Chapter 36

At the main table, Old Master Shangguan had a ruddy complexion, and his gray hair seemed to have regained some of its luster. He was about to speak.

Beside him, someone suddenly said, "It's a bit too early to start the banquet."

Old Master Shangguan's brows furrowed slightly.

The person who spoke was surnamed Chen, the eldest son of the Chen family.

This young Master Chen was dressed in a white robe, holding a folding fan in his left hand. He said calmly, "It seems not everyone has arrived, and the time is not yet right."

Many had not yet arrived, but who would dare to keep the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet waiting?

A hint of coldness flashed in Old Master Shangguan's eyes.

The Grand Secretary, Mr. Su, seemed unconcerned, chatting and laughing softly with the Fourth Prince.

Most of the people in the hall were not focusing on Old Master Shangguan but on the Grand Secretary and the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince still had a carefree demeanor, but he appeared more spirited than the rumors suggested, not as dispirited as people thought.

As for the Grand Secretary, who held the highest rank, though his attire was simple, he exuded a sense of gravity. It wasn't the authority of his high position but the weight of decades of scholarly pursuits, like an old teacher in a private school.

Yet no one dared to underestimate this seemingly ordinary old scholar.

Young Master Chen put down his fan and said to the Grand Secretary, "With your presence, Mr. Su, it would be improper to keep you waiting. However, the two who have not arrived are indispensable. Starting the banquet now would be inappropriate."

Hearing this, it seemed he was making the Grand Secretary wait?

The crowd was slightly taken aback.

Who were these two who had not arrived? Could they make Young Master Chen so impolite?

If not handled well, it could offend the Grand Secretary.

The Grand Secretary was having a pleasant conversation with his old friend, the Fourth Prince, and didn't place much importance on the banquet. He preferred to chat more with his old friend, whom he hadn't seen in years, rather than just eat a meal.

One gets old, and who knows if they will meet again, or how many more words they can share.

Hearing Young Master Chen's words, he waved his hand and said, "Let's follow the proper etiquette. Since some have not arrived, let's wait for them. If they don't come by the original time, we can start eating then."

The Fourth Prince smiled and said, "Aren't you curious about who these two are that you're waiting for?"

The Grand Secretary replied, "Do you know?"

The Fourth Prince said, "Of course I do, but since Young Master Chen started this, let him explain."

Young Master Chen bowed to the Fourth Prince and then smiled, "The first person is the Prefect of the state. I believe the Shangguan family has already sent an invitation. Even if the Prefect doesn't come in person, he will surely send someone. It would be improper not to wait for him."

The Grand Secretary nodded and said, "That's right. Prefect Liu is very busy, and we should respect him. Who is the other person?"

Young Master Chen said, "This person is surnamed Qin, a wandering doctor."

The Fourth Prince suddenly chuckled.

A wandering doctor is a completely different identity from a physician in a pharmacy.

Wandering doctors have no fixed residence, unknown backgrounds, and uncertain morals. Though they claim to be doctors and treat patients, their medical skills are often questionable, and there are cases where they have caused deaths and then moved on.

"Qin?" The Grand Secretary was slightly surprised and said, "I've heard that there is a famous doctor in Fengxing Prefecture, also surnamed Qin. He is highly skilled and has been invited to the capital to serve as a court physician, but he declined. Could you be referring to him?"

Qin Mingjin was invited to the capital?

This was rarely heard.

Many people looked at each other in surprise.

Old Master Shangguan sighed.

Young Master Chen was also slightly taken aback but finally smiled, "The Grand Secretary is referring to the divine doctor Qin Mingjin, who passed away a few years ago. I am talking about his only son, Qin Xianyu."

"Passed away?" The Grand Secretary sighed and then smiled, "Then why is this son of the divine doctor considered indispensable, on par with Prefect Liu?"

Hearing the Grand Secretary's words, it was clear that Young Master Chen's tactic to belittle Qin Xianyu was obvious. Old Master Shangguan, who knew the inside story, looked even more serious.

Young Master Chen smiled, "I've heard that this young Master Qin grew up with a Taoist, learning some mystical things. His medical skills are unknown, but he is a Taoist."

Hearing this, the Grand Secretary was already somewhat displeased. Scholars detest such baseless superstitions.

Young Master Chen was secretly delighted. If the Grand Secretary developed a bad impression of Qin Xianyu, a few words at a critical moment would carry great weight. Thinking this, Young Master Chen continued, "Actually, this person is insignificant, but he has..."

He was about to mention the marriage contract.

At this moment, the old steward entered.

Behind him was another person.

Everyone turned to look and saw a young man enter the hall.

Seeing this person, Young Master Chen's smile became even more radiant. He gently waved his fan and said, "He's here."

Originally, the son of a doctor and a young Taoist were insignificant, but after Young Master Chen's words, everyone had become interested.

The people at the table were all important figures in Fengxing Prefecture and other states, either renowned scholars, high-ranking officials, or wealthy tycoons.

These people all held extremely high status, and a single glance could make ordinary people tremble.

The many important figures turning to look at him was like a mountain pressing down.

Even the Shangguan family's chief steward felt his breath catch, but after decades of service, he knew how to remain composed and lowered his head.

But the young Taoist was the most impressive.

The newcomer was a young man, dressed in a light-colored Taoist robe, with a fair complexion and a scholarly air. Though he looked frail, he had a deep and mysterious aura, serene and profound.

This young Taoist looked at the hall full of important figures and smiled calmly.

Like a gentle breeze, like clear water.

All the pressure was brushed aside.

"Are you Qin Xianyu?"

The Grand Secretary looked at him and couldn't help but feel pleased. Though the young man was dressed as a Taoist, he had a scholarly air and seemed like a promising talent.

The initial displeasure at his Taoist identity was long forgotten.

Qin Xianyu bowed slightly and said, "Yes."

The Grand Secretary smiled, "Good lad, you've made everyone wait."

Qin Xianyu apologized to everyone.

The old steward led him to his seat.

"Hold on!"

Young Master Chen slowly said, "Since you're here for the banquet, you should bring a gift."

He put down his fan, took out an object, and presented it with both hands to Old Master Shangguan, saying, "I just presented the Chen family's gift, but I forgot to bring my own. Though it's a bit late, please accept it, Old Master."

Old Master Shangguan glanced at it, his brows raising slightly.

Even the Grand Secretary showed surprise.

It was a wooden box made of purple sandalwood.

Just this box alone was worth dozens of silver taels, equivalent to several years of living expenses for an ordinary family. What kind of treasure could be inside such a precious box?