Chapter 35

The birthday celebration of the old patriarch of the Shangguan family has become the grandest event in Fengxing Prefecture.

If it were just two years ago, perhaps not many high-ranking officials and nobles would have cared about such an ordinary family, but things are different now.

The Shangguan family, an ordinary wealthy household, has, in just two or three short years, become comparable to the Chen family, the Yue family, and other century-old families. Most importantly, this rapid rise shows no signs of stopping.

No one doubts that in a few more years, the Shangguan family will become the top family in Fengxing Prefecture.

All of this is due to the Shangguan young lady who gained the favor of a noble in the capital.

Qin Xianyu did not know all the reasons behind this, but he could see that the scene was extremely impressive.

The streets on both sides had already been cleared of idle people, with guest carriages parked on either side. Many guards maintained order, and stewards led the way. Despite the bustling activity, everything was well-organized.

High-ranking officials and wealthy merchants, who were rarely seen on a regular day, mostly gathered here today. Not only from Fengxing Prefecture, but also from other prefectures and states.

Almost one-third of the important figures from the six prefectures of Huai River had gathered here.

It was bustling and incredibly lively.

The number of prominent officials and famous wealthy merchants who came today was no less than a hundred, and with their guards and servants, the Shangguan family had gathered hundreds of people.

But not everyone could enter.

Qin Xianyu, however, had the engagement with the Shangguan family, which gave him the right to enter the manor for the banquet.

But who knew?

"Master Qin, please come in!"

A middle-aged steward stood by the carriage, making a gesture to invite him in.

Qin Xianyu got off the carriage and walked forward.

The coachman and two guards hesitated but were eventually silenced by the cold stare of the middle-aged steward.

"A young man dressed as a Taoist, without an invitation, attempting to enter the manor for the banquet. Hmph, these guards will give you a hard time."

The middle-aged steward watched his back and sneered.

Sure enough, a guard stepped forward to block the young Taoist and shouted, "Who are you? Do you have an invitation?"

Qin Xianyu calmly replied, "No."

The guard coldly said, "Since you are not on the Shangguan family's guest list, please leave."

Qin Xianyu nodded and said, "Then I will leave."

"Heavens! Why is this young Taoist so obedient this time?"

The middle-aged steward's face changed drastically. If Qin Xianyu left, his fate would not be good. Panicked, he quickly stepped forward and shouted, "You fools, can't you see this is the future son-in-law? Quickly move aside and welcome the son-in-law in."

The Shangguan family today is at the peak of its power. There are many uninvited guests, but due to etiquette, they cannot be driven away and are seated in the outer courtyard. If the young Taoist had dressed differently, the guards might have let him in, but since he was dressed as a Taoist and did not look like a high-ranking official or noble, he was refused entry.

But who knew he was the future son-in-law? The guards could only smile bitterly.

"No, no, I don't have an invitation, so I won't join the festivities."

The young Taoist pretended to decline, thinking to himself, "If I just leave, I can save myself a lot of trouble, and I won't have to use the Crimson Dragon Ink Jade Platform."

The middle-aged steward was almost in tears and quickly pleaded, then had someone lead the way.

Qin Xianyu chuckled and followed him in.

In the outer courtyard, the sky well was almost filled with banquet tables, with laughter and toasts making it very lively.

Once inside the manor, someone naturally led the way, and the middle-aged steward stepped back.

"Master Qin, come sit here; we're just one person short."

Someone recognized Qin Xianyu.

Qin Xianyu did not recognize this person, thinking he was probably an elder who knew his father. He nodded to the person and sat down at the table.

The man, who was somewhat plump, smiled and said, "I am an old acquaintance of your father. You can call me Master Zhang."

Qin Xianyu smiled slightly and nodded, "Master Zhang, hello."

Master Zhang smiled and said, "Qin Mingjin has a fine son. I heard you cured the venom of the Blood Trace Snake. This kind of severe poison was only cured by your father in the past, and now you are the only one besides him. It seems your medical skills are on par with your father's. Your reputation has been growing recently, and even the Shangguan family has invited you to the banquet. I believe the Qin family pharmacy will soon return to its former glory."

Qin Xianyu modestly replied, "Master Zhang, you flatter me."

At this moment, someone hurried out from inside, saw Qin Xianyu, and was immediately surprised, quickly coming over.

This was the head steward of the Shangguan family, the old steward who had waited for Qin Xianyu at the Taoist temple twice.

Master Zhang was slightly taken aback, stood up, and smiled, "Why is the head steward here? The main hall is full of important figures. You should go and attend to them; we understand."

The people at the table and the surrounding wealthy merchants and officials quickly agreed.

Those who could be called Master were all wealthy and influential. If they were treated coldly on a regular day, they would certainly leave in a huff.

But this was the Shangguan family.

The main hall was filled with the most prominent officials and important figures from Fengxing Prefecture and other states.

Being invited to the Shangguan family's banquet already proved a high status in Fengxing Prefecture. As for the inner hall, that was a bit too much to hope for.

The head steward apologized to everyone and said, "I was busy and couldn't attend to you all in time. Please forgive me."

"It's fine, it's fine," Master Zhang waved his hand and smiled, "You should go and attend to your duties."

The old steward smiled apologetically and then said to Qin Xianyu, "Why are you sitting here? A seat has been prepared for you inside, and the banquet is about to start."

Master Zhang was slightly taken aback.

Everyone fell silent.

Qin Xianyu was also somewhat surprised. He had not expected that the Shangguan family had prepared a seat for him in the inner hall where the important figures gathered. He stood up and said to Master Zhang, "It seems I must take my leave. Master Zhang, please don't be offended."

Master Zhang was stunned for a moment and then said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

Qin Xianyu followed the old steward inside. As they walked in, the crowd burst into chatter.

"Who is this young Taoist?"

"Seems to be the son of Qin Mingjin."

"I heard he cured the venom of the Blood Trace Snake. Could it be because of his growing medical reputation that he was invited?"

"Not just that. It's said that the daughter of the state governor has been ill for many days, and many famous doctors in Fengxing Prefecture were helpless, even the Fourth Master Qian couldn't cure her. But a few days ago, it was reported that the illness had been cured. It's said that a young Taoist was invited at that time."

Everyone fell silent and looked at each other.

Master Zhang stammered, "Could it be this young master of the Qin family?"

"How could that be? It must have been the Fourth Master Qian's miraculous skills. He was once a royal physician in the capital. Although the illness troubled him for a while, it was not difficult for him. This young man from the Qin family must have just happened to visit the governor's residence and coincidentally encountered the right time."

"Besides... it's not certain if the Taoist and he are the same person."

As others guessed and answered, it finally made sense.

But Master Zhang asked again, "Then how did he come to the banquet?"

Just curing the venom of the Blood Trace Snake, although a high medical reputation, was not enough to be invited into the main hall.

His question made everyone fall silent again.

Those who had just denied that Qin Xianyu cured Miss Liu's illness felt clever in their answers but were now somewhat annoyed by his question.

People always have curiosity, so there were a few more comments.

At this moment, a low voice said, "I heard that the Qin family and the Shangguan family used to have a very good relationship, and the two families once had a marriage contract."

The entire hall fell silent.

"Perhaps... perhaps it's not the Shangguan young lady from the capital..."

Crash.

Someone dropped their wine glass, shattering it.

PS: Thank you, 'July Taoist Student,' for the tip, but this nickname seems very familiar...

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