Firefly Journey

Fengling has been home for almost a week. These days, she does nothing but eat and sleep, occasionally helping her mother tend the flowers and trim the lawn. She's been living a very comfortable life.

None of the Xu family members, including Xu Hanshan, asked him a single question like, "Where have you been all these years?"

While Fengling was still in the temple, she was able to communicate with her parents regularly, but from a certain day onwards, the letters stopped and remained unwritten for three years.

It wasn't that they didn't want to, but that Fengling was