Chapter Fifty-Four: Grand Banquet

  "Xiao Li, if you don't want to go, then don't go. Mother acknowledges that you are a man, but a real man knows when to yield and when to stand firm..."

  Qin Han Yue carefully helped Qin Li adjust his clothes while gently saying, "Now that Shi Yu is gone, I've also heard about the attitude of the Shangguan family towards you. The fat meat that the Qin family had in their mouth was snatched back by them, and everyone in the Qin family is holding back a breath of anger. They don't dare to do anything to me, but as for you... Alas, it's all my fault."

  Qin Li's heart warmed up a bit, and he smiled lightly: "Mother, you're being overly cautious. I have everything under control. Don't worry, if it's possible to avoid conflict with them, your son will definitely not go looking for trouble."

  "That's great!"

  Qin Han Yue finished arranging the new clothes she had just bought for her son, and no matter how she looked at him, she felt that her own son was the most handsome man in the world. A happy smile spread across her face: "My precious son has grown up, Mama is so happy!"

  With a strong maternal love, Qin Li left the house. Originally, Qin Han Yue wanted Qin Xue to follow along as well, but Qin Li had already anticipated the scene she would face today and thought that bringing Qin Xue would only mean one more person being humiliated, so she refused.

  The Shangguan family had done a good job on the surface, and they even sent a luxurious carriage to pick up Qin Li. When they arrived at the Shangguan's mansion, it was already bustling with people!

  Those big shots who are rarely seen on weekdays almost all appeared here, each looking for acquaintances and chatting with seemingly genuine smiles, all of them looked very radiant.

  The horse-drawn carriage with the emblem of the Shangguan family attracted attention from some people. After all, in this city of yellow sand, there were not many people who could be personally received by the Shangguan family, except for the heads of the other two major families and the lord of the city. However, these big shots were always accompanied by a large group of followers and guards, so many people curiously sized up the two carriages.

  As Qin Li got down from the horse carriage, he immediately felt many gazes directed at him. A faint smile appeared on his lips, looking extremely calm and composed as he followed the people from the Upper Official's household into the house.

  "Hey, who's that handsome young man? How come he's riding in the Magistrate's family carriage? Looks like he's got some connections!"

  "Yes, look at his demeanor, he seems like a young master from a wealthy family!"

  "It's a pity he's so handsome, very likable!" A heavily made-up, bejeweled middle-aged woman stared intently at Qin Li's back and said.

  "What a small origin, that is Qin's illegitimate child, the son-in-law of the Shangguan family!" Those who had seen Qin Li immediately said with disdain.

  "Huh?"

  The few people who had just been discussing it were all stunned, and the heavily made-up middle-aged woman even exaggeratedly pursed her lips: "Ah, so he's the scandal of the Qin family!"

  Several people sneered at this middle-aged noblewoman, thinking that with your status, even if the other person is a private son, you are not worthy of it!

  Facing other people's curious eyes, Qin Li was very calm and composed. The one who led him in was unexpectedly the personal bodyguard of Shangguan Tie, that black armored knight!

  "Master Qin, some people in our household today may not have a good attitude. Please don't mind them for the sake of our master. In any case, our master has always been very supportive of you. This hasn't changed even when Miss is not around."

  Qin Li looked at the black armored knight with some unexpected surprise, only to discover that this normally wooden and taciturn person had actually also grown a delicate heart. Upon thinking about it, it was indeed the case - how could someone who became one of Shangguan Ti's trusted subordinates possibly be mediocre?

  Nodding his head, Qin Li smiled and said: "Don't worry, I understand everything."

  The black-armored knight glanced around, then said in a low voice: "People from the Qin family are here, they don't dare to do anything to you! Young Master Qin, my name is Shangguan Hongfei, I'm a seventh-level Wugong practitioner. If you have any trouble, just come find me, and if I can help, I won't stand idly by!"

  Qin Li looked at Shangguan Hongfei with a sincere face, and didn't seem to be pretending. He smiled and said: "Then thank you!"

  Shangguan Hongfei nodded and led Qin Li into the grand hall of the banquet, then retreated.

  In front of this banquet hall, Qin had seen it once when he lived in the Shangguan house, but hadn't entered before. Now that he's here again, he still can't help but feel a little sigh of admiration - this is truly a noble family!

