Chapter 658 484 Yuan Fuyao_2

In the Central Hall, there were also several boxes of Spiritual Objects, it appeared that Yuan Huyuan made a special trip, taking this matter very seriously.

Only then did Li Yuexiang respond, and Yuan Huyuan immediately burst into joy, eagerly coming forward and said in a low voice,

"I have had connections with your father... it's a pity that you've suffered..."

Li Yuexiang had grown used to hearing this and simply changed the subject, turning her attention to Yuan Fuyao. Yuan Huyuan instantly began to introduce him, saying some flattering words, when another person arrived outside the door.

This person had a head full of white hair and had hurried over, it was none other than Li Xuanxuan. His aged voice carried a hint of apology,

"I truly apologize, Elder, all members of our family at the Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level are in seclusion, and Qinghong has gone to the East Sea, leaving only me, a Qi Cultivator, to receive you."

Hearing this, Yuan Huyuan waved his hand and replied,

"No worries, no worries! For a Cultivator of your status to receive us is already extraordinary. Our families have a relationship; there's no need for formalities."

The few people were all warm and friendly, chatting away amiably, leaving only Li Yuexiang and Yuan Fuyao awkwardly standing in place. Li Xihong, who could see the situation more clearly, smiled and said,

"Xiang Sister, why don't you show the young master the scenery of the lake?"

The two of them went down together, and it was then that Yuan Huyuan restrained his smiling face and said with all seriousness,

"Do you two know about the situation of my family?"

Li Xuanxuan paused for a moment before replying,

"I know a bit."

Yuan Huyuan pondered for a while, then said in a deep voice,

"Now... if both Chengdun cannot come back, it's feared that things will become unpredictable! Fuyao is Chengdun's only child, I can only ask your clan to take care of him!"

"This was something Elder Chengdun had discussed some time ago..."

The look on Yuan Huyuan's face grew increasingly troubled, his aged face trembling, he merely said,

"For this visit, I've cast aside my old pride to ask if your clan could lend the assistance of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator..."

Li Xuanxuan was taken aback and for a moment did not speak.

Having been reminded by Li Xizhi, he understood well that the Yuan Family was now in complete disarray and he couldn't be certain if they were a part of Green Pond's strategy. He didn't want to get involved anymore.

Still, the two families had a bond of friendship, and protecting the offspring of Yuan Chengdun was not a big issue; a child that could be sent away at a critical moment was naturally no problem. But to meddle further would be an entirely different matter!

Li Xuanxuan was inherently cautious by nature, only wishing to properly protect his family's Qilin child for a few years to come. His face was filled with his trouble, but seeing his expression, Yuan Huyuan spoke even more softly,

"I understand the matter with Yuanjiao, and the Li Clan is also in a time of many troubles... but my family..."

Yuan Huyuan was well aware of his own family's predicament, but as an elder, he always hoped to salvage and compensate, never daring to give up. He had already sought help from all his relationships, leaving only the Li Family to turn to.

Li Xuanxuan heaved a silent sigh, finding no option but to remind,

"Elder! The rain has been falling for too long!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huyuan stepped back as if struck by lightning, realizing that the Li Family was aware of the Yuan's current situation. With the death of the old ancestor Yuan Licheng and Buzi gone, they had become pawns of Green Pond, used to influence Xiuyue. The risks in their affairs were too great for involvement. With a bitter smile, he said,

"Fine... fine... I just ask that you all take good care of Fuyao."

Li Xuanxuan offered consolation,

"Your clan has deep roots; it will all pass eventually."

Yuan Huyuan remained silent, in the eye of the storm, unable to say much, and took his leave with a bow.

Meanwhile, Li Yuexiang had stepped back, and Yuan Fuyao, taking strides, followed her out of the hall, complaining,

"Seeing them paying empty compliments is so uninteresting!"

Li Yuexiang bowed her head, eyes fluttering slightly, and responded,

"Our families have been on good terms for many years; of course, they need to have a proper chat."

Yuan Fuyao quickly nodded, echoing her sentiment.

In truth, Yuan Fuyao had felt rather unhappy on his journey here, as he was quite averse to the idea of an arranged marriage. But Yuan Huyuan's word was law, and he couldn't muster any objections, simply bracing himself for the visit.

On the way, he schemed, thinking that since the marriage arrangements were not yet settled, it should be easy to find some fault and claim incompatibility as a pretext to refuse the arrangement.

But upon seeing Li Yuexiang, looking so heavenly, all his disgruntlement had already been cast to the winds. He stared at her, nodding repeatedly, his earlier thoughts forgotten, internally praising,

'Such beauty! Such beauty! Rare even among my own kin.'

