Yang Chengrong and his seven brothers also gathered around, with Yang Chengxuan especially excited and happy. Conscious of everyone else around, he silently mouthed the words "Master" with barely a whisper of movement on his lips.

"Welcome back." Watching the nine siblings gathered around him, Weichi Kong's face beamed with a loving smile; his eyes gradually becoming moist as he felt a warm and relieved heart, "Grandpa promised that he would return home safely, and I always keep my word!"

The siblings laughed happily.

Seeing the Yang family's siblings showing such respect and affection for their friend, the elder beside them nodded silently to himself.

No wonder his friend would always speak of the Yang siblings with such joy, and why he couldn't wait to rush back as soon as palace affairs were dealt with. If he were in his shoes, he too would be eager to return home, for this warm and blissful family reunion was precious to them.

Long Xuanmo, with his eyes half-closed, watched the elder with a profound and unfathomable gaze, a hint of cold and fierce air hidden between his brows.

"I did not know it was Jiujiu's birthday today. Grandpa did not prepare anything, so let this 'Cloud and Snow Satin' be a birthday present from Grandpa to Jiujiu," said Weichi Kong as he took out a piece of white silk as thin as cicada wings to give to Yang Mengchen.

Aside from the Yang family's master and servant, everyone else gasped in shock.

Nearly a hundred years ago in Dong Chu, there was a renowned heroine named Murong Yunlian, who could secure peace with literature and stabilize the nation with martial prowess, who dominated the martial world and galloped across battlefields, commanding admiration and respect from all men.

Known for her transcendent and beautiful appearance, she was called the 'Fairy from the Clouds.' Unfortunately, at the age of twenty, she suddenly withdrew from society to live in seclusion in the forests and was never heard from again.

This 'Cloud and Snow Satin' was Murong Yunlian's favorite weapon, said to be finely woven from millennium snow silkworm silk. Extremely soft and light, yet striking with cold brilliance, it could kill without leaving a trace. However, with Murong Yunlian's disappearance, the 'Cloud and Snow Satin' also vanished without a trace.

Who would have expected it to appear in Weichi Kong's hands, and now as a birthday gift for Yang Mengchen—how could they not be shocked?

They exchanged glances, and seeing a glint of understanding in each other's eyes, Old Hai and Long Xuanmo swiftly averted their gaze, their expressions calm as before.

"Thank you, Grandpa Kong!"

Yang Mengchen smiled as she took the 'Cloud and Snow Satin,' feeling a bone-chilling coldness. The cold spread from her hands to her entire body in a blink, and she quickly concealed her Inner Strength to resist it until the coldness dissipated. Only then did she withdraw her Inner Strength. Later that night, when she practiced with the weapon, she was overjoyed by its exceptional finesse.

"Since it happens to be Jiujiu's birthday, this old man will also offer a humble gift." The elder took out a jade flute, about a foot long, and handed it to Yang Mengchen: "Take this, Jiujiu, and enjoy it."

Yang Mengchen placed the treasured gift carefully into her satchel, then bowed respectfully in gratitude: "Thank you, Grandpa. Mengchen loves it very much!"

Someone who could come with Weichi Kong and have such a close relationship must be of no ordinary stature; it was unlikely that he would offer anything less than extraordinary. Even if it was something common, the gesture held significant affection and thought.

The elder was very pleased with Yang Mengchen's knowledgeable and graceful demeanor: "Jiujiu, just call me Grandpa Shao."

"Grandpa Shao, hello!" Yang Mengchen adapted easily, and Yang Chengrong and his seven brothers also bowed in salutation.

Beside him, Weichi Kong called out eagerly, "Jiujiu, what delicious food have you made? It smells so good! Old man Shao, I'll tell you, the dishes Jiujiu makes are absolutely fantastic. I guarantee you've never tasted anything like them." He said this as he walked toward one of the tables.

Seeing several dishes on the table that he had never seen before, Weichi Kong's eyes gleamed with greed, and he quickly picked up a piece of boiled fish with his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth, which immediately made him gasp from the spice.

Yang Chengxuan hurriedly handed a glass of cold water to Weichi Kong.

Weichi Kong drank it down in one gulp, and Yang Chengxuan filled several more glasses for him to drink, until the burn in his mouth eased. Then Weichi Kong asked Yang Mengchen, "Jiujiu, what did you add to the dish? Why is it so spicy? And what is this bright red stuff?"

"Chili peppers," answered Yang Mengchen with a cheerful smile. "Grandpa Kong, did you enjoy the spicy boiled fish slices?"

Weichi Kong, unfamiliar with what chili peppers were: "Although it was a bit spicy, it did taste very good. It makes every pore in the body open up in relief. Quite comfortable." With that said, he took another slice of fish.

The others also praised the dishes after tasting them, and laughter filled the garden for a long time.

They had just finished lunch when three unwelcome guests suddenly arrived.

"Yang Chengyou, why haven't you gone to study at the county school yet?" a middle-aged man barked angrily, "Don't think just because you passed the exams and became a Scholar that you're something special. If you don't attend the county school to study and participate in the annual exams and imperial exams, we have the right to revoke your Scholar status!"

Yang Chengyou replied calmly and unruffled, "Please, esteemed Scholar Officials, calm your anger! I have not forsaken my studies at the county school. I have respectfully taken on a master teacher and wish to continue my studies under his guidance, and, of course, I will participate in the annual and imperial exams."

"The middle of nowhere! Who around here could possibly have greater knowledge than us Scholar Officials? You wouldn't be deceived by a charlatan, would you?" the middle-aged man asked with disdain and contempt.

Yang Mengchen quickly restrained her indignant brothers and looked coldly at the middle-aged man, her deep eyes flashing with a cold and harsh light.

With an angry look brewing on his refined face, Yang Chengyou spoke sternly: "I ask this Scholar Official to be careful with his words! Otherwise, do not blame me for being impolite to you!"

His mentor had bestowed upon him a heavy debt of gratitude; how could he allow others to insult him?

"You impudent brat! How dare you disrespect me? Believe it or not, I can revoke your Scholar title this very moment?" the middle-aged man became enraged.

The other two men remained silent but their expressions clearly agreed with the middle-aged man's words.

"Who here speaks so presumptuously?"

Old Hai and six others slowly stepped into the hall, their faces calm, not showing the slightest anger; Old Hai even spoke with a hint of mockery: "It's been many years since someone has called me a swindler. It's quite extraordinary indeed."

The middle-aged man's scrutinizing gaze lingered on Old Hai and his companions for a moment. Although the seven were dressed in simple cloth robes, they exuded a graceful and solemn air. The middle-aged man felt unnervingly intimidated, yet asked with feigned bravado: "And who might you be?"

"I am Yang Chengyou's mentor," Old Hai stroked his gray beard, "My surname is Hai, given name Zong Yan, styled Wenxi."

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