Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1361 - 440: Cai Qiu Sword Saint, A Confused Naturalization, Miss Mengya_5

Su Xing’er promptly corrected her eldest brother, stating with gravity, "If not for encountering Lord Hong, we would still be without any standing, neither noble nor lowly. We would likely have perished on the Bone-Eroding Path."

"Yes, my words were indeed foolish."

Su Jing’s countenance immediately cleared, and he nodded emphatically.

"Young masters, young lady, Housekeeper Zhou has dispatched a message stating the Lord is returning shortly. We must proceed to the mansion’s entrance to offer our welcome," a maid’s voice suddenly announced from the doorway just as Su Jing was about to speak.

Without any hesitation, the four siblings rose and made their way to the main entrance.

It is customary for everyone to gather at the door to greet the master of the house upon his return, a rule of noble etiquette in Cai Qiu, as the maid had just elucidated to the four of them.

Much like the reception they received that afternoon, the entire household, numbering over two hundred individuals, swiftly assembled at the entrance. This time, however, the four siblings took the lead, rather than Zhou Qing.

Since entering the city, the four siblings had not seen Xia Hong for almost half a day. A sense of emptiness pervaded them, and with his imminent return, they naturally gazed toward the city center with eager anticipation.

Jingle jingle...

Soon, a clear and melodious chiming sound reached their ears.

Following this, a colossal human-powered carriage, measuring ten meters long and eight meters wide, pulled by thirty porters clad in green uniforms, commenced its slow progress from the city center along the main thoroughfare towards the assembled crowd.

The carriage was entirely fashioned from purple material, its construction clearly indicative of its valuable origins. The roof was adorned with an unidentified red Beast Fur, offering protection from the elements while projecting an aura of warmth and elegance. Each flank featured a half-meter-wide small window, draped with delicate pink gauze curtains. Emerald wind chimes were suspended in a circle from the eaves, their gentle ringing accompanying the carriage’s movement...

"A carriage eight meters in width, requiring thirty porters – this is a designation reserved solely for princely status!"

Upon beholding the carriage, the four siblings instantly recalled the nuances of noble etiquette imparted by the maids earlier that day, their expressions growing momentarily strained.

Su Xing’er seemed to sense an impending shift, and her demeanor instantly darkened.

Zhou Qing and the other two hundred servants reacted with remarkable promptness, descending to their knees from fifty paces away, their heads bowed low.

"Young master, young lady, that is the carriage belonging to Miss Mengya, the daughter of the city lord. While you, possessing noble status, are not required to kneel, you must bow your heads respectfully when she arrives, never meeting her gaze directly," Zhou Qing instructed.

It was evident that Zhou Qing was a most diligent housekeeper, concerned that Su Jing and the others might neglect the etiquette lessons from the afternoon due to their relatively lower standing, and thus offered a timely reminder.

The four siblings immediately comprehended and promptly lowered their heads.

Jingle jingle...

As the enchanting melody of the wind chimes drew nearer and then ceased abruptly, the four understood that the carriage had arrived. Despite keeping their heads bowed and being unable to see, a subtle tension still coursed through them.

"Brother Hong, you just promised to accompany me to the White Phoenix Forest next month to gather rabbit fur. Mengya is counting on your word, so please do not go back on your promise..." a charming and alluring female voice emanated from within the carriage as it momentarily paused.

The bodies of Su Jing’s three elder brothers subtly stiffened.

As for Su Xing’er, her head still bowed, she could not help but inwardly roll her eyes and purse her lips upon hearing the familiar voice.

"Hahaha, absolutely no problem, the White Phoenix Forest is but a small matter. I happen to be staying in Qinghua City for a time, so simply come find me before we depart next month," replied Xia Hong's voice, tinged with a slight intoxication and radiating evident good cheer. He even thumped his chest heartily as he spoke.

"That's wonderful! Mengya thanks Brother Hong in advance."

"My meeting with Uncle Yunzhou was exceptionally fruitful; this small favor is insignificant, there is no need for such courtesy. Hmm, why has the carriage halted? Have we arrived already?"

"We have indeed arrived! If it weren't so late, Mengya would truly have preferred to linger with Brother Hong for a while longer, listening to more tales of affairs in the Great Qin Feudal Town!"

"There is no need for haste, Miss Mengya. We have ample time ahead of us..."