Li Yuexiang seemed not to notice, as she led him along the lake, discussing trivial matters. Suddenly, Yuan Fuyao spotted the large dam on the lake, puzzled, he asked,

"What's this for, raising spiritual fish?"

Li Yuexiang answered softly,

"To block the lake waters and secure the region, ensuring peace for the people."

Yuan Fuyao sighed repeatedly and said,

"Our family is far from nobility. Recently, with the continuous heavy rain, I've been handling affairs on the plain. I've mentioned it several times to my family, but they always find it a waste of manpower and refuse to send cultivators to help!"

It turned out that Yuan Fuyao, under the arrangements of Yuan Chengdun, had always been managing the town and its people on Mushroom Forest Plain. Now that he had opened up, he spoke one point after another, with considerable depth, on the governance of civilians and the control of the populace.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuexiang nodded internally, but on the surface, she still wore a smiling expression,

"The cultivators naturally do not fear this rainfall, but the people living by the lake will suffer."

Yuan Fuyao suddenly realized this. Although his expression didn't change much, he thought to himself,

'I've long heard that the Li Clan is good at nurturing people, and it really is the case.'

Li Yuexiang didn't want to talk to him about these matters any longer. She merely inquired for some news and then saw Yuan Fuyao begin to boastfully talk about all sorts of unsettled matters from every corner of the land. Li Yuexiang casually listened until he suddenly asked,

"My father personally visited the nobility. I wonder if he left any message for me? Or perhaps he left something for me?"

Li Yuexiang's eyes narrowed slightly as she thought to herself,

"It seems... Yuan Chengdun went off to the East Sea in one breath... and did not leave any message for the Yuan Family..."

Li Yuexiang had no intention of taking advantage of the betrothal gifts and gently answered,

"He did leave betrothal gifts, which are in the Central Hall. The young master can ask Senior Huyuan."

Li Yuexiang had not expected that as soon as she uttered these words, Yuan Fuyao, who had previously appeared meek, puffed out his chest and lifted his chin slightly, looking much more confident as he hummed in acknowledgement.

After the two chatted for a while, Yuan Huyuan had already arrived on the wind, with a group of followers, and said to Yuan Fuyao,

"You should cultivate here. For all matters, ask Yuexiang for advice."

Yuan Fuyao seemed somewhat taken aback and could only nod blankly. Yuan Huyuan gave a friendly smile to Li Yuexiang and left on the wind.

Yuan Fuyao's Cave Mansion was already prepared. Li Yuexiang, along with him and a few attendants, went over, and soon after, she bid them farewell and left. Yuan Fuyao let the attendants check the Cave Mansion before finally sitting down to drink tea.

A confidant on the left side asked,

"Young Master, what do you think of this Miss Li from the Li Family?"

Yuan Fuyao was slightly taken aback and praised,

"She truly is a beauty, but her mind is quite occupied."

The confidant asked in a low voice,

"Occupied...?"

Yuan Fuyao nodded and said with some difficulty,

"I've heard that she has a brother in the sect who's already reached the Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level. If I were to marry her, I'm afraid our lineage would have no choice but to heed the Li Family's commands!"

The confidants exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond to him. They dared not speak ill, for if this girl from the Li Family were to become their mistress and questioned them later, it would be no laughing matter. Suddenly, Yuan Fuyao said in a low voice,

"Go and find out exactly what my father has prepared for the Li Family. Is there any chance of reclaiming what's in their hands?"

The confidant hurried off while Yuan Fuyao sat solemnly, contemplating to himself,

"It all depends on whether we can take back those things and not fall completely under someone else's roof... into the hands of the Li Family."

...

After Li Yuexiang left, Li Xuanxuan quickly sought her out, apparently having just finished receiving the news and hurried over to look after her granddaughter. Seeing Li Yuexiang stepping inside, she eagerly asked,

"How did it go?"

Li Yuexiang waved her hand. Seeing her great-grandfather didn't seem unusual, she replied,

"This Yuan Fuyao... knows the people quite well, besides being boastful, shows some cleverness. His personality does appear to be somewhat indolent and greedy, but his actions are still considered proper. I can't tell if it's all an act; we need to observe him more closely."

"Ah?!"

Li Xuanxuan was immediately startled and responded,

"Why this impression? Are you sure you saw it right?"

Li Yuexiang, relying solely on her own judgment and now questioned by her great-grandfather, also became somewhat uncertain and said,

"I haven't seen too many people during my time in the mountains, perhaps my observation is not accurate. It's just a pity that my brother is in seclusion..."

Li Xuanxuan waved his hand and said,

"That's easy to handle. I'll have Chengliao and others test him... There's no need for you to do it yourself."