Visitors from the Imperial Capital

Raymond was in excellent spirits. He strolled all the way from the courtyard to the front gate, and every servant and guard of the viscount's manor he met greeted him respectfully. The old butler, who had devoted almost his entire life to the viscount's manor and already had one foot in the grave, smiled with particular radiance.

"All of this is thanks to the young master," the old butler sighed inwardly.

The master had regained his title and returned to the viscount's manor. The madam's eyes had recovered. The young master had not only come back, but had also become a summoner—a summoner capable of defeating a level-six Saber-toothed Dragon. At the thought of all this, the old butler could not help his snowy beard from bristling upward, his eyes narrowing into slits.

It had already been a month since they moved back into the viscount's manor. It was early morning now, the sun bright and the breeze gentle. The old butler took a leisurely turn around the front gate, feeling as though even the air in the viscount's manor was a little sweeter than before. Under the respectful gazes of the guards seeing him off, he nodded to them with a smile, then turned and walked back into the manor.

"The master should be reading in the pavilion right now. It's time for his morning tea. The madam is probably still looking over the account books; the right amount of green fruit juice will help clear her head. The young master cultivated until midnight yesterday before falling asleep. I need to tell those maids not to disturb him." The old butler calculated all this in his mind as he walked through the gate.

"Whoa!" A soft command came from behind him, followed immediately by several neighs. The old butler could not help turning to look.

A carriage had stopped at the entrance of the viscount's manor. The first thing that entered his eyes were the four fine horses drawing it. With one glance, the old butler recognized them as precious purebred Dayuan colts from the Baolong Empire, each standing over two meters tall.

Driving the carriage was a red-haired man. His figure was slender, and no joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure could be read from his face. The carriage behind him was made of superior redwood, and on the top of it was carved an emblem the size of a human head, bearing the pattern of a sword and violets.

"Someone from the Harriman Family!" The old butler did not dare slight them and hurriedly turned to welcome them.

The blue velvet carriage curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man stepped down. He had a fair, clean face, a gray outer robe so smooth it showed not a single crease, and a spring-breeze smile that revealed excellent upbringing.

"Hello." The middle-aged man smiled at the old butler. "May I ask if this is the residence of Viscount Crowell?"

The old butler hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "It is. I am Raymond, the old butler of the viscount's manor. May I ask..."

The middle-aged man continued with perfect propriety, "Greetings, Mr. Raymond. You may call me Bernie. I have come from the imperial capital, entrusted by Marquis Sweet to pay a visit to Lord Viscount Crowell."

When the old butler heard this, he dared be even less negligent and hurriedly accompanied him inside. A quick-witted servant had already run ahead to report to the master.

When Crowell heard that someone sent by Marquis Sweet from the imperial capital had arrived, he grew somewhat flustered for a moment. Linda also received the news at this time, but she was much calmer than he was, and they went to the reception hall together.

When the man named Bernie saw Crowell and Linda enter, he hurried forward to salute them. After a few words of polite greeting, the group took their seats according to host and guest.

"How is His Lordship the Marquis?" Crowell said with a smile. "I have not been to the imperial capital in almost twenty years."

Bernie inclined his body slightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Viscount. His Lordship the Marquis has always been in very robust health. When I came, His Lordship also said that he had not seen Lord Viscount in many years and asked me to convey his greetings to you."

"You are too kind, too kind." Crowell quickly waved his hand and said somewhat awkwardly, "I am of the younger generation. How could I be worthy of that?"

Bernie smiled faintly and said nothing. At this time, several maids came forward like fluttering butterflies among flowers, carrying tea, fruit, and all manner of refreshments, then respectfully withdrew backward. This interruption eased the somewhat awkward atmosphere in the hall.

"Has Mr. Bernie come for some other matter this time?" Linda took a sip of black tea and looked at Bernie with a smile.

Bernie returned a smile and said, "The imperial capital is far away, and His Lordship the Marquis only heard of Young Master Nicholas's disappearance last month. His Lordship was extremely furious, but he happened to be held back by important matters in the imperial capital. Some time ago, just as he was about to ask into this matter, he heard that Young Master Nicholas had returned safely, and only then did His Lordship set his mind at ease. This time, I have come on the Marquis's orders to take Young Master Nicholas to the imperial capital. Lord Viscount and Madam also know that His Lordship the Marquis and Mr. Hadley were always the closest of friends. Because Young Master Nicholas's disappearance weighed upon his heart, he wished for me to bring Young Master Nicholas to the imperial capital. Besides, the conditions in the imperial capital are far better than in Floro City. There are many academies and many masters there as well. Young Master Nicholas can also study and train there, and his future prospects will naturally be limitless."

"This Bernie has quite the silver tongue. He's certainly someone capable." Linda set down her teacup and thought to herself.

Hadley was the father of Viscount Crowell, who had died of illness in his early years. He had once studied for a period of time in the imperial capital, and it was then that he met Marquis Sweet. Bernie's words flowed smoothly, expressing the Marquis's regard for friendship while also displaying the "concern" of a family elder toward Nicholas. Although the purpose of this trip seemed to be an inquiry, the meaning within his words was very clear: he had to take Nicholas to the imperial capital.

