78 Respect And Goodwill Is Shown Through Actions - 26.1

Within the picturesque gardens of the imperial palace, two handsome youths could be seen rushing with the one leading looking hurried and slightly flustered while the one following had faint amusement clearly reflecting in his twinkling eyes and upturned lips.

While the people who saw the two were surprised, what surprised them even more was that the flustered youth that kept on urging his companion to hurry his pace was no other than their kingdom's crown prince; Jin Meng Yao!

"Jun Qiao, hurry up! We'll miss them if you don't!"

Hearing Jin Meng Yao's hurried calls, Wu Jun Qiao laughed out loud as he increased his speed to match his, surprising the onlookers since all of them knew that despite their crown prince's carefree demeanor, his cultivation isn't lacking in the slightest and could be considered as one of leading geniuses amongst the capital's youths!

Seeing how easily the other young man caught up with their prince, those who saw it couldn't help but wonder who this youngster was.

Unaware of the attention nor the commotion they've caused and drawn, the two young men paid no heed to those around them and soon disappeared from the people's views to appear near the main palace hall where the morning court had just adjourned a couple of minutes ago which is why a number of ministers and military officials could still be seen standing here and there as they talked before making their leave yet the appearance of the two young men inadvertently drew their attention an if that wasn't eye-catching enough, an extremely familiar voice filled with relief suddenly called out energetically, echoing loudly in their midst.

Hearing that particular voice, another young man who was standing quietly besides two identically stalwart and intimidating men helplessly sigh as he turned to scan the crowd.

"Xian! Hey Xian, I'm over here! This prince is so glad I caught you!" Jin Meng Yao loudly said as he bounded over to his friend, leaving his cousin; Wu Jun Qiao to inwardly shake his head as he followed with a small, almost imperceptible smile on a much slower pace.

"My Prince, you were looking for me?" Fan Xian Liang asked wryly to which Jin Meng Yao replied with an annoyed look before opening his mouth to speak.

"Of course I am! Why else would I shout your name? Anyway, have you seen my master, Xian? It's been too long since I've last seen him and Father told me that he has already returned!"

Giving his friend an exasperated look, Fan Xian Liang said, "You keep on asking me, yet why aren't you even looking around?"

Seemingly a bit confused on his words, Jin Meng Yao took his friend's advise and turned his head to look around when a bearded, smiling face filled with bemusement entered his line of sight, making him visibly freeze in shock before he suddenly opened his mouth and exclaim loudly in surprise and shock.

"Master!"

Indeed, in his haste, Jin Meng Yao didn't look around to check who the remaining officials were the moment he saw his friend standing there and instead chose to just rush towards him to bombard him with questions yet seeing his master stare at him with amusement plain in his eyes, Jin Meng Yao still couldn't care less if there were others there nor if he made a fool of himself and instead immediately got down on his knees and kowtowed to his master as he greeted him respectfully with a trembling voice.

"Master, your disciple has been unfillial! Your disciple has disappointed you!" Jin Meng Yao exclaimed as he kowtowed, making his master in question sigh faintly before he leaned over to stop him from kowtowing any further.

"Meng Yao, enough of that! Your Senior Brother Li Jie already told me of your progress and I'm already quite satisfied with it!"

Hearing the sincerity behind his master's words, Jin Meng Yao couldn't help but feel touched as he stared at his master's familiar face.

Seeing his disciple's glistening eyes, Fan Hui Zhong ruffled Jin Meng Yao's hair the same way he did when he was still young making the already grown, young man push his hand away with a whine as he complained, "Master, not my hair!"

Hearing this, Fan Hui Zhong couldn't stop himself from bursting out into laughter before hauling his disciple up to his feet and helping him tidy himself up as how a father would as he laughingly said, "Ahh, Yao'er... you really haven't changed... Still this is good but fo remember that I don't require you to kowtow to me, remember your status! Now, tell Master, how have you been?"

"Meng Yao has been doing well, I've always kept master's words in mind and kept working and cultivating hard and I just recently broke through to the elementary level of the Early Stage of the Heavenly Sky Realm!"

Hearing the crown prince's words, the few remaining officials were stunned. They knew that their crown prince was a talented genius but they didn't expect that he already broke through the Heavenly Sky Realm at such a young age!

Despite his initial surprise, Fan Hui Zhong retained a handle on his emotions and only a proud wide smile could be seen in his face.

"Good! Master is proud of you!"

"Thank you for your praise Master but this disciple doesn't deserve it! After all, you told me that by the time you came back, I should be at least at elementary level of the Practitioner Stage of the Heavenly Sky Realm!"

"Don't fret child, you still have time. Besides, I came back earlier than what I originally planned so this isn't your fault."

Seeing that Jin Meng Yao was still about to object, Fan Hui Zhong gave him a pointed look before saying, "Nevermind that, come... Accompany us back to the estate."

Hearing his master's command, Jin Meng Yao wa ecstatic when he fortunately remembered Wu Jun Qiao who had stayed silent throughout in time.

Coughing slightly, Jin Meng Yao smiled sheepishly at Fan Hui Zhong before he opened his mouth to speak.

"Master, please meet my cousin, Wu Jun Qiao. He was the one who recently acquired the old Fan family estate."

Upon hearing the words spoken by the crown prince, the remaining officials were struck speechless once more before curiosity filled them.

On the other hand, hearing Jin Meng Yao mention the old Fan estate, understanding dawned on him and he immediately figured out just who the young man is.

To think, this mysterious youth with an elegant yet indomitable aura was General Wu's adopted child!

"You're Wu Zhang He's kid? He did mention that he wanted to acquire the old estate to give to you as your own residence to me since you expressed a liking for it... Nice to meet you." Fan Hui Zhong cordially replied in acknowledgement.

"It's an honor to meet Lei Wangye... This junior would like to express my thanks for your help. This junior promises to take care of the estate as to not disappoint you." Wu Jun Qiao respectfully bowed in reply.

"Good man! Do take care of it and treat it as your own from now on."

Then turning to Jin Meng Yao, Fan Hui Zhong then asked, "Yao'er, will you be accompanying us back?"

"Yes Master! Of course!"

Just as Jin Meng Yao was inwardly rejoicing, he lifted his head and managed to catch his cousin's pointed yet subtle look, reminding him of their conversation earlier.

Seeing this, Jin Meng Yao cleared his throat again and then said, "Speaking of coming with you, is it alright if we bring my cousin along with us, Master?"

"I don't see why not? Come along then, the both of you."