankly nodded, ultimately unsure whether he wanted any.
Mother Xiao laughed beside him. “This child is utterly muddled.”
Birdsong sounded from outside the window. The old trees in the courtyard were lush with greenery. The sun gradually shifted westward, casting long shadows beneath the corridors.
The sky slowly darkened.
Mother Xiao prepared a table full of dishes and insisted on pulling Lu Fengmian to sit and eat together with them. Lu Fengmian could not refuse and followed them.
The table was laden with bowls and plates: stewed chicken, braised fish, several stir-fried spiritual vegetables, and a pot of aged spirit wine.
Xiao Jin sat beside his grandfather, his bowl piled high with food until he was completely full, nearly unable to eat another bite.
Xiao Jin’s grandfather and father kept Lu Fengmian company in conversation, asking about his experiences in Lingyun Sect and matters of the cultivation world, and Lu Fengmian answered each in turn.
The atmosphere during the meal was lively and warm.
After dinner, the maids cleared away the dishes. A nanny approached Lu Fengmian and curtsied.
“Young Master Lu, the guest room has been prepared. You must be tired from your journey—please go and rest.”
Lu Fengmian rose and thanked her, then followed her out.
Xiao Jin also stood, intending to follow, but was pulled back by Mother Xiao, who said a few more words to him.
Carrying a glass lantern, the nanny led the way to a small, separate courtyard.