Chapter 282: Reception

"My Lord, you see, our family is certainly not short of this small sum of silver, but our reputation must be safeguarded," the woman opposite said with a smile, appearing every bit the virtuous wife.

Seeing this, Qin Yan was even more pleased.

The Third Madam had been with him for many years, and her considerate and meticulous nature had not diminished in the slightest, which made him feel even more at ease with her.

In fact, whenever he was away, he would entrust all affairs of the Qin residence, large and small, to her, and she always managed them to his complete satisfaction.

"My Lord, I have already sent for this person. After you have met him, allow me to handle these minor matters," the woman continued gently.

Qin Yan smiled faintly upon hearing this. Just as he was about to speak, a servant's voice announced from outside:

"My Lord, Qin Ping has brought the guest. Should we summon him now?"

"Tell Qin Ping to bring him in!"

After giving the casual instruction, Qin Yan simply closed his mouth and smiled apologetically at the Third Madam.

"Yes, My Lord!"

The servant acknowledged the order and remained silent.

From outside the main hall, Qin Ping entered, followed by a rather simple-looking young man.

As the young man walked, he glanced around, examining everything in the main hall, appearing utterly curious about every single item in the room.

Once they were inside the hall, Qin Ping reported their arrival and then quietly withdrew, leaving only the young man, who stood somewhat uneasily before Qin Yan and his wife.

Seeing the young man's awkwardness, Qin Yan and the Third Madam exchanged a knowing smile. Then, Qin Yan cleared his throat and spoke kindly to the young man:

"I heard that you, young man, have a letter from one of my elders. Is this true? Might I have a look at the letter?"

The young man, Han Li, glanced at the head of the Qin family, a look of hesitation on his face, and asked, as if uncertain:

"Are you really Uncle Qin? My grandfather specifically told me I could only give the letter to Uncle Qin himself!"

The Third Madam paused slightly after hearing Han Li's words, then almost burst out laughing.

In the main hall of the Qin residence, where guests were received, who would dare to openly impersonate the head of the Qin family? This young man's question was truly amusing!

Qin Yan, upon hearing this, was momentarily stunned and also showed a wry, helpless expression.

He could only say again, with a hint of helplessness:

"I am, of course, the genuine master of the Qin residence. However, whether I am your Uncle Qin can only be confirmed after I have seen the letter!"

Qin Yan's discomfited expression was highly amusing to the Third Madam, who was watching from the side. She never imagined that the renowned head of the Qin family in Yuejing, known by almost everyone, would actually be doubted by a rustic young man. What a rare spectacle!

After hearing Qin Yan's words, Han Li's face finally showed an expression of half-belief. He then reluctantly handed over the letter, which was nearly crumpled into a ball, to Qin Yan.

Qin Yan, who was already impatient, forcibly resisted the urge to snatch the letter and finally, maintaining his composure, took it.

However, he did not immediately open the letter. Instead, he gave Han Li a meaningful look, then suddenly placed the letter on the table and lightly clapped his hands twice.

After two distinct claps, an old man with white hair, dressed in a blue robe, immediately entered from outside the hall.

Without a word, Qin Yan pointed at the letter. The old man immediately stepped forward respectfully, picked up the letter, and then examined it against the sunlight streaming into the hall. Finally, holding it in both hands, he placed the letter back on the table.

"No issues?"

After uttering these few words, the old man bowed and withdrew. His movements, both entering and exiting, were completely silent, as if he were a ghost.

Qin Yan, now at ease, casually glanced at Han Li, seeing his bewildered expression, and couldn't help but smile.

Then, without offering any explanation, he skillfully opened the letter and carefully read the contents.

The Third Madam, observing this from the side, smiled kindly at Han Li, then picked up the teacup in front of her, intending to take a small sip.

But before she could even take a sip, Qin Yan, who was sitting and reading the letter, suddenly gasped and stood up, his face filled with an extremely startled and peculiar expression.

"My Lord, what's wrong? Is it possible this letter is fake?" the startled Third Madam asked, hastily putting down her teacup, her face full of extreme concern.

"No, this letter is indeed real! And it's from an elder who showed me great kindness," Qin Yan said, his expression instantly returning to normal, his tone very calm.

