When the sedan chair arrived at the Ouyang residence, the lanterns at the front gate were already lit.
They were two massive lanterns with intricate carvings she had never seen before, hanging high on both sides of the heavy gates, edged with gold, looking exceptionally grand.
At a single glance, Chai Xiaomi could only think of one word to describe it: opulent.
Wu Li and Ouyang Rui had already stepped out of their sedan chairs one after the other.
By the time she slowly lifted the sheer curtains and bead fringes to lean out, Wu Li had already extended his hand, waiting quietly by her side. The sedan chair was about the same height as a horseback, and even though there was a footstool placed below, Chai Xiaomi habitually reached her hand out to him.
However, halfway there, another arm suddenly intercepted, accompanied by a tense voice, "Mi'er, you must be very careful. Do not jump, mind the baby in your belly."
If Ouyang Rui hadn't reminded her, Chai Xiaomi would have almost forgotten she was supposed to act out this charade.
Hearing the intense concern and worry in Ouyang Rui's tone, anyone who didn't know better would think the child was his.
Chai Xiaomi was just about to wave her hand to politely decline his help, but her wrist was suddenly and firmly grasped by a large hand.
Immediately after, an irresistible force pulled her down from the sedan chair. Like a falling butterfly with her skirts fluttering, she plunged straight into the young man's embrace.
Despite the fierce momentum, she was caught steadily by him, his feet not shifting even an inch.
Usually, when Wu Li helped her down from a horse, he would release her immediately. But this time, Chai Xiaomi felt those two arms silently tightening around her like vines, locking her firmly in place.
For a brief few seconds, it felt like an airtight, yet restrained and suppressed hug.
It wasn't until Chai Xiaomi turned her head in astonishment to look at him that those hands quietly released their grip and let her go.
As if nothing had just happened.
"You!" Ouyang Rui glared helplessly from the side, scolding angrily, "Young Master Wu, Mi'er is pregnant, you should be more careful! Pulling her down so forcefully, what if it disturbs the fetus?"
"She is my wife. I am long used to holding her and I know my own limits," Wu Li's eyes beneath his lashes were full of mockery. "On the contrary, Young Master Ouyang is jumping up and down like a wild monkey. What, do you have fleas on you?"
Having said that, Wu Li couldn't be bothered to spare him another glance. He took the young girl's hand and walked straight past him toward the estate gates.
Chai Xiaomi gave Ouyang Rui an embarrassed smile.
Looking again at Wu Li's calm and composed demeanor, one would think he was returning to his own home.
"Young Master, that youth does not look like a kind sort. It would be best if you do not provoke him."
A servant nearby, having watched the exchange, hurried over and advised in a low voice.
"I don't care if he is good or bad. If a fairy were so easy to woo, she wouldn't be a fairy." Ouyang Rui pursed his lips, his gaze still chasing after the pair's retreating figures. "Besides, Mi'er is so dead-set on him, there might be a reason behind it. Otherwise, why did he get so tense the moment I mentioned the love gu? He acts as if he cannot wait to be glued to her side every waking moment."
The more he thought about it, the more stifled he felt. He shot a glare at the servant, "Move out of the way!"
The banquet was set in the brightest and most spacious main hall of the Ouyang residence, with a large round mahogany table in the center.
Draped in a brocade tablecloth, the table was laden with delicacies: a whole roasted suckling pig gleaming with oil, meltingly tender Buddha Jumps Over the Wall stew, steamed hairy crabs piled into a small mountain, and various exquisite pastries.
Candlelight illuminated the entire room brightly, and the mouth-watering aroma drifted far and wide.
The white cat crouched on Jiang Zhiyu's shoulder, rubbing its paws excitedly. "Oh my, I told you so! The food in the home of the wealthiest man couldn't possibly be bad. We definitely made the right choice coming here!"
Saying that, it turned its furry head and blinked at Chai Xiaomi, "Little Xiaomi, you really made the right friend this time! How about we ask that Young Master Ouyang if we can come mooch meals every day from now on?"
Jiang Zhiyu simply couldn't bear to look at his gluttonous master.
