My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 21: Invitations Distributed, Proposal to Purchase the Manor

"I'm here today to deliver an invitation to your family's snow-viewing banquet."

As he spoke, Eunuch Qiu took out two gold-embossed invitations from his bosom. Judging from the design, they seemed to be even more exquisite than the ones sent last time.

"This...didn't we already send it?" Chu Wenchen asked hesitantly, not immediately taking the invitation.

Eunuch Qiu patiently explained, "Yes, but previously it was only Princess Jin'an who hosted the banquet. The day before yesterday, the princess received His Majesty's decree to expand the guest list, which is why some additional guests are needed."

Upon seeing that there were two invitations, Chu Wen'er assumed that she must receive one.

Chu Wenchen also thought that the princess had probably sent a banquet to entertain his wife and daughter, and with Madam Song accompanying him, he could feel more at ease.

Incidentally, it would also broaden the horizons of the Song family and give them some experience, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop.

He took the invitation, looked down, and saw that the first one had Chu Lin's name on it.

Chu Wenchen couldn't help but wonder: Why would the princess send a message to Lin'er for no reason?

However, he couldn't directly question Eunuch Qiu, and planned to inquire about it later. He certainly didn't believe the princess had taken a liking to his son.

Chu Wen'er was extremely curious. She peeked around and saw that the first invitation had her brother Chu Lin's name on it. She quickly pulled out the second invitation and said with a smile, "Then this one must be mine!"

The moment she saw the invitation, her smug expression froze on her face.

"How could it be her?!"

The sharp sound startled Chu Wenchen. He smiled awkwardly at Eunuch Qiu and said, "Thank you for making this trip, Eunuch."

While exchanging pleasantries, they escorted the person to the entrance of the hall, where the butler saw them out.

After seeing the guests off, Chu Wenchen returned and snatched the second invitation back from Chu Wen'er's hand.

"Chu Lengyu?"

He read out the name on the invitation, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He never expected that this second post would be prepared for her.

However, upon further reflection, he realized that since Chu Lin and Chu Wen'er had both received invitations to the snow appreciation banquet, it was reasonable for Chu Lengyu to receive one as well.

Only Chu Wen'er clearly couldn't accept all of this.

Jealousy and resentment grew wildly in her heart like weeds.

She stood there for a while before muttering to herself, "Thank goodness, she's not home, so she won't receive the invitation and won't go."

Chu Wenchen shook his head, not wanting to deal with his somewhat obsessed daughter. He handed Chu Lin's document to his subordinate and asked him to arrange for someone to go to the academy to bring his son back.

He then put Chu Lengyu's invitation in his pocket, intending to hand it to her in person when he went to Xuanzhen Temple later.

Whether she goes or not is her business.

Chu Wen'er, who was behind him, watched his movements, took two steps forward, and said, "Father, since she's not going anyway, don't give her the invitation."

……

On the same day, invitations to the snow-viewing banquet were sent to all the guests.

Among the four kings and eight dukes, one king and four dukes resided in the capital, and they all received invitations from Princess Jin'an.

Some were eagerly anticipating the event, some were uninterested, and some didn't want to show up, but upon learning that it was an imperial edict, they had no choice but to go.

In the Qin King's mansion, a young man in white stood atop a high building, gazing into the distance from his vantage point.

A playful smile played on his lips, but he said in a condescending tone, "It would be good to get together and see what kind of younger generations the other families have."

In the Duke of Qi's mansion, gauze curtains hung lightly, and a woman was putting on her makeup in front of a mirror.

As she gently combed her waist-length hair, a charming smile appeared on her face: "Hehe, I heard everyone's going? That must be so lively. Oh dear, what dress should I wear? There's no time to make a new dress..."

Inside the Duke of England's residence, a young man carrying a long spear casually tossed aside his invitation. His handsome face was filled with impatience: "These banquets are utterly boring. But since it's an imperial decree, I still have to show my face. Oh well, I'll find an opportunity to leave later."

At the Duke of Liguo's residence, the round-faced girl put down the invitation, sighed for a long time, and muttered, "Going out again... It's so cold, to enjoy the snow? I'd rather sleep in."

……

Xuanzhen Temple.

Chu Lengyu was naturally unaware that because of her, the emperor had issued an imperial edict on a whim.

As a result, the snow-viewing banquet underwent a dramatic change, and the small Yingxuelou (Welcoming Snow Pavilion) would become the center of attention in a few days.

An ordinary name will gradually reveal its brilliance.

At this time, Chu Lengyu only wanted to buy a manor to practice swordsmanship.

With something on her mind, she couldn't sit still for a moment and went to ask her senior brother, Ji Lingchuan, for information.

After hearing her words, he frowned and asked, "Junior sister, is there something inconvenient about the place you're staying here?"

A hint of helplessness flickered in Chu Lengyu's watery eyes as she explained, "Senior brother, you're overthinking it. I just feel that having my own place is essential for peaceful cultivation, so I'd like to buy a spacious and quiet estate."

Upon hearing this, Ji Lingchuan nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "I have just thought of a place that would suit Junior Sister's taste."

"Oh? Tell me more, senior brother." She blinked, pretending to listen.

“It was the Xie family, the ones Master went to perform a ritual for a couple of days ago.” Ji Lingchuan said, pointing in the direction. “They have a garden in the east of the city, but after they moved in, one misfortune after another happened to their family. They think it’s because the garden has bad feng shui, so they’ve decided to sell it cheaply and even asked Master to help them find a buyer.”

Why sell such a nice garden so cheaply?

Chu Lengyu asked curiously, "Does Senior Brother know what happened to the Xie family?"

Ji Lingchuan lowered his voice and said, "In less than a year, one person fell to their death on the mountain, one drowned in the river, and one died from poisoning after accidentally eating a poisonous mushroom."

Such matters are easy to find out; after all, someone has died, and it can't be kept secret. Besides, Lin Jiuxiao was asked to perform the ritual, so Ji Lingchuan knew quite a bit about the details, but he didn't want to talk about it; he was still a bit reluctant to discuss matters of the dead.

"...That's really...a bit scary." Chu Lengyu said subconsciously, "Were they all accidents?"

He shrugged, not saying anything explicitly, only adding, "It all seems to be an accident."

At least the authorities couldn't find out, and he and his master had both gone to check.

But what are the chances of such a coincidence in the world?

Ji Lingchuan was already somewhat regretting mentioning the Xie family's garden to his junior sister. Even if someone was actually causing trouble behind the scenes, the successive deaths of several people had brought some bad luck to the place.

However, the Xie family's garden was truly exquisite, and they were eager to sell, so they offered a very low price.

Chu Lengyu said nonchalantly, "Then I'll trouble you, Senior Brother, to take me to see it."