A quarter past nine in the morning.
Three carriages and two riders arrived at the territory of the Dongxi Xu Clan.
"Who goes there!"
The patrolling guard captain raised his hand to stop Yang Shichang and the others from proceeding. "This is the Xu Clan's private territory. No one may enter without an invitation."
Yang Shichang squeezed his horse with his legs and rode a few steps forward. "You don't even recognize me?"
"Who are you?"
The Patrol Guard captain looked them over in surprise.
"Go fetch your clan head. Tell him—"
"Insolence!" the Patrol Guard captain barked. "How could the head of our Xu Household be someone you can see whenever you please?!"
The other guards drew their weapons as well, bracing themselves for trouble.
"If you still refuse to identify yourselves and explain why you're here, don't blame us for being discourteous."
Just then, a carriage curtain opened, and Yang Zhao poked his head out. "Chang'er, stop making trouble. The Xu Household is no longer what it once was. It's long since changed from what you saw more than ten years ago."
"Yes, Father." Yang Shichang meekly admitted his mistake.
Then Yang Zhao smiled. "We're from the Yang Household of the Commandery Seat. I am Yang Zhao, the father of your clan head's wife, Yang Ronghua.
"We've come from the Commandery Seat to pay a visit."
"The Yang Household of the Commandery Seat? The father of the clan head's wife?!"
The Patrol Guard captain immediately put away his saber and bowed with his hands clasped. "I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I didn't realize who you were. Please forgive me, please forgive me."
"However, the clan head has laid down a rule: anyone who isn't a member of the Xu Household must receive the masters'