They hadn't gone far when a group of people came running toward them from the front. Leading them was the head of the Lü family, Lü Liang.
Lü Liang wore a long, cyan robe. He had a slender build and a small mustache above his upper lip, giving him a refined and scholarly air. His narrow eyes, however, constantly radiated a shrewd light.
His first impression was shrewdness; his second was also shrewdness.
He strode out from within, his face beaming with joy and excitement, laughing heartily as he hurried over to Qiu Yimeng and bowed respectfully. "Miss Qiu graces us with her presence! It brings immense honor to my Lü family!"
Although he was the patriarch, the Lü family had risen under the Qiu family's patronage, and Qiu Yimeng held a high status within the Qiu family. Thus, Lü Liang dared not be careless when meeting her.
Moreover, it was always he, Lü Liang, who went to Zhongdu to visit the Qiu family. It was the first time a direct member of the Qiu family had come to their Lü family home. For a moment, Lü Liang was both excited and pleasantly surprised, treating her with the highest courtesy.
Qiu Yimeng smiled politely. "Uncle, you're too kind. We were just passing through and decided to rest here for a bit. I hope we're not imposing?"
Lü Liang waved his hands hurriedly. "How could you be imposing? Niece, your visit is an honor for the Lü family. Everyone in the Lü household would naturally welcome you with open arms. There's no question of imposition!"
Qiu Yimeng's affectionate address of "Uncle" delighted Lü Liang even more. He secretly thought to himself that all those years of traveling to Zhongdu hadn't been in vain; his relationship with the Qiu family was now truly solid.
In just a few exchanges, the distance between them had visibly shortened. The senior members of the Lü family behind Lü Liang all wore broad smiles and came forward one by one to pay their respects.
After some polite conversation, Lü Liang's expression turned serious. He glanced solemnly at the two Blood Servants, then directed his gaze at Yang Kai. "Niece, and this young gentleman is...?"
Lü Liang had a keen eye and naturally recognized that Yang Kai was of no ordinary status. Otherwise, he wouldn't have two Shenyou Realm experts following behind him.
Qiu Yimeng pursed her lips in a smile but didn't answer directly. She simply raised her hand and pointed toward the sky.
Just at that moment, an eagle's cry rang out. The Lü family members looked up, and in an instant, Lü Liang understood Yang Kai's identity.
His face immediately grew solemn, and he spoke in a deep voice, "So it's Young Master Yang!"
"Patriarch Lü," Yang Kai replied calmly, clasping his hands in greeting.
The other Lü family elders were all startled, secretly sizing up Yang Kai.
The Yang family had been actively gathering their scattered direct descendants, and the cry of the Silver-Blood Golden-Feather Eagle had resounded throughout the entire Han Dynasty. The Blood Servant Hall's experts were frequently dispatched. How could the Lü family not know about such major events?
Yet, they never expected to actually meet one of the Yang family's young masters today!
Looking closely, they noticed that the young man before them had a steady gaze, a resolute expression, and a calm demeanor. While he didn't appear particularly remarkable at first glance, he possessed an innate bearing worthy of a great family's heir. This realization sent a chill of respect through their hearts, reminding them that no one who emerged from the Yang family was someone to be trifled with.
Lü Liang laughed heartily again, stepping aside and gesturing with his hand. "Niece, Young Master Yang, please, come inside, come inside!"
As he ushered them in, he called back to the people behind him, "Go prepare the finest food and wine! Having two distinguished guests today is a great honor for the Lü family. We absolutely must not be negligent!"
"Yes!"
Qiu Yimeng smiled faintly and took Luo Xiaoman by the arm, walking inside. Yang Kai followed at an unhurried pace.
Inside the Lü family's main hall, tables were laden with all sorts of delicious delicacies and a dazzling array of rare fruits. Pitcher after pitcher of fine wine were brought in by beautiful maids.
The atmosphere in the hall was lively. Everyone toasted and drank, creating a scene of great festivity.
Qiu Yimeng and Luo Xiaoman were women, so it wasn't appropriate for them to drink alcohol. Lü Liang, clearly mindful of this, had specifically prepared a fruit wine unique to the Lü family for them. It had a pleasant fragrance and wouldn't cause intoxication.
The two women drank it with evident enjoyment.
Yang Kai's status was different. Although he was a man, no one dared to pressure him to drink more. When the numerous Lü family elders came to offer toasts, they would drain their own cups in one gulp, leaving Yang Kai to drink as he pleased.
Tang Yuxian's treatment was the same as Qiu Yimeng and Luo Xiaoman's; she too had fruit wine in her cup.
Only Tu Feng drank with hearty abandon.
As a Blood Servant of the Yang family, his status in front of these Lü family members was quite considerable.
The Lü family elders were all visibly excited, frequently raising their cups to Tu Feng.
Tu Feng sat below Yang Kai, remaining motionless. Whenever someone came to toast him, he would drink it all in one go, his easygoing and bold manner further enlivening the scene.
These members of the Lü family were influential figures within a thousand-mile radius, but in front of the Yang family's Blood Servants, they were nothing. They maintained the lowest possible attitude and posture.
In the past, they had only heard the reputation of the Blood Servants but had never seen one in person. Now, with two appearing at once, they naturally wouldn't let the opportunity pass easily.
Lü Liang's social skills were well-deserved. His eloquence was first-rate; his words were filled with praise and flattery, yet he managed to avoid making them sound deliberate, which only increased everyone's comfort.
After several rounds of wine, everyone noticed with some surprise that this young master, Yang Kai, seemed quite unpretentious. He wasn't like the arrogant and domineering figure of rumors. His manner toward people and his handling of situations was extremely amiable. This left the group of Lü family members somewhat astonished.
If Qiu Yimeng hadn't said Yang Kai was a young master of the Yang family, and if the identities of the two Blood Servants weren't undeniable, Lü Liang would have seriously doubted whether this person was truly a Yang family heir.
"Niece, we've had a long journey. Xiaoman and I will go rest now. Please carry on!" After eating and drinking for a while, Qiu Yimeng felt a bit bored and stood up to say her piece.