  The grand banquet hall before my eyes is over 50 meters wide and more than 300 meters long! The high ceiling is resplendent with gold and jade, extremely luxurious, making one feel as if they are in a dreamlike state!

  No wonder some middle-ranking nobles who receive invitations from the Upper Official's family every year would be so excited that they can't sleep for several days, this is not an exaggeration! Being able to come here is in itself a symbol of status!

  The hall was decorated with various beautiful potted landscapes, and all the tables and chairs were made of precious wood and handmade. Qin Li had seen what the imperial palace looked like before, but he had been to the Forbidden City in his previous life, and everything in front of him now was no worse than what he had seen in the Forbidden City!

  In such a large banquet hall, Qin Li was like a drop of water in the ocean. Maybe outside there were still people who could pay attention to him for a few moments, but here, no one cared who he was.

  Everywhere, young men and women are seen in groups of three or four, dressed in luxurious attire, gentlemen and ladies chatting elegantly. Those older upper-class individuals, on the other hand, quietly discuss various business matters, countless deals are made here every year.

  Qin Li casually found a corner to sit down, in this kind of occasion, he didn't particularly like it, nor would he be extremely disgusted. Anyway, these people had nothing to do with him, and when the banquet was over, he would just leave with them.

  Qin Li casually took a few pastries and placed them in front of him, sat down, closed his eyes slightly, and adjusted his breath. The innate purple energy inside his body was always circulating, but the cultivation was much slower than usual.

  At this time, a very bright and clear voice rang out: "Is this Mr. Qin Liqin?"

  Qin Li opened his eyes and saw a tall, majestic young man standing in front of him, dressed in luxurious clothes. He looked familiar, and suddenly remembered that this young man was the same person he had seen at the Fang Zheng Martial Arts Hall that day. Later, he found out that the hall was owned by the Fang family, so this young man should also be a member of the Fang family.

  "Nice to meet you, my name is Fang Haonan. I'm sorry about what happened that day. Afterwards, I was confined by the old master for several months. I wanted to find you to explain, but never had the chance. I hope Brother Qin won't mind." Fang Haonan apologized sincerely to Qin Li.

  Qin Li was slightly stunned, then stretched out his hand and smiled: "That thing? I've long forgotten it. Besides, Brother Fang didn't do anything wrong, and he even saved me at a critical moment. To say the least, I should be thanking you instead. Why would I mind?"

  Fang Haonan smiled warmly: "I've long known that Brother Qin is not an ordinary person, and today I see that it's indeed the case. I'd like to make friends with you, what do you think, Brother Qin?"

  Qin Li smiled wryly and said, "Brother Fang is joking. If we talk about friendship, it's actually Qin Li who is overreaching himself. Now that Qin Li can barely protect himself, doesn't Brother Fang fear being implicated in the troubles of the Qin family?"

  Fang Haonan smiled indifferently and said, "The three major families in Huangsha City have been openly competing and secretly fighting for many years, many generations. Haven't they all come this way? Let them fight their own battles, we'll take care of our own affairs. As for who will be punished, haha, I don't care!"

  Qin raised an eyebrow and found that Fang Haonan was a quite interesting person, just as she was about to speak, suddenly heard a cold female voice.

  "Qin Li? You actually have the face to show up here? How shameless! Just because you've latched onto a wealthy family, you think you're nobility now?"

  Fang Haonan heard this voice, first frowned, then a helpless expression spread across his face, and he gave Qin Li a look, meaning to ask Qin Li not to bother with her.

  Qin Li smiled faintly, picked up his teacup, and took a light sip of tea. The way he held the cup and drank the tea made Fang Haonan's eyes flash with a hint of surprise. Without receiving special aristocratic etiquette training, it was impossible to achieve this demeanor. Qin Li wasn't someone who had never attended school since childhood, was he? How interesting, really interesting!

  "Brother Fang, the Upper Guan family is indeed the number one family in Huangsha City! Look at this tea, not only are the leaves good, but the water is even better!"

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  I recommend a urban fantasy novel "Gods are all in the pocket" [Book number: 1656433] to everyone! Wang Ke was watching an A movie when he saw someone appoint him as the administrator of the fourth cosmic zone; it is said that this position is specialized in selling divine positions...