Chapter 281: Lonely Old Scheme

The maid standing nearby couldn't help but shed tears at this sight, but she made sure not to disturb the reunion between the lady and her young master.

It was quite some time before the mother and son finally parted.

"Let me have a good look at you, Yuansheng. You've grown so much..."

With tear-filled eyes, Mrs. Mu gazed at her child. They hadn't seen each other in nearly five years. The three-year-old boy she remembered had grown sturdy and strong, his fair and soft complexion suggesting he hadn't endured any hardship.

"Yuansheng, have you been eating well? Sleeping soundly? Has anyone bullied you? Oh, and where is your father?"

"Mother, I'm cultivating at an immortal's abode, not exiled or banished. Father is doing very well, too. By the way, you're Xiaocui, aren't you? You've changed a lot, but I'm sure it's you!"

The maid, wiping away her tears, responded with a smile.

"Young Master Yuansheng, you still remember me! I thought after five years, a child as young as you would have forgotten me by now."

"Hmph, that's absurd! I, the Young Master, am no ordinary child!"

Wei Yuansheng declared proudly, then turned to speak to his mother and Xiaocui.

"There are so many interesting things in the mountains. Let me tell you about them, Mother..."

Wei Yuansheng excitedly recounted his life on the immortal mountain to his mother. Knowing that ordinary people were curious about cultivating practices like "eating mist and drinking dew," he deliberately chose to share only the most wondrous tales.

He hadn't spoken long when a servant rushed from the front of the house to the inner courtyard, bringing news of the family head's return and asking Mrs. Mu to come to the front hall.

It was then that Wei Yuansheng seemed to recall something.

"Oh, that's right, Mother! This time, it's not just Father and me who have returned. I've also brought my senior brother and sister from the sect! They are my martial uncle's disciples, and on the mountain, besides Father and Master, they're the closest to me!"

"Come on, let's go! Quickly, come with me to the front!"

In the front courtyard of the Wei family mansion, all Wei clansmen residing in Desheng Prefecture City with some standing rushed to the family head's residence. Even the Wei family's elderly patriarch from the old ancestral home hurried over.

Wei Wuwei was in the living room with Guan He and Shang Yiyi.

More and more Wei clansmen arrived, including Wei Wuwei's eldest uncle and third uncle. Being surrounded by such a large crowd made the two, who had spent their lives in the immortal's abode, feel somewhat unaccustomed.

Shang Yiyi, in particular, with her appearance, seemed to the Wei clansmen to be nothing short of an immortal or a celestial maiden; such ethereal beauty was simply not found in the mortal realm.

Fortunately, the astute Wei Wuwei was there, ensuring the two didn't feel too awkward. His authority as family head had not diminished during his years away; instead, it had become even more pronounced upon his return.

A few stern words from him were enough to curb the Wei family's excitement significantly. Those responsible for serving tea did so, and those preparing the banquet got to work. Only a select few important, older figures who understood decorum remained in the living room as company.

Only after Wei Wuwei had politely dismissed everyone else did he smile apologetically at the two esteemed disciples from the immortal's abode.

"Haha... My family members are perhaps a little too curious and enthusiastic. I hope you'll forgive their behavior."

Hearing Wei Wuwei's apology, the two quickly replied.

"Uncle Wei, please don't say that; we wanted to come!" "That's right, Uncle Wei. Yuansheng always spoke of how interesting New Year's Eve is, and we were curious, so we came as soon as he invited us. In fact, we should be thanking you!"

"That's good to hear, that's good."

Wei Wuwei courteously offered a brief introduction of the elderly patriarch, his eldest uncle, and his third uncle to the two guests. He had barely spoken a few words when Wei Yuansheng's excited voice rang out from behind, and he quickly led Mrs. Mu into the living room.

"Sister Yiyi, Senior Brother Guan, this is my mother, and this is Xiaocui!"

Wei Yuansheng happily introduced his mother to his senior brother and sister. Both Mrs. Mu and Xiaocui gracefully performed a full bow of respect; while Yuansheng could be informal, they knew better, especially in the presence of immortals.

Across from them, Guan He and Shang Yiyi also quickly returned the gesture.

Grinning, Wei Yuansheng walked over to his senior brother and sister, pointing at each of them as he spoke to Mrs. Mu.

"Mother, this is Senior Brother Guan He. When I was younger and not strong enough to fetch water, he often helped me, and he also helped me tend to the herb garden. And this is Senior Sister Yiyi; she often found delicious treats for me and even secretly took me to..."

"Cough, cough..."

Wei Wuwei cleared his throat twice. Meanwhile, Yiyi's face flushed slightly, feeling as though she were corrupting a child right in front of his mother.

"In any case, today is New Year's Eve, and we've come home to celebrate the New Year together. Tonight's reunion feast must be lively and joyous!"

Wei Wuwei finished speaking loudly, then nodded slightly at his wife, a silent affection evident in the gesture, which brought a blush to Mrs. Mu's cheeks.

