"Be careful, or I might hit you."
"What, is there some secret you little girl donât want me to know?"
"No, nothing." Mao Ruxue shook her head hastily.
Then, she proceeded like a defeated rooster, walking towards her home with Chen Changâan.
"Hold on, who are you two? No visitors are being received at the Royal Mansion today!"
However, they were stopped by two house servants at the entrance as soon as they reached it.
Seeing the two servants blocking their way, Chen Changâan was unperturbed, but Mao Ruxue suddenly became angry.
"Little Anzi, whatâs with the look in your eyes? Do you not recognize me?"
"Mis...Miss?! Miss, when did you come home?"
Upon hearing Mao Ruxue identify herself, Little Anzi, one of the house servants, rubbed his eyes and expressed surprise once he confirmed it was her.
"Little Anzi, you imbecile, this is the Missâs home, isnât it normal for her to come back!"
However, before Little Anzi could finish his confusion, he was knocked on the head by another servant.
"Ah, yes, yes, yes! Miss, welcome back!"
"Thatâs better." Mao Ruxue nodded, and then said to Chen Changâan:
"Brother, letâs go."
"Yes." Chen Changâan nodded, not quite understanding the dynamics of Mao Ruxueâs family.
"Miss, have you returned?"
"Please donât assume that we arenât aware of how much Lord and Madam have been thinking about you this past year."
As soon as Chen Changâan and Mao Ruxue entered the door, Little Anzi came up and said respectfully to Mao Ruxue.
Meanwhile, another servant raced into the mansion, shouting as he ran:
"Master, Madam, Miss is back~!"
"Master, Madam, Miss is back~!"
In no time at all, his voice echoed throughout the entire courtyard.
Immediately, the entire Mao Mansion became a flurry of activity.
"Oh, my child~! Have you come back?"
Shortly afterward, two figures rushed over.
They were a resolute-looking man and a middle-aged woman.
"Dad, mom, yes, itâs me. Iâm back. Iâm sorry for making you worry this past year." Mao Ruxue said shyly once she saw her parents.
At this point, Chen Changâan had a pretty good idea why this girl had kept her decision to leave for a mentorship a secret from her parents.
Indeed, given her personality, she could very well do something like this.
"Itâs good that youâve returned, itâs good that youâre back."
Mother Mao and Father Mao didnât care about how Mao Ruxue had left in the first place. For them now, the fact that she had returned was all that mattered.
Of course, when it comes to Mao Ruxueâs decision to leave home, her parents were pretty accepting of it.
They had no choice given that this wasnât the first time she had left since she was ten. It just happened that this time she was gone for a bit longer.
Moreover, according to the information brought back by a girl from the Li Family last time, their daughter seemed to have joined a Daoist sect.
So, despite their worry, they werenât too frantic about it.
"By the way, Ruxue, who is this?"
After the family had a chance to catch up, Mother Mao and Father Mao finally noticed Chen Changâan standing next to Mao Ruxue and asked immediately.
Mao Ruxue said:
"Dad, mom, this is my senior brother."
"I have been under his care for the past year, which is why I still look so radiant."
"So, heâs the Immortal Master."
Upon hearing Mao Ruxueâs introduction, her parents immediately understood what she meant.
They then respectfully bowed to Chen Changâan:
"We, two old folks, have met the Immortal Master."
"Thank you, Immortal Master, for taking care of our daughter this past year."
Upon hearing this, Chen Changâan quickly shook his head and returned the bow, saying:
"You two esteemed elders need not be so formal. Since my younger sister became my apprentice sister, it is only right that I take care of her."
Yes, thatâs right.
At this thought, Chen Changâan felt a bit sheepish and scratched his nose.
Over the past year, he should have taken care of Mao Ruxue, right? Right?
Yes, he did. After all, he was the one who cooked that roast swan at the beginning!
"Immortal Master, please come in."
Father Mao led Chen Changâan into the main hall, while Mao Ruxue followed Mother Mao to the rear quarter. It seemed they were going to have a private chat in her boudoir.
Chen Changâan didnât decline the invitation and followed Father Mao into the main hall.
The Mao familyâs decorations werenât extravagant, but the main hall was filled with the imagery of swords and blades.
At a glance, Chen Changâan could see many swords and blades hanging on the walls. Apart from these, many paintings were also hanging on the walls, giving off the aura of a great scholar.
It was clear to Chen Changâan that Mao Ruxueâs father was a skilled military man as well as a well-read official, a combination which was quite rare during these times, especially for a member of the royal family.
"Does the Immortal Master drink alcohol?"
Once they reached the main hall, Father Mao, who was known as Mao Zhengquan, asked Chen Changâan.
"Only when occupied, not when idle." Chen Changâan replied.
Then he said:
"I have heard that your esteemed selves have a type of tea known as âQingyuanâ here. I would like to taste it today, given the opportunity."
"Of course, there is. Immortal Master, please wait a bit, Iâll go and prepare it for you right away." Hearing this, Mao Zhengquan immediately nodded.