He had heard his father mention that in his youth, his master was also a dashing young gentleman who traveled around vanquishing demons and monsters with his colleagues from the Jingming Altar. He refused all gifts of gratitude from others, even politely declining when people wanted to marry their daughters to him.
He only ever wanted food as his reward.
This palate of his was just as picky as Xiaomi's. No wonder the two of them always hit it off so well in conversation. Xiaomi would happily call him Old Ji left and right, and he never got angry.
Chai Xiaomi was starving right now. Her stomach had rumbled several times, but she managed to cover it up with forced coughs.
The moment she stepped into the room, her eyes were glued straight to the table full of delicacies.
Just then, a thin, middle-aged man slowly walked up to greet them.
He had a prominent aquiline nose with wide nostrils and slight dark circles under his eyes. He smiled at the group and said, "Forgive me for not going out to welcome you. You all must be the new friends my son has made, right? I am Ouyang Huai. Today, I will be the one to guide you to your seats. I hope you will not mind an old man like me mingling among you young folks."
As he spoke, his gaze casually swept over the group.
Three young gentlemen, one young lady.
With just a brief appraisal, he could tell that one of them was a woman disguised as a man.
Following Rui'er's unconcealed gaze, the little girl firmly held by the young man's side was presumably the one his son had taken a fancy to.
Finally, his gaze settled on the young man.
Silver ornaments, heterochromia, and that slightly bewitching appearance—one look was enough to tell he was of a foreign tribe.
In order to rightfully take a seat at the dining table, the white cat simply and generously revealed its own identity.
It took the initiative to reply to Ouyang Huai, "Master Ouyang is too polite. Speaking of age, I am the oldest one at this table."
The white cat stroked its feline whiskers in a dignified manner, adopting a seasoned and mature posture, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am from the Jingming Altar—"
"Alchemist Ji!?"
Ouyang Huai was slightly taken aback and blurted out.
His tone instantly became a few degrees more respectful. "I truly had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I never expected that Alchemist Ji would also grace Qianwu Town with your presence."
The white cat paused, "You recognize me?"
Ouyang Huai nodded, "Naturally I do. I have always loved collecting magical artifacts and frequently visit the Wuchang Ghost Market for trades. I always hear the name of the Jingming Altar. Who doesn't know that Alchemist Ji of the Jingming Altar, though in the form of a white cat, possesses formidable magical powers?"
"It is not easy, someone finally does not treat me like a monster." The white cat's tail perked up as it leaped onto the table and invited, "Then how about we eat and chat at the same time?"
"Yes, yes, yes, please take a seat, everyone. Do not stand on ceremony." Ouyang Huai sat down at the head of the table. He was just about to call his son to sit next to him when he looked up and saw that Rui'er had already eagerly sidled up to the young lady's right side and settled down comfortably.
His gaze darkened slightly, but ultimately he only sighed silently, treating it as his son acting on a whim, dazzled by beauty.
Never mind. Later on, he would just find a few more beautiful girls and send them to his room to be bed-warming maids.
Ouyang Huai's gaze swept over the young lady once more, lingering imperceptibly for a few extra seconds. She was indeed fair and charming, possessing a somewhat alluring beauty.
But suddenly, an ice-pick-like gaze wrapped around him like a poisonous snake.
Ouyang Huai instinctively shifted his gaze, meeting the eyes of the Miao youth head-on.
The other's eyes were dark and fathomless, surging with an undisguised, naked murderous intent. It was a blunt, silent warning: look again, and you will die.
After a standoff lasting but a single breath, Ouyang Huai quietly averted his gaze.
He turned with a smile and picked up a piece of fish for Alchemist Ji, acting as if that fleeting, sharp tension had never existed.
Given Ouyang Huai's age, immense wealth, and extensive travels, he had weathered his fair share of storms. He never expected to be so easily intimidated by such a young man.
A sudden doubt crept into his mind. The youth's features were marked by a sharp shrewdness; no matter how one looked at him, he did not seem like the kind of fool who would willingly trade a Crimson Blood Silkworm for a mere piece of wood.
