As their car drove on a familiar mountain road, Xiao Zhi Ren felt a pang of melancholy hit his heart. The journey towards the Ji Family Mansion was rather nostalgic and filled with bitter reminders.
This particular mountain region was said to have been the roots of Ji Family from generations. Even the Mansion was built in the style of Ming dynasty. The ancient architecture of the Mansion was a clear indication of how far long the history of Ji Family was spanned.
It was Xiao Zhi Yuan's first visit to the Ji Family Mansion since the last time he was here, he was too young to remember anything. The juvenile was awe-struck by the beauty and antiquity of the architecture.
The only person unaffected by the brightly lit and decorated Mansion was our Young master Ru who had been idly yawning. But Ru was also the person who could clearly tell that the architecture of Ji Family Mansion had traces of dynasties even before that. It was very easy for her to find those traces in the fascinating pavilions.
Only Xiao Zhi Ren's car was led inside the main courtyard of Ji Mansion while his entourage was made to wait outside. Several helpers came forwards to help the striking combo of handsome men. Although the helpers tried to keep their faces solemn showing their professionalism, their glimmering eyes had betrayed them big time.
It wasn't their fault since the combo of three devilishly handsome but polar-opposite individuals was indeed eye-catching. And that's one way to say it humbly...
Butler Zhang who had been strictly instructed to wait for the eldest young master of the house immediately straightened up as he looked at the tall frame of Xiao Zhi Ren. His old eyes lit up resembling the lights that had been used to decorate the courtyard.
"Eldest young master!" The middle-aged man ran towards Xiao Zhi Ren and greeted humbly. "This must be our young master Yuan." His eyes had moistened up at just the sight of Xiao Zhi Yuan. The loyal servant had seen way too many storms in this family. He knew what it meant to have both these young masters back at home. "This way, please!" He showed them the way inside personally.
The Ji Mansion was divided into different courtyards with the innermost courtyard being the place where only the family of the head was allowed to stay. It was named, 'Longevity Courtyard'. Ru studied the golden characters with interest. Oddly, this reminded her of her own home.
Although Ji Family's way of living was far different than her own, she still could see some similarities. For instance, the idea of having separate courtyards in one big Mansion was exactly like it was back home.
Those big golden characters reminded her of a quote that was engraved on her grandfather's courtyard door. It stated, 'If your journey of life doesn't lead you to a warm home, is that journey still worth all that you'd been through?'
She might have jested about that statement a thousand times but today, she was definitely not the one laughing. After all, the journey of life which she fought for only led her to the edge of a cold grave. Perhaps, a warm home wasn't something she was fated for. She mocked herself inwardly and followed both Xiao brothers inside in a very low-key manner.
The hall inside the house was filled with people of different backgrounds. Each more noteworthy than the previous one. But did Ru expected anything different? She did not! Just because her own clan didn't like mingling and trying to fit in didn't mean other clans of ancient history were also like that. Each hidden family had its own way of leading their lives. And no other was allowed to question their ways.
But even after wandering her eyes around in the hall, Ru didn't find anyone from the other hidden prestigious families. That didn't seem right.
Suddenly, an elderly voice broke her reverie, "Zhi Ren!" Ru silently stood in an inconspicuous corner to make her presence unknown while she saw an elderly lady walking towards Xiao Zhi Ren with a bright smile on her wrinkled face.
Her pace was slow and she was supported by Ji Caihong at the side as well. But the elderly lady's eyes were definitely brighter than the stars outside. Xiao Zhi Ren walked towards her to offer his hand as support and she held it while her other hand stroked his face lovingly. "Aiya, my grandson has surely gotten thin. How can you worry grandmother so much?"
Xiao Zhi Ren rolled his eyes at her exaggeration and said, "Grandmother, you're still as dramatic as you had always been." The elderly lady didn't mind his words at all. Instead, her smile widened.