Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Elder Zhang’s birthday banquet was set to start at 8 PM. Xie Qingfeng and his party left the hotel at 6 PM, arriving at the venue about half an hour early.

It was neither too early nor too late, just in time.

Upon arriving, Xie Qingfeng’s group showed their invitation to the gatekeeper.

Recognizing the special mark on the invitation, the gatekeeper immediately became respectful, allowing them to enter and making an internal call.

As their car approached the courtyard where the banquet was held, the butler was already waiting. Seeing the car stop, he came forward to open the door, "Mr. Xie, the master has been waiting for you. I’ll escort you there right away."

Xie Qingfeng, with a polite smile, agreed, planning to personally deliver the gift.

After they left, the guests being attended by other stewards nearby were stunned: "Who was that?" The head butler was so polite to them?

This head butler had been managing the Zhang household since Elder Zhang took charge, and though called a steward, he had considerable influence in Elder Zhang’s decisions.

The other stewards, aware of the situation, naturally understood. There were only a few guests that evening who could warrant such personal attention from the head butler, especially one with such a distinctive appearance.

Clearly, this was not someone they could casually discuss, so they shook their heads politely, feigning ignorance.

Recently, many had been trying to glean information about the elusive Master Xie Qingfeng from the Zhang family. Rumored to discern one’s fate with a glance and write talismans that extend life, those who could converse with Elder Zhang were of high status and wealth. Their greatest needs were often either a healthy body or a way to extend the life of an elderly family member.

However, Elder Zhang had strictly ordered that no information about Master Xie be disclosed. Breaking this rule meant either leaving voluntarily or facing the Zhang family’s action.

These people had impure intentions. Assisting others in extending their lives seemed far-fetched and could potentially drain a great deal of spiritual energy and effort. Why trouble the master with such requests?

When Xie Qingfeng and his party were led to Elder Zhang's study on the third floor, the elder was meeting with his children who had made great efforts to return.

Elder Zhang had three sons and two daughters in total, with the youngest daughter being much younger than her siblings. Having spent less time with the elder children due to business commitments, he grew particularly fond of his youngest daughter, who stayed by his side longer.

Unfortunately, over twenty years ago, this beloved daughter fell for a poor man, causing a rift in their relationship. Eventually, Elder Zhang accepted him.

Regrettably, Elder Zhang's instincts were correct. Chang Wenxiong was no good man. He deceived his daughter and, after their son's early death, brought back a child he had with another woman, claiming it was his daughter's.

If it weren't for Master Xie last time, this deception wouldn’t have been uncovered, and his daughter might have been harmed by those three.

Elder Zhang had spent much effort dealing with the Chang family, and thankfully, everything was under control. His daughter, having suffered a blow, was now recovering and thankfully did not continue entanglements with the Chang family.

Given it was the old father's birthday, all of Zhang's children and descendants returned, bringing gifts and carefully avoiding mentioning the past incident.

Soon, Elder Zhang gestured for the crowd to join the main hall. While a house full of grandchildren was lively, it could also be too noisy.

The guests left without much delay, not wanting to upset Elder Zhang. Moreover, many esteemed business partners were present, offering potential business opportunities.

Xie Qingfeng and his party, led by the head butler, crossed paths with Elder Zhang's sons. Surprised to see just a few young men, they raised their eyebrows. Knowing the head butler's role, they gave a few extra glances but doubted these young men were the renowned Master Xie.

After all, such a skilled master was unlikely to be so young. They regretted missing the opportunity to meet the master earlier, which would have at least revealed his identity.

The butler kept tight-lipped, leaving them without even a hint of Master Xie’s appearance. Those who had seen him at the Zhang house dared not speak a word.

Elder Zhang only kept his daughter with him after the others left. As the door closed, he looked at her pale, worn face: "I didn't want to intervene, but after Chang Wenxiong’s actions, I won't let him off. As for that boy you raised, his heart was biased. Since he isn’t of Zhang blood and conspired against me, he must be punished. I won’t drop the lawsuit. Regarding Chang Wenxiong, once you’re divorced, his shell company won’t last long. He might come to you for the sake of that wretch, Chang Ruihe. Are you planning to go abroad for a while, or stay here at the old house?"

"Madam Zhang gently shook her head, 'I will stay at the old house.'"

"She didn't want to go abroad. In fact, she was still reeling from the recent revelations – her husband of many years had been unfaithful, and the child she had protected for over twenty years wasn't hers but was born from her husband's affair."

"They had deceived her so terribly."

"If her father hadn't shown her the evidence and photos, she would still be blinded by her husband's lies."

"Thinking of her own child who died young, and how Chang Wenxiong meddled to the extent that she didn’t even know where her child’s remains were, not even having a memorial tablet, her heart felt like it was bleeding."

"She cursed her own blindness. Her father had warned her, suggesting Chang Wenxiong was only with her for her status, but she didn’t believe him..."

"She had been blinded by love, leading to over two decades of deception."

"He even tried to take her life..."

