Chapter 205: He Mansion Hongmen Banquet

「Does Brother He Qing know my older brother? 」

Gu Pan looked at He Qing in surprise.

「I guess I know him, but he doesn't know me. 」

He Qing smiled faintly, his words seeming somewhat self-mocking.

As a major family in Han Shan Cheng, the He Family naturally had members serving in the border armies.

Although these people had never interacted with Gu Han, it didn't prevent them from having heard of him.

It was only after He Qing had thoroughly researched Gu Han beforehand that he chose to step forward now.

「I heard that Gu Bijang was incredibly formidable in the initial battle at Mu Shan Cheng. 」

He Qing said seemingly offhand,

「In a situation where the Dutong had rebelled, with internal and external troubles. 」

「Gu Bijang actually managed, with only the rank of Squad Leader, to assist Zhou Bijang in defending the city gate, buying time for the soldiers fighting outside to retreat to Mu Shan Cheng. 」

「On the later front lines, Gu Bijang roamed freely, slaying dozens of enemy Great Martial Masters, truly an object of admiration for our younger generation! 」

Hearing He Qing's unstinting praise, so lauding Gu Han, Gu Pan couldn't help but her eyes sparkle like stars.

The specific conditions and dangers of the front lines, her older brother had never told her about.

Upon hearing He Qing's introduction, Gu Pan felt a spontaneous admiration for her older brother well up in her heart.

Indeed, her older brother is simply the best!

She too must, in the future, emulate her older brother and achieve great deeds!

He Qing spoke while waving his hand, signaling the staff to pack up all the clothes Gu Pan had just taken a liking to.

Just as He Qing was about to pay, he saw the shopkeeper rush over, drenched in sweat.

「Young Master He, your visit to my humble shop already brings it glory; how could I let you spend money? 」

His eyes darted about as he gave a hehe laugh,

「Madam, the fact that you fancy our shop's clothes is already a great blessing for us! 」

Upon hearing that, Gu Pan's cheeks flushed red instantly.

「Shop... shopkeeper, we're not the kind of relationship you think. 」

Although because He Qing kept praising Gu Han, Gu Pan slightly lowered her guard against him.

But it was not enough for her to accept He Qing.

He Qing smiled faintly, secretly pleased, yet he gave the shopkeeper a glare.

「Shopkeeper, you really need to practice your eyesight. 」

Saying that, he produced a storage bag and placed it on the counter.

At the same time he picked up the package of clothes and intended to leave with Gu Pan.

「Thank you, Brother He Qing, but I'll get the items myself. 」

Gu Pan's blushing cheek, she took the package from He Qing's hand and placed it into the storage ring Gu Han had given her.

He Qing glanced at the exquisite storage ring, then quickly withdrew his gaze.

「Gu Pan, you've been shopping all day; you must be tired, right? 」

「I've already had the servants prepare food and drink in advance; how about we rest at my He residence? 」

Gu Pan blinked slightly, then quickly waved her hands,

「Thank you for the invitation, Brother He Qing, but I must return to the Gu Family Chamber of Commerce; otherwise, if my brother returns, he'll worry. 」

Regarding Gu Pan's polite refusal, He Qing was not at all annoyed,

「My He family and the Gu family have long been friends; sending someone to greet the Gu Family Chamber of Commerce is enough, and if Brother Gu Han returns, it would be perfect to invite him to my He residence as well. 」

「Perfect; I have long admired Brother Gu Han's bearing and have hoped to exchange moves with him. 」

In the course of speaking, He Qing's eyes seemed to show a faint fighting spirit.

Seeing that Gu Pan's eyes still showed hesitation, he decided to start with Gu Lin and the others.

「You must be Gu Lin, Gu Jing, and Gu Fan, right? 」

「It's rare for you to come to Han Shan Cheng; my He family naturally ought to fulfill the duties of a host. 」

「Why don't you all come to my He residence as guests? 」

Seeing that He Qing actually knew their names, Gu Lin and the others' faces showed a mix of awe and fear.

Although their good relationship with Gu Han had also raised their standing in the Gu family,

but they had ultimately achieved no notable merits, remaining merely collateral branches in the Gu family.

As a major family in Han Shan Cheng, the He family's overall strength still surpasses that of the Gu family.

Being able to know their names definitely required considerable thought, and it shows how much they are valued!

Of course, Gu Lin and the others also have self-awareness.

They know that the other side is certainly doing this out of respect for Gu Han.

Gu Lin and Gu Jing exchanged a glance.

After all, the He and Gu families are on good terms, and furthermore He Qing is a member of the He family's main line.

As members of the Gu family, they also find it hard to refuse the invitation.

Gu Lin immediately sent someone back to the Gu family's station to report the situation.

They themselves then accompanied Gu Pan, heading together with He Qing to the He residence.

Watching the backs of those departing, the shopkeeper gave a wicked smile and shook his head.

He runs such a shop, daily seeing countless passersby of all kinds.

Although his strength is not strong, his observational skills can surpass those of most people.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to open such a small shop in this affluent district of Han Shan Cheng!

Just now when he called Gu Pan 'young lady,' the fleeting smile in He Qing's eyes did not escape his notice.

With He Qing Young Master's methods, that girl surely can't escape his grasp!

"But..."

The shopkeeper weighed the storage bag on the table.

"These matters have nothing to do with me."

He Mansion

When Gu Pan's group followed He Qing to He Mansion.

More than ten servants lined the gate of He Mansion to welcome them.

Moreover, firecrackers were set off at the gate of He Mansion, as if welcoming an extremely important guest.

Yet this scene aroused a hint of suspicion in Gu Pan and the others' hearts.

Before departing, Gu Han had instructed them to be wary of all outsiders.

He Mansion's warm hospitality now made them feel wary.

Given their status, they hardly deserve such importance from He Mansion!

He Qing's eyes flickered, seeing the worry in theirs.

He had never seen anyone become suspicious because they were valued!

"These people are relatives of Brother Gu Han; naturally they are honored guests of my He Mansion."

This sentence made Gu Lin and the others relax their guard a little.

They knew Gu Han's strength, considering his strength and his current military position.

He Qing wanting to befriend Gu Han is quite natural.

He Qing might merely want to first get on good terms with them, then have them act as intermediaries to connect with Gu Han.

But they did not therefore completely let down their guard, cautiously following He Qing into He Mansion.

Gu Han is not here now; no amount of caution would be excessive!

As He Qing said, the banquet had already been set up inside He Mansion.

Even He Qing's mother personally received them!

Gu Lin and the others felt that the atmosphere seemed off.

But with elders accompanying them, for a while they could be considered to have enjoyed mutual hospitality.

Cups were exchanged, and after three rounds of drinking,

He Qing's cheeks flushed slightly, showing a bit of intoxication.

In his gaze toward Gu Pan, there also appeared a hint of aggression.

He Qing's mother, smiling broadly, looked at Gu Pan and said,

"I wonder if Panpan is already engaged to any young gentleman?"

Gu Pan, though remembering Gu Han's instructions, abstained from alcohol.

But the He family had already laced the drinks and tea with a powder that makes people drowsy.

Even if Gu Pan were cautious, she simply lacked experience in this and could not imagine the He family doing such a thing!

Gu Pan, feeling a bit drowsy, murmured, "I... I have no intention of marrying."

I... I have no intention of getting married.