Chapter 1233: Eastern Residence (I)

The crowd raised their cups in celebration. Li Chengzai, wearing a colorful scarf, was brimming with confidence, while Li Xixuan kept scanning the crowd, counting the number of guests. Any sense of ease he once had outside the courtyard had long been thrown to the clouds.

The Chen and An Families didn't send anyone... that's still understandable... but the families of Li Chengdan and Li Chengpan didn't even send greetings... there are barely any prominent guests from the main lineage...

Li Xixuan watched quietly, not particularly surprised, as he felt the last trace of false hope vanish. He moved from the bright, lively outer courtyard to the dark, unlit hall inside and saw a few children squatting in the corner. Raising his pale, plump hand, he said softly, "Bring the third one back to me!"

Before long, Li Chengzai, still wearing his colorful scarf, walked into the courtyard, looking displeased. When he saw his father's grim expression, he tried to reason with him, "...I've already asked around. Chengdan was sent into Milin by the old elder, and Chengpan is near Zhouluo. It's reasonable that they couldn't come. Why the long face, Father? You'll make everyone uncomfortable."

Li Xixuan shot him a glare and scolded, "You know nothing. I may not be a cultivator and couldn't tell what kind of fire that was in the sky that day, but several cultivators said the eldest young master, Li Jiangqian, broke through and came out of seclusion. Li Zhouluo may seem amiable, but Li Jiangqian certainly isn't!"

Li Chengzai frowned as his father continued, "Our Eastern Residence is the poorest of them all. We had no choice but to take the lead. We were the first to step forward, and once those above withdrew, everyone else divided the spoils neatly and scattered like the wind, leaving us who stuck our necks out to be cut down. Now, no one dares to show up."

Having grown up in the residence and having always relied on his father, Li Chengzai panicked. "What? How can that be? We went to Qingdu together; we all received the conferment; and now they just abandon us? Who will ever dare take the lead again?"

Li Xixuan replied, "You speak easily. When those above decide to suppress you, they'll always find countless excuses and reasons that please both sides. And when punishment comes, it's always the leaders who get beaten. If we don't make some preparations, we'll suffer for sure."

Li Chengzai nodded repeatedly, but Li Xixuan's brows remained furrowed as he continued, "Back then, people favored us because everyone had their eyes on the conferment. But now that it's over, we're like a phoenix plucked bare. Fortunately, we made some plans earlier... the children's achievements and merits are real, with little embellishment.

"You don't need to act rashly on this matter. Just behave honestly and keep your heads down. None of you can win against them. We can only rely on Minggong’s reputation and stay humble. I'll go to the hall later to plead guilty myself. Let everything come at me. At worst, I'll suffer some hardship, but there will be no danger to my life."

Li Chengzai hesitated and said, "Every household is celebrating right now. Father, if you go up the mountain, wouldn't it seem ill-timed? We'll all lose face, and why make it look as if we've done something wrong? This little bit of conferment we received is already far less than what others got..."

Li Xixuan's face hardened. "How is it ill-timed? Right now, Li Zhouluo is still in power, and Li Jiangqian has just come out of seclusion. If we don't go now, when will we? Should we wait until Li Jiangqian's blade is already at our throats? Once he loosens his stance now, he'll have to restrain himself later when dealing with us!"

"

Oh...

" Li Chengzai spoke with some doubt, "The eldest young master... is returning to the island?"

Li Xixuan let out a bitter laugh. He said nothing more, shook his head, flung his sleeves, and walked out. The front courtyard was crowded with guests, so he had no choice but to leave through the rear gate. The morning mist was still cold, and Li Xixuan pulled his sleeves tight around himself. His round, pale face looked blank.

After fighting for this and that, not a single person feels grateful. All this talk about conferments, but how many have truly made something of themselves? Only Minggong in the Eastern Residence is a cultivator. I'm just counting the days now; this is as far as I can help them...

Li Xixuan was the most anxious among all the family elders, for there were simply too few cultivators in Yuanwan's lineage! After Li Xuanxuan, the other lineage under Li Chengdan's Yuandu Western Residence had Li Zhoufang and Li Zhouyang before, Li Xinghan and Li Xingsai after, and even Li Queyi of the Purple Smoke Gate. As long as there were cultivators, they could split their estates peacefully and never fall to the outer fringes of the island.

The Western Residence had several lineages, and the leading brothers, Li Zhoufang and the rest, were all cultivators. Whether striving for conferment or seeking outside posts, things were far easier for them. Every family member they placed outside became another path for the future; the more they arranged, the easier it became. Unlike him, Li Xixuan, who had to struggle alone to find a way out for his descendants.

If his children and grandchildren couldn't cultivate, so be it, but even their hearts lacked will and ambition. How could Li Xixuan not feel dejected? He hunched within his robes against the morning chill, his whole body cold and unsteady on his feet. Though music echoed through the streets, sorrow filled his heart.

The road from the Eastern Residence to the main hall wasn't far, but the hall sat high on the hill and it was enough to leave any mortal drenched in sweat. Li Xixuan usually traveled by sedan chair, but since he had slipped out in secret, he could only wait by the roadside and flag down a carriage.

There were plenty of carriage drivers and messengers in the island, but such work was undignified. Direct descendants rarely took those jobs unless they were desperate. Most drivers were family members or servants of cultivators who had been elevated into the main lineage, working to support their households.

He climbed into the small carriage, finally feeling a bit of warmth. Dozing on and off as it rocked along, he lost track of time until the air grew warm. Then he heard a shout from outside, "Master! We've arrived!"

When he lifted the curtain, Li Xixuan saw a vast cluster of towering palaces. He began to step out, but age had stiffened his back and legs, so he struggled to dismount. Just then, a cool sensation brushed his waist; a pair of fair hands had caught him by the back and gently helped him down.

He steadied himself on the ground, exhaled deeply, and looked up. His eyes traveled up a pair of plain black boots, unadorned and smooth to a crimson robe trimmed with gold, fluttering lightly in the wind. Raising his gaze a little higher, he saw a pale face with long brows.

Beneath those dark brows were golden eyes, gazing at him with a faint smile.

Li Xixuan's breath caught, his heart tightening in an instant,

Eldest young master?

The lean Li Jiangqian towered over the elder. Golden-yellow flames burned faintly upon his black hair, giving off a soft glow. Supporting Li Xixuan firmly, he clasped the old man's plump hand warmly and said with a smile, "What a coincidence, meeting you here of all places... may I ask what brings you here?"

Li Xixuan felt his heart go cold under that gaze. How could he say that he had deliberately left without his sedan chair, sneaking out through the side gate, to catch the hall unprepared? Forcing a calm smile, he replied, "The conferment matter was just announced. I came to pay my respects to the family head and express my gratitude for his grace..."

"

Oh!

" Li Jiangqian shook his head and laughed as they walked toward the main hall. "You are far too humble, elder. Though I've cultivated for a few years, I still have much to learn from you! I had thought that once our family members gained their conferments, they would grow proud and indulge themselves. But seeing you today, so consistent in word and deed; how fortunate the Eastern Residence is to have an elder like you teaching them, don't you agree?"