After exchanging a meaningful glance with his beloved wife, Qin Yan re-examined Han Li.

"Is your name Han Li?" Master Qin asked tentatively. Although his tone was the same as before, the Third Madam subtly sensed something amiss.

Just as the woman was feeling suspicious, Han Li nodded vigorously and said:

"Yes, I am Han Li! And as my grandfather said, can I stay here?"

"Haha! Of course, you can. I once met Uncle Huayuan with my father when I was a child; I never imagined I would see his descendant today. I will certainly treat you like my own nephew." Qin Yan suddenly burst into joyful laughter, his voice so loud that the nearby servants exchanged confused glances, wondering why their master was so happy in the main hall.

"Come! Accompany me to the side hall so we can discuss Uncle Huayuan's recent situation. No one else is to follow; I want to have a good talk with my virtuous nephew Han." Qin Yan enthusiastically grabbed Han Li's arm. He then pulled Han Li towards a side door, preventing the Third Madam from attempting to follow them.

This left the already surprised Third Madam even more bewildered!

She could only watch as Master Qin and Han Li exited through the side door, not daring to follow them against his instructions.

At that moment, her mind was swirling with doubts.

Han Li followed Qin Yan to an extremely quiet side hall.

Without a word, he turned an ornamental antique vase in the hall, and immediately, a secret room appeared in the wall.

Seeing this, Qin Yan walked in without hesitation. Han Li smiled slightly and followed him in.

The secret room was not large, but it was fully equipped.

Not only did it have tables and chairs, but also a tall sandalwood bookshelf, making the room appear exceptionally exquisite.

"Since you are someone sent by Immortal Master Li, then you must also be an immortal cultivator? Earlier in the main hall, I may have been disrespectful; I hope Immortal Master Han will not take offense?" As soon as Qin Yan closed the secret room door, he apologized respectfully to Han Li.

"It's nothing; no blame for ignorance! Besides, the act still needs to continue," Han Li said nonchalantly after casually sitting down by the table. At this moment, his entire demeanor had changed, restoring his original uninhibited aura.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Immortal Master!"

Qin Yan, upon hearing this, became even more respectful and continued to stand by the side, showing not the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.

Qin Yan knew perfectly well what immortal cultivators were; they were simply divine beings, like living immortals!

Furthermore, if it weren't for Immortal Master Li's aid, the Qin family would never have achieved its current prominence. Thus, both emotionally and logically, Qin Yan dared not show any disrespect.

"Master Qin, please sit; there's no need to be so formal! The Immortal Master Li you mentioned is actually my master, so to the Qin family, I am no stranger," Han Li said again with a smile.

"I wouldn't dare. I am but a mortal; how could I be rude to an Immortal Master? I will simply stand by and await Immortal Master Han's instructions," Qin Yan said, repeatedly waving his hands and refusing to sit. This made Han Li ponder thoughtfully for a moment, then he no longer pressed the matter.

"Immortal Master Han, may I ask what brings you here? Immortal Master Li's letter only stated your identity but made no mention of the specific matter. May I know a little more about it?" Qin Yan cautiously asked the question he was most concerned about.

According to his father's dying instructions, Immortal Master Li, who had shown great kindness to the Qin family, would only personally appear or send someone to help when the Qin family faced an unsolvable danger. Could it be that the Qin family was about to encounter another major problem?

Han Li glanced at the anxious expression on the Qin family head's face. After thinking for a moment, he said cautiously:

"The situation is this: it actually involves foreign immortal cultivators. We received news that..."

With a normal expression, Han Li slowly explained how the Six Devilish Sects might act against the Qin family, using terms mortals could best understand. This left Master Qin with a shocked expression.

After a long while, Qin Yan stammered and asked:

"This... this means that immortal cultivators from other countries are going to attack us mortals? This... what... what should we do?"

The head of the Qin family looked completely at a loss.

Han Li gave a faint smile and then calmly comforted him, saying:

"Master Qin, there's no need to worry. The cultivators who have infiltrated Yue will not have very high magical power. With me stationed at the Qin residence, they won't easily succeed!"