Following Xia Hong's pronouncement, a brief exchange of hushed words ensued from within the carriage, after which a maid slowly drew back the curtain.

Two porters were already positioned by the carriage; Xia Hong, appearing somewhat unsteady from his drinks, stepped directly onto a porter’s back to disembark.

Observing Xia Hong in a state where he seemed on the verge of stumbling, the four siblings hastened forward to offer their support.

With cheeks flushed, Xia Hong turned towards the carriage, a smile gracing his lips as he waved, "Miss Mengya, when you find yourself with leisure, perhaps we could share a few drinks, just the two of us?"

"Hehehe, that depends on whether my father approves. Brother Hong, you should head home and rest early! Mengya will pay you a visit another day. Goodbye."

As the maiden’s voice faded, the carriage began to slowly pivot, clearly intending to depart.

"Goodbye, goodbye, take care, Miss Mengya!"

Having overheard their lingering, affectionate exchange for quite some time, Su Xing'er, despite keeping her gaze lowered, had already made a complete pout. Noticing the carriage's imminent departure, she couldn't help but steal a glance upwards.

As fate would have it, the maidservant within the carriage had not yet fully lowered the silk curtain at that precise moment.

Consequently, Su Xing'er found her eyes meeting Cai Mengya's from behind the partial obstruction.

Her voice was indeed a match for her appearance. Cai Mengya possessed a pair of long, bright eyes akin to a fox's, with delicately upturned ends. Within their captivating depths, a liquid shimmer seemed to perpetually reside, shifting subtly and exuding an intoxicating, bewitching charm.

"What a lovely little girl..."

The moment of eye contact was fleeting. As the curtain finally dropped, the carriage resumed its slow progress. Cai Mengya paused briefly before offering this elegant compliment.

Tsk...

Naturally, Su Xing'er dared not utter a sound. After their brief encounter, she immediately bowed her head once more, rolling her eyes inwardly upon hearing Cai Mengya's assessment.

"Alright, let us return to the estate!"

The seemingly inebriated Xia Hong, upon hearing Cai Mengya's words, first glanced back at Su Xing'er before gesturing for Zhou Qing and the two hundred kneeling individuals to rise and escort them back.

Swiftly, Xia Hong led Su Jing and the other three back to the main residence. Assuming the principal seat, he promptly dismissed Zhou Qing and the attending servants.

The quartet surmised that he was unaccustomed to such attentiveness, diligently preparing hot water and fresh towels, clearly intending to help him regain his sobriety.

Hoo...

Observing the four diligently attending to him, Xia Hong exhaled softly. The earlier flush on his face vanished instantly, returning to its normal hue. He smiled, inquiring, "You have all changed your attire. In this short span, how has your journey been?"

The four turned their heads, noticing the complete absence of any lingering drunkenness on Xia Hong's countenance. They immediately grasped that he had been feigning his earlier condition.

"Hahaha, I had a feeling! Lord Hong has a family; surely he isn't that dissolute. You were merely pretending to deceive Cai Mengya, weren't you?"

Su Xing'er was the most elated. The image of Xia Hong in her heart was restored, and she couldn't help but clap her hands in delight.

Xia Hong shook his head, casting a look of mild exasperation at Su Xing'er. "That Cai Mengya holds a grudge. She will undoubtedly remember that glance you gave her. I was present today, so naturally, she wouldn't dare to act rashly. You must exercise greater caution when venturing out in the future!"

Hearing Xia Hong's words, Su Xing'er froze for a moment. Then, clutching the hem of her clothes guiltily, she spoke, "Lord Hong, I apologize. Xing'er has caused you trouble..."

"How is that trouble? I advised you to be cautious for your own protection, it has nothing to do with me..."

Xia Hong waved his hand, a flicker of self-assurance in his eyes. "Within Qinghua City, no one has the power to threaten me. I intend to remain here for some time."

After speaking, he retrieved a yellow packet from within his robes and produced several small porcelain bottles, his eyes gleaming with a hint of excitement.

"The Treasure Pavilion, what a place! Even in this humble Qinghua City, such wonders can be found. Consider the County City, and even more so the Treasure Pavilion in the capital Feudal Town – won't there be exponentially more treasures? It is truly the right place, the very right place..."

Xia Hong's gaze was alight with anticipation as he slowly unsealed the porcelain bottles.