With Wei Yuansheng there, the atmosphere quickly became harmonious. Under his mediation, Shang Yiyi and Guan He gradually began to immerse themselves in the festive New Year's spirit of the Wei mansion.

In the immortal's abode, as long as one wasn't in secluded cultivation, the transition from the old to the new year was typically an important occasion, marked by a unique festive atmosphere. The mountain flowers and spring water in the Jade Embrace Sacred Realm would undergo subtle changes, and younger disciples would even receive small items crafted by their masters.

However, the New Year's atmosphere on Jade Embrace Mountain was nowhere near as vibrant as the joyous celebration at the Wei mansion. Especially with the return of the family head and young master, the entire Wei household brimmed with festivity and cheer, which Shang Yiyi and Guan He also found quite amusing.

The happiest during the New Year are always the elderly and children. Sometimes, Wei Yuansheng would show off a small spell, eliciting continuous gasps of amazement from everyone, old and young, in the family. The Wei family's patriarch, too, remained close by.

Simultaneously, an invitation was dispatched to Ning'an County by two of the Wei family's experts. Although it was impossible to make it for the New Year's Eve feast, since Wei Wuwei and Wei Yuansheng had returned, this gesture of courtesy was absolutely essential.

Furthermore, this time, the Wei father and son had descended the mountain not only to visit relatives but also for another important reason: to meet Ji Yuan.

Draped in cloaks, the two Wei mansion experts, each riding two horses, galloped with all their might directly towards Ning'an County.

At this moment, in the small Ju'an Pavilion, Ji Yuan sat on a small bamboo chair in the courtyard, leaning back against the house wall with his legs crossed, watching the snowflakes fall.

Although his appearance suggested a lonely old man, Ji Yuan felt no particular sense of loss, apart from occasionally thinking of his family from his previous life.

After returning from the capital, Ji Yuan spent some time studying the yellow paper figures he had acquired from Du Changsheng, and then fell into a long sleep.

Waking up today, he went for noodles and discovered that the chef at Sun's Noodle Stall was no longer Old Man Sun, but his youngest son. It was then he learned that Old Man Sun was too old to work and was at home, eagerly awaiting his son to close the stall early and return for the New Year's celebration.

The term "New Year" seemed to have grown somewhat unfamiliar to Ji Yuan. He knew the date was the thirtieth of the twelfth month when he woke up, but it wasn't until he overheard discussions at the noodle stall and among passersby that the realization of the New Year's arrival truly dawned on him.

"Mr. Ji... Mr. Ji..."

A very faint voice called from outside the door, and Ji Yuan smiled.

"Come in, the door isn't locked."

No sooner had he spoken than a red fox carefully pushed open the courtyard gate, then tiptoed into the yard. Once inside, it swiftly closed and even bolted the door.

"Judging by your appearance, did you run into a pack of dogs?"

Ji Yuan's teasing remark made Hu Yun quickly raise a fox paw to its mouth and "hush" him.

"Mr. Ji, today is New Year's Eve, the human energy is intense, and the yang aura is exceptionally strong. Even the dogs are acting strangely. It was a great risk for me to come and wish you a Happy New Year!"

"Hahahahaha... You fox, you've at least refined your transverse bone! To say such things is truly a disgrace to your kind!"

"Disgraceful or not, it's better than being chased by dogs!"

After confirming there were no dogs outside the courtyard, Hu Yun scurried a few steps to Ji Yuan, stood on its hind legs, and cupped its paws in a salute.

"Hu Yun, on behalf of Lu Shan Jun and myself, extends New Year greetings to Mr. Ji!"

"New Year greetings are reserved for the Spring Festival; New Year's Eve doesn't count."

Ji Yuan stood up and headed to the kitchen, intending to offer Hu Yun some honey tea.

"Oh, Mr. Ji, it's not that we don't understand etiquette. It's just that during the upcoming Spring Festival, Lu Shan Jun wants me to cultivate with him. He's beginning his transformation, absorbing new vital energy at the very moment the old year transitions into the new spring, as you taught us. So, I won't be able to come for the Spring Festival."

"He truly looks out for you... I understand. Please send my regards to him when you return."

Ji Yuan replied and prepared to boil water, while Hu Yun slyly scurried into the kitchen, fixing its gaze on a small jar beside the stove.

"Hehehe... Mr. Ji, you don't actually need to bother boiling water. I don't even like tea; just some honey would be perfect."

Ji Yuan looked at the fox, feeling a bit like a "wild pig unable to appreciate fine bran." He wondered if Hu Yun would ever understand the subtle rituals of life.

He took an empty bowl, scooped a few spoonfuls of honey from the jar, and handed the bowl directly to the red fox.

"Here, take it."

"Hehehehe... Thank you, Mr. Ji!"

Hu Yun carefully took the bowl, extended its tongue, and cautiously licked the honey, feeling the refreshing sweetness spread from its tongue to nourish its very core.