Zhou Yu's implication was that he was merely Elder Xie's mouthpiece!
Patriarch Zhu, upon hearing this, suddenly understood.
It seemed Elder Xie did not trust his grandson.
He was afraid Xie Yu might say the wrong thing.
So, he sent someone like Zhou Yu, a human surveillance device!
"I've heard of Divine Doctor Zhou's reputation for a long time. Seeing you in person is truly worth the reputation,"
"Please, sit down, sit down."
Patriarch Zhu immediately accepted Zhou Yu's explanation.
He gestured for the two to sit.
Throughout the entire process, Xie Yu's mouth was agape, with a single thought of "what the hell" running through his mind.
This actually worked?
Watching Zhou Yu and Patriarch Zhu converse so amiably, Xie Yu swallowed.
Today was truly an eye-opener!
As Zhou Yu spoke, he gestured for Xie Yu to bring out the gifts.
He then said to Patriarch Zhu, "Our visit today was rather sudden. We brought some small gifts to apologize. I hope Patriarch Zhu doesn't mind."
With that, Xie Yu placed the gift box in front of Patriarch Zhu.
Upon opening it.
Wow!
Even Patriarch Zhu's pupils dilated.
It was a ginseng root.
Judging by its appearance and aroma,
It was at least a hundred years old!
"This is a five-hundred-year-old ginseng. The Elder said that while the Xie family may not have much else, they have an abundance of medicinal herbs."
Zhou Yu said with a smile.
Five hundred years…
Patriarch Zhu touched the ginseng and pushed it back. "This is too valuable. Even hundred-year-old ginseng is rare. Five-hundred-year-old ginseng is priceless outside!"
Originally, Patriarch Zhu had expected the first meeting gift wouldn't be too cheap, but also not too extravagant!
Who knew the Xie family would present a five-hundred-year-old ginseng right off the bat!
Patriarch Zhu felt uneasy accepting such a gift before any negotiations were settled.
Xie Yu watched helplessly as the gift was returned, unsure of what to do.
It was Zhou Yu who stepped forward again, placing the gift bag back into Patriarch Zhu's hands.
He smiled and said, "Patriarch Zhu, please don't make it difficult for me, a mere errand runner. If the Elder knew, he would surely scold me for not handling things properly."
"Besides, this gift is the Elder's apology for not being able to visit in person! Please accept it."
Since Zhou Yu had put it this way,
If Patriarch Zhu refused again, it would appear the Zhu family was too arrogant.
With no other choice, Patriarch Zhu accepted it.
His impression of the Xie family improved significantly!
The first visit from the Shi family, though Patriarch Shi came in person,
The gift they brought was merely a scrap of warm jade, the lowest grade.
Extremely perfunctory!
But the Xie family, with their five-hundred-year-old ginseng!
In comparison, it was obvious who had more sincerity.
What Patriarch Zhu admired most was Zhou Yu himself.
Now, Patriarch Zhu understood why Zhu Ling'er was so interested in Zhou Yu.
He was indeed a remarkable person!
Zhou Yu's words successfully delivered a generous gift and expressed the Xie family's sincerity.
At the same time, it prevented the Xie family from appearing inferior or being looked down upon.
Now, Patriarch Zhu understood why Elder Xie had allowed an outsider like Zhou Yu to escort Xie Yu for the visit.
Despite Zhou Yu's young age, barely over twenty,
His thoughtfulness was comparable to an old fox!
As the saying goes, one's mouth is softened by receiving gifts and their hands are shortened.
Due to receiving the valuable gift, Patriarch Zhu's attitude became extremely warm thereafter.
As Zhou Yu and Xie Yu were about to leave, Patriarch Zhu held both their hands, calling them "nephew."
"Patriarch Zhu, there's no need to see us out. We, two juniors, are not worthy!" Zhou Yu declined Patriarch Zhu's offer to escort them.
He then led Xie Yu away.
Patriarch Zhu waved goodbye from behind as they had suggested.
As soon as Zhou Yu and Xie Yu left,
Zhu Ling'er burst from behind the screen.
Her appearance suggested she had overheard quite a bit!
"So impatient?" Patriarch Zhu said with a smile.
Zhu Ling'er nodded.
When Zhou Yu visited this time, Zhu Ling'er had wanted to be present to host him.
However, Patriarch Zhu feared his daughter, too naive, might reveal the Zhu family's intentions directly,
Letting the Xie family know their bottom line.
Therefore, he had not agreed.
As a result, Zhu Ling'er could only eavesdrop from behind the screen!
Now that Zhou Yu was finally gone,
Zhu Ling'er excitedly asked, "Dad, after meeting Zhou Yu, do you feel the same way I do about him?"
Patriarch Zhu glanced at his daughter and smiled, nodding. "He is indeed a remarkable person. It's clear the Xie family values him quite highly."
Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent Zhou Yu to escort Xie Yu.
Moreover, from their previous conversation,
Xie Yu deferred to Zhou Yu in everything, acting according to Zhou Yu's wishes.
It was evident that Zhou Yu held a significant position in the Xie family.
Zhu Ling'er chuckled, "What do you think about us poaching him?"
Such an idea…
Patriarch Zhu immediately waved his hand. "Don't even think about it. I heard Zhou Yu is only helping the Xie family temporarily; he's not one of their retainers."
"Besides, the Xie family values Zhou Yu so highly; they might even intend to marry Xie Shishi to him. You can't poach someone from under their noses."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ling'er's smile froze.
Yes.
How had she not thought of that!
Given how much the Xie family valued Zhou Yu, they might indeed plan to marry Xie Shishi to him!
Zhu Ling'er had always found Zhou Yu interesting, viewing him merely as a conquest.
But hearing Patriarch Zhu's words, for some reason, Zhu Ling'er felt a pang in her heart.
"No!" Zhu Ling'er declared resolutely.
Patriarch Zhu smiled. "No to what? No to Zhou Yu becoming the Xie family's son-in-law, or…?"
Zhu Ling'er stomped her foot. "Neither! Zhou Yu has no power or influence, the Xie family shouldn't look favorably upon him."
Patriarch Zhu stroked her head and smiled.
"That's not necessarily true. Although Zhou Yu has no background, he is an outstanding individual."
From their brief conversation, Patriarch Zhu had discovered that Zhou Yu not only possessed exceptional medical skills,
But was also a martial artist.
His cultivation level was at least at the Houtian Anjin (Inner Strength) stage!
Furthermore, Zhou Yu was extremely astute, with excellent judgment and composure.
Such a young man was like gold.
What family wouldn't desire such talent to join them?
And the best way to bind talent was through marriage!
Even Patriarch Zhu could see this; he didn't believe Elder Xie, that old fox, wouldn't see it too.
"Dad…"
Zhu Ling'er drooped her face, showing her displeasure.
Patriarch Zhu couldn't bear to see it. He admonished, "If you find him interesting and want to interact with him, that's fine, but don't get any other ideas."
"Don't forget, your grandfather arranged a childhood engagement for you before he passed away!"
Zhu Ling'er pouted.
If Patriarch Zhu hadn't mentioned it, she would have almost forgotten!
No one in the Zhu family even remembered the name of that betrothed person.
They would have to go back and check the marriage contract to find out.
"This engagement has been for so many years, and he hasn't shown up. He probably forgot about it himself."
"Dad, are you willing to let me marry someone I've never met and whose character is unknown?"
Zhu Ling'er put on a pitiful expression.