Chapter 15 (2/2)

Zhao Churan smiled, causing Xia Qilin’s heart to burst with joy. He hurriedly spoke, “I’ve prepared a banquet, let’s speak after the reception is over.”

“Mn.” Zhao Churan didn’t reject it. She then followed Xia Qilin.

Just when she strode forward, she suddenly saw Xia Qingchen from the corner of her eye. She exclaimed in shock, “Cousin Qingchen? You also came?”

She had an ill-at-ease look on her face now.

“Cousin, it has been a long time since we last met.” Xia Qingchen walked over. His gaze was calm, completely not affected by her beauty.

Zhao Churan wavered for an instant before a faint smile appeared on her face. “Mother prepared a gift for the eldest uncle as well.”

A female servant walked over and took out a paper bag.

In it, one could see extremely cheap tea leaves. One could even buy this in Lone Cloud City.

An entire bag would cost less than twelve taels of silver.

Compared to the gifts prepared for the Northern Xia Manor that cost over 100,000 taels, this bag of tea leaves truly seemed extremely unpresentable.

Xia Qingchen sighed silently in his heart. Even his aunt was someone who played up to those in power.

His second uncle’s businesses were successful. This was why she prepared expensive gifts. His father’s accomplishments were inferior; hence, a casual gift would do for the sake of putting up a show.

Zhao Churan also felt embarrassed.

She initially intended to separately give the gifts when she visited each of their manors. She didn’t want her eldest uncle to know the difference in them.

But who could have expected that Xia Qingchen would be here to welcome her too?

Her expression soon became natural. In any case, her mother had no intention of being close to her eldest uncle. Even if he was unhappy, so be it. As long as they maintained a good relationship with their second uncle, it was already enough.

“Some tea leaves, this is my mother’s gift.” She passed the paper bag over.

Xia Qingchen accepted the gift with no change to his expression. He calmly spoke, “I will thank you on behalf of my father for Aunt’s kind intentions. Cousin, you must be hungry after your journey. I’ve already arranged a simple banquet to welcome you.”

The two Xia Clans held welcoming receptions for her.

But she didn’t feel too conflicted. She naturally smiled apologetically. “Cousin Qilin has invited me first. I have to apologize to Cousin Qingchen for rejecting you.”

Her original purpose here was to maintain a good relationship with the Northern Xia Manor.

Why should she care about the Southern Xia Manor’s feelings?

Xia Qingchen’s expression was calm. Since she didn’t want it, so be it. He had been unwilling to accompany her originally because it would have meant a waste of time that he could use for cultivation.

“Since this is the case, cousin please go on,” Xia Qingchen spoke nonchalantly. He didn’t feel upset at all.

After speaking, he simply turned and prepared to leave.

“Ai, cousin. Since you are already here, why is there a need to leave in a hurry? Isn’t it good to come with us and accompany our female cousin a little longer?” Xia Qilin suddenly spoke.

“No need.” Xia Qingchen casually spoke.

The silkpants young master understood Xia Qilin’s intention. He continued, “Yeah, if you leave like that, wouldn’t it make things ugly for your female cousin?”

Only then did Xia Qingchen halt his steps.

They had already said this. If he left now, it would truly be considered as him making the situation ugly for Zhao Churan.

“Fine then,” Xia Qingchen indifferently spoke. He completely disregarded the cold intent in the gazes of Xia Qilin and his friends.

“Move out!”

Under Xia Qilin’s lead, they went to the most prosperous region of Lone Cloud City. A majestic and imposing building filled with beauties appeared before their eyes.

“Immortal Pavilion?” Zhao Churan naturally knew about this place. The Immortal Pavilion in Lone Cloud City was a famous place deemed a paradise on earth.

Even for people living in the faraway nation capital, they had also heard of the Immortal Pavilion before.

She glanced at Xia Qilin as she mused silently, “Cousin’s clan must have achieved meteoric success. They can even afford to spend money on the Immortal Pavilion.”

Three years ago, this was clearly impossible.

She then glanced toward Xia Qingchen who remained silent at the side. She sighed again. Three years had passed, the Southern Xia Manor was still dull and lifeless, showing no hints of prospering at all.

Three of them were from the Xia Clan, but they shared different fates.