"With tearful eyes, Madam Zhang looked at her father, her tears flowing before she could speak, 'Right now, I don’t want anything else. I just want to know where Chang Wenxiong took that child back then. When I asked him, he refused to tell me, saying only if I forgave Chang Ruihe... But how could I forgive them?'"

"She wanted to properly bury her child, who had died at birth and was discarded somewhere unknown by his own father. The thought made her heart ache with hatred and self-blame."

"Seeing her distraught, Old Master Zhang said, 'Don’t worry, that child was my grandchild too. I won’t let him remain an unclaimed wandering spirit...'"

"He regretted his past indecision, 'I should have been firmer back then, but it's too late for regrets now. I've already sent an invitation to Master Xie. If the Master comes tonight, I will ask him on behalf of the child...'"

Now, this seemed the only way; he was unwilling to back down. Chang Wenxiong had caused his daughter such misery; why should he spare them?

As they spoke, the study's door was knocked. Following the butler's announcement, "Master Xie has arrived," Mr. Zhang's eyes lit up, and he stood up, "The master is here! The child's future is secured!"

Mrs. Zhang quickly raised her hand to wipe away her tears and hurried to open the door.

Xie Qingfeng and his companions stood beside the butler, and before anyone inside could respond, the door suddenly swung open, and a figure rushed out.

Jing Xiu swiftly wrapped his arm around Xie Qingfeng, swiftly pulling him aside. Mrs. Zhang, in her haste, nearly collided with Hao Jixin and quickly steadied herself, apologizing, "I'm sorry, I was too anxious and couldn't stop in time..."

The butler steadied the person, and Hao Jixin, also quite frightened, resentfully glanced at the master and Jing Xiu, who had narrowly avoided the collision. His gaze finally rested on Jing Xiu, wondering why he couldn't have been included in the evasion. Was he no longer considered part of their group?

Old Mr. Zhang had not expected Mrs. Zhang, a woman in her forties or fifties, to be so impulsive. Considering her distress over the past few days, he couldn't bring himself to reprimand her, "Let's all come inside. Master Xie, Mr. Jing, Mr. Hao, my daughter has been impertinent."

The group was invited inside, and the butler hurried to serve tea.

Xie Qingfeng and the others declined the offer with a wave of their hands. Mrs. Zhang, knowing she had erred, didn't dare approach further, yet she couldn't help but look at Xie Qingfeng with hope, her eyes reddening and her temples graying, worn and pitiable.

Xie Qingfeng glanced at her face and was startled. He had guessed her identity from the moment Mr. Zhang spoke, thinking that after Chang Wenxiong's incident was exposed, her fate would have changed. But unexpectedly...

Xie Qingfeng's expression grew solemn. He stepped forward and presented the gift he had brought, "This is a modest gift for Elder Zhang from the junior, a token of respect."

Mr. Zhang hurriedly accepted the gift, "Master Xie is truly too polite. We originally just wanted to invite you to liven up the banquet, but we didn't expect you to bring a gift."

Xie Qingfeng shook his head: "It's only right."

He noticed Mr. Zhang hesitating to speak, wary of implying a favor. Sensing Mrs. Zhang's concern, he took the initiative: "This must be Mrs. Zhang. Do you have something you wish to discuss with me?"

Mrs. Zhang finally gave in, pleadingly: "Master Xie, I... I implore you to help me find where my poor, deceased child is buried, no matter the cost..."

Xie Qingfeng nodded: "Mrs. Zhang, please don't worry. Finding a child isn't too difficult a task."

Mrs. Zhang, who had prepared a multitude of persuasive arguments, was stunned at his quick consent. She had never humbled herself this way before, but finding her child's resting place was worth any humility. Yet, to her surprise, the master agreed before she could even elaborate.

She stood there, momentarily speechless, her eyes clear and simple, a trait that might attract malicious intentions.

Xie Qingfeng continued: "If Mrs. Zhang trusts me, I can locate the burial site later today. However, there seems to be another urgent matter requiring your and Mr. Zhang's attention."

Mr. Zhang, initially elated, was startled by Xie Qingfeng's grave tone. Realizing the seriousness, his heart raced, recalling the master's previous prediction of his daughter's grim fate: "Master, what do you mean?"

Xie Qingfeng didn't hide the truth: "Mrs. Zhang's face... it doesn't look good. In two hours, she may face a life-threatening situation."

Both Mr. and Mrs. Zhang were shocked: "What?" Uncertain if it was a health issue or an accident, their faces turned pale.

Xie Qingfeng reassured them: "Since we've met beforehand, Mrs. Zhang should be safe. The question is whether to merely avoid this crisis or to bring to justice those who wish harm upon her."

Mr. Zhang, understanding the implication, nodded firmly: "Of course, the latter. Please, Master Xie, let's discuss this in detail."

With two hours at their disposal, there was enough time to strategize and eliminate any threats.

Elder Zhang realized the gift initially prepared for Master Xie might be insufficient. He decided to instruct the butler to prepare a more generous offering, to properly express the Zhang family's gratitude towards Master Xie.

Beside him, Mrs. Zhang also had tearful eyes, sharing the same thought as Elder Zhang.