The inner courtyard had six small courtyards, intended for the six elders. However, apart from the Grand Elder and the Second Elder who resided there year-round, the other four elders lived in the larger outer compound.
This larger compound was also known as the Central Courtyard, where the Sixth Elder, Xu Weiguo, lived.
Hidden within courtyard number six were members of the Imperial Guard. Ning Qi also kept a watchful eye from the shadows, aware that the situation tonight was unlikely to be pleasant, and thus remained highly vigilant.
His vigilance, of course, wasn't directed at the dinner itself, but at the possibility of any other parties interfering in tonight's affairs.
"Second Elder."
At eight-ten, the Second Elder, Li Chengdao, arrived, and Ning Qi personally welcomed him.
"Has that brat arrived?"
Li Chengdao asked, hands clasped behind his back.
Ning Qi shook his head. "The Heavenly King hasn't arrived yet. He should be here shortly."
Li Chengdao nodded slightly, then strode into the courtyard. Ning Qi returned to his hidden position.
Twenty minutes later, Ye Longlin and Mu Hanqi appeared. Ning Qi stepped forward to greet them, ushering them into the courtyard and signaling everyone to be alert.
"So, this is why you asked Old Xu to set an extra place, isn't it?"
Li Chengdao looked at Ye Longlin, appearing displeased, but his anger subsided as soon as he saw Mu Hanqi beside him.
He had been asking Ye Longlin when he would get to meet her that morning, and now he was seeing her that evening.
"Why else?"
Ye Longlin asked, feigning confusion, though a knowing smile played in his eyes.
Li Chengdao rolled his eyes and grumbled, "You know how to provoke me, brat. Wait until I'm gone, then see who else you can annoy."
Ye Longlin returned the eye-roll and then began the introductions. "This is Xu Weiguo, the Sixth Elder of the Glory Hall. A real pedant, I can't stand people like him, always quoting classics.
This is Li Chengdao, the Second Elder of the Glory Hall. He comes from a military background. My current position owes a lot to the Second Elder; you could say he's both a mentor and a friend."
Glory Hall Elders!
Mu Hanqi was startled, never having expected Ye Longlin to introduce her to these two figures, who were essentially high-ranking officials of Great Xia.
Mu Hanqi quickly stood up. Without wine in front of her, she respectfully bowed slightly. "Greetings, Sixth Elder, greetings, Second Elder."
Xu Weiguo nodded slightly, accepting the bow, but he felt somewhat uneasy tonight.
"This young lady is quite lovely. It must be that this brat is blind to have taken a liking to you. If you don't mind, call me Grandpa Li. If this brat bullies you in the future, tell me, and I'll sort him out."
Li Chengdao had no airs about him and was quite fond of Mu Hanqi. He beckoned her to sit beside him, his gaze like that of an elder looking at a junior.
Mu Hanqi glanced at Ye Longlin for guidance. Regardless of his amiability, he was still an elder, and she felt a bit flustered.
These were truly high-ranking officials!
"It's alright, that's just how he is."
The Second Elder was a widower, and the Glory Hall was rife with internal strife. This lonely old man sometimes missed his own children. Now that Mu Hanqi was here, he could shift his focus.
This was also why he had brought Mu Hanqi tonight.
As long as Li Chengdao accepted Mu Hanqi, even if something happened to him, Mu Hanqi would be safe, as she would have the Second Elder's protection.
Mu Hanqi obediently sat beside Li Chengdao, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the Second Elder. She curiously asked, "Grandpa Li, you were Longlin's mentor. You must know some of his embarrassing stories, right? Tell me, he won't tell me anything."
Mu Hanqi pouted, looking quite aggrieved.
"Hahaha, finally, you've asked the right question! I've been itching to tell you... "
Ye Longlin rolled his eyes and said grumpily, "If you have nothing else to do, Old Man, you should go home and rest. A table full of food can't shut your mouth."
Mu Hanqi turned to him with a stern face. "You shut up, I want to listen!"
Ye Longlin immediately fell silent, prompting Li Chengdao to burst into laughter. "The dignified Five-Star Heavenly King is actually henpecked, hahaha, Ye Longlin, Ye Longlin, I never expected this!"
Ye Longlin: "..."
Li Chengdao chuckled, lighting a cigarette. "The first time I met Ye Longlin, good heavens, he was standing naked in the freezing snow. We were testing endurance. The northern winters are harsh, and this kid stood on the training field, his snot and spit freezing solid. I happened to be inspecting the military academy and saw him. I heard he'd been like this since the beginning of winter..."
Before he could finish, Mu Hanqi snatched the cigarette from Li Chengdao's mouth. "Smoking is bad for your health."
Li Chengdao was speechless. "My boss snatches my cigarettes, Ye Longlin snatches my cigarettes, and now you're snatching my cigarettes too. Did you two conspire against me?"
Mu Hanqi shook her head. "Grandpa Li, smoking is bad for your health. Look, it says on the pack that smoking is harmful to your health."
Ye Longlin watched the two of them chatting animatedly, a smile appearing on his lips. This small goal had been achieved.
At the very least, if something happened to him in the capital, Mu Hanqi would have the Second Elder's protection, and no one would dare to harm her.
The Second Elder hailed from the military, and though he was old now, the military's influence remained.
Ye Longlin looked at Xu Weiguo, a cold smile gracing his lips. "Sixth Elder, I don't know the reasons behind the seven deadly sins you listed against me, but I have some information here that I hope you'll review. Also, do you know why I dislike pedants so much?"
The Sixth Elder kept his eyes lowered and remained silent.
This was his home, and he dared not enrage Ye Longlin.
He was just an ordinary person. If he angered Ye Longlin, while they wouldn't kill his entire family, things wouldn't be easy for them.
"Because you only look at half the story and never understand the entire situation. Take a look at this first."
Ye Longlin said calmly. He didn't want any conflict with the other man. After all, he was an elder, and with the Second Elder present, he had to show some respect.
As for who had invited the Second Elder, it was obvious.
When the Sixth Elder took Ye Longlin's file, his old face instantly turned crimson.
This document contained explanations for all the seven deadly sins he had listed, including reasons for the extermination of clans and killings.
After reading it, the Sixth Elder slammed the file onto the table and said coldly, "If they did something wrong, it's not for you, Ye Longlin, to resolve with a mere 'kill.' They should be judged by laws and regulations!"
Ye Longlin scoffed. "Do you know how much it costs to find someone to take the blame? A million yuan a year in a third-tier city, two million in a second-tier city, and five million in a first-tier city."
"Do you think laws and regulations have much binding power over these people?"