Thinking of this, Xingyuan immediately went to the First Prince's mansion.
"Who are you? Be clear, this is the First Prince's mansion, not a place ordinary people can enter. You must first present a visiting card, and after we announce you and receive the Prince's permission, you can enter." As soon as Xingyuan arrived outside the mansion, he was stopped by two fierce-looking guards.
Xingyuan merely glanced at them indifferently, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Then, Xingyuan strode to the back wall and, using his qinggong, easily entered the mansion. Although the guards in the First Prince's mansion were described as strict, they couldn't stop Xingyuan.
However, as soon as Xingyuan entered the mansion, he was captivated by the magnificent architecture. Perhaps it was because the First Prince had a certain talent for business that he was able to decorate the mansion so luxuriously.
But it was also because of these ornate buildings that Xingyuan easily found the room where Feng Lipan was staying.
However, Xingyuan was not interested in anyone's room other than his elder sister's. After confirming the location of Feng Lipan's room, he quickly found the study opposite it.
It seemed to be a habit of all noble families, with studies always located very close to the master's room. Perhaps it was convenient for them to pretend to be respectable people at any time?
The study was empty, and Xingyuan casually browsed around. Later, bored, he picked up a book and sat on a chair, reading while waiting for Feng Lipan to return.
It wasn't until nightfall that Xingyuan saw Feng Lipan return slowly. Xingyuan gritted his teeth slightly, a hint of coldness appearing in his eyes. Well, since he had made her wait for so long, how could she not give him a little welcome gift?
The first thing the drunken Feng Lipan did upon returning to the mansion was to go to the study to count his silver. However, when he opened the cabinet where the banknotes were hidden, he was stunned! Half of his drunkenness had sobered up.
Where was his large box? It contained his entire year's income! How could it have suddenly disappeared? Were all the guards he kept in his mansion useless? How did no one notice? Also, what kind of thief dared to steal the money of the First Prince? They truly were seeking death for money.
A series of questions bombarded Feng Lipan's mind, leaving him standing there blankly, completely forgetting what he should do.
Xingyuan sat on the roof beam, observing Feng Lipan's constantly changing expressions with great interest. Feng Lipan's originally plump face looked somewhat ferocious due to his shock, and he appeared utterly dejected.
Seeing that the time was right, Xingyuan gracefully and silently landed on the ground. After lightly raising the box in his hand to attract Feng Lipan's attention, Xingyuan said with an involuntary hint of a smile, "Is this what you are looking for?"
Feng Lipan's gaze followed the sound, and upon seeing Xingyuan's face, he became extremely excited, "Master! Are you looking for me?"
Xingyuan was stunned and suddenly remembered the words the original host had used to fool him into leaving.
"We martial artists do not adhere to trivial matters; the world is our home. Therefore, you do not need to search for me. When your martial arts have reached great mastery, I will naturally come to find you!" So, Feng Lipan had believed this for so many years and hadn't suspected anything until now?
"Master, you have come to find me because my sincerity has moved you, and you are going to teach me true peerless martial arts?" Feng Lipan's face was full of anticipation. Who didn't have a dream of roaming the martial world?
Xingyuan was speechless for a moment, his mouth twitched. He said sincerely, "Even if I wanted to teach you, you are already past the age for practicing martial arts. How about this! I will give you a few more books, and you can study them carefully later. Also, I am not your master!"
"Alright!" Although Feng Lipan was a little disappointed, he still accepted this explanation and looked at Xingyuan with some grievance, "Then does the female hero like banknotes? Let this be my disciple-seeking gift! Can you stay at the mansion and teach me a few moves?"
Xingyuan really wanted to refuse, but his body was more honest than his brain. Perhaps it was the residual consciousness of the original host at play, but she agreed.
"Ahem, I heard when I came to the capital today that you were going to hold that flower appreciation banquet?" Xingyuan's reason returned, and he began to get to the point.
"Yes!" Feng Lipan sighed with a 45-degree melancholic posture. "After all, I am getting old, and it's time to get married! However, I don't want to spend my life with someone I don't know, so I am holding this banquet, hoping to find my destined true love."
After confirming the information was correct, Xingyuan pretended to casually mention, "Alas, I have never seen such a lively banquet in my life!"
Although Feng Lipan was sometimes stubborn, he was by no means foolish. He immediately understood Xingyuan's meaning and proactively invited, "Why don't the female hero come and join the fun at this banquet? If nothing else, the food at the banquet is all made by imperial chefs. The taste is quite good! Look at my physique; I've been eating their food since I was a child."
Xingyuan's brow twitched. He subtly sized up Feng Lipan. If he himself became so fat, then it would be unnecessary!
Xingyuan put on a hesitant expression, "Then, Your Highness, could you arrange a suitable identity for me?"
"Of course, no problem! You can say you are a friend from the martial world that I made while traveling. Female hero, rest assured, I am the First Prince of the Fengyuan Dynasty, so I don't think anyone would dare to make things difficult for you." Feng Lipan guaranteed with full confidence. Even if he couldn't have that position, as a prince who was a sure thing, no one would dare to offend him casually.
"Good, then I'll trouble Your Highness!" Xingyuan's eyes curved, and a brilliant smile appeared on her face. kuAiδugg
Feng Lipan looked at Xingyuan with some astonishment, a hint of joy in his eyes. If only... she were willing to stay by his side forever.
Xingyuan did not notice Feng Lipan's thoughts at all. After getting the answer she wanted, she bowed to Feng Lipan, handed him the two rare martial arts manuals she had prepared, and then happily left the First Prince's mansion with a small box of banknotes.
The First Prince: "..." He was just being polite, why didn't she refuse at all? These were hundreds of thousands of taels!
Fortunately, the manors and shops in other regions had not yet sent all of last year's income, otherwise, he, the dignified First Prince, would become a pauper after holding this flower appreciation banquet this year.
Xingyuan skillfully found a money house, deposited the banknotes into her previous account, and then found an inn in the capital to settle down. Everything was ready, and all that was left was the banquet.