Of course, Marquis Sweet had meant exactly that as well; it was just that if he had said it himself, it certainly would not have been so tactful. Under Bernie's fluent speech, not only did Crowell look grateful, even the old butler standing there became somewhat emotional.

Linda smiled gracefully and said, "Thank His Lordship the Marquis for troubling himself. I hope Mr. Bernie won't laugh at us, but our family has only this one child, and we have indulged him somewhat since he was young. If he is unwilling, we can do nothing about it. After being kidnapped some time ago, Nicholas suffered quite a bit, but after escaping danger, his temperament also changed. He is much stronger than before. Since His Lordship the Marquis intends to cultivate him, we are naturally grateful, and there is absolutely no reason for us to refuse."

Bernie smiled in satisfaction and said, "That could not be better. Young Master Nicholas will be traveling a long distance on this trip, and it will be inconvenient for him to return whenever he wishes. There is no rush for the journey to the imperial capital. Once Lord Viscount and Madam have made arrangements, you may send someone to Earl Ross's place to notify me."

As he spoke, Bernie stood and bowed. "I shall not disturb Lord Viscount any further." Crowell hurriedly stood as well, but when he saw Linda sitting quietly without moving, his face flushed, and he sat back down again.

"Take care, Mr. Bernie." Linda nodded to Raymond. The old butler understood and accompanied Bernie outside.

"You can't keep your composure." Linda glared at Crowell and said, "No matter what, you are still a viscount. Even if Bernie holds a very high position in the Marquis's manor, he is still only a servant. If you are too warm toward him, it will only make others look down on you. That may not be a good thing for Nicholas's life in the imperial capital in the future."

Crowell gave an embarrassed smile, not knowing what to say, and his fair face grew even redder.

"Pfft." Linda's stern face bloomed like a flower, and she said in annoyance, "How are you like a viscount at all? I think the old butler looks more like a noble than you do."

"Heh heh." Crowell shamelessly leaned in and quickly pecked Linda on the cheek. Seeing two rosy clouds instantly fly onto Linda's smooth, delicate face, he finally revealed a satisfied smile after his little prank.

"Ahem..."

Hearing a cough come from behind them, Crowell and Linda jumped in fright and quickly separated like thieves. When they turned to look, they saw Li Junshan walking in with a mischievous expression.

"Nicholas, you still need to pay attention to rest when practicing summoning arts. I heard Tina say you only went back to your room to sleep at midnight last night." Linda asked with a stern face, but her eyes were watery and the blush on her face had not yet faded. There was no authority to be seen; instead, she looked a little more charming for no reason.

"Uh." Li Junshan nodded and craned his neck to glance at Crowell. The latter sat upright and proper, holding a copy of Nile Poetry Collection and reading it with great relish.

Shrugging, Li Junshan said, "It's fine. I don't have anything to do anyway, so I can cultivate whenever I want." As he spoke, he casually picked up a green fruit from the table and bit into it with a crunch.

"All right, do whatever you like. I can't be bothered to manage you anymore." Linda sighed and said, "Just now..."

"I know." Li Junshan bared his teeth from the sourness of the green fruit and said with a grin, "Tina told me just now. There's nothing going on now anyway, so Mother, you can make the arrangements. The sooner the better."

"When a son grows up, his mother can't decide for him." Linda's eyes reddened as she said, "Such a huge thing happened, and I was almost scared to death. I finally waited for you to come back, and now you have to leave again. You make it sound so easy. Have you considered how your father and I feel?"

"Honored Mother, calm your anger." Li Junshan dragged out the words in a Beijing opera tone and said with a cheeky grin, "Don't worry. I'm already this old, and I can take care of myself. At first, I was afraid you and Father would be too lonely at home, but from what I just saw, your days are still sweeter than honey. By the way, when are you going to give me a little brother or sister?"

Linda was instantly both embarrassed and flustered. She spat lightly and said, "You child, how are you completely different from before now? You even dare speak to your mother like this."

Li Junshan's heart skipped a beat. He gave a few dry laughs, then said seriously, "Mother, don't worry. You don't need to miss me too much. If you really miss me, you and Father can just go to the imperial capital to see me, can't you? Treat it as a trip. Staying in Floro City all the time must get boring too."

"Ah." Crowell put down his book, raised his head, and said, "Why are you all in such a hurry? Didn't that Bernie say there was no rush to leave? Just stay a little longer."

Li Junshan shrank his neck and said nothing. Linda glared at Crowell and said, "When others say that, it is because they understand etiquette and propriety. Can we really make them wait here for nothing?"

"What's wrong with waiting?" Crowell calmly took a sip of black tea and said, "Who told your mother to be reluctant to part with you?"

"You..." Linda was both annoyed and amused, and she glared fiercely at Crowell.

"You two carry on." Li Junshan smiled, stood up, and walked outside.

"I'm exhausted from last night and still haven't slept enough. I'm going to catch up on sleep. Tina, honestly—there wasn't even anything important, yet she rushed to wake me up. I thought something had happened."

He had already disappeared beyond the door, but Li Junshan's voice drifted back from afar.

"Nicholas, we are already proud of you," Linda murmured, her face filled with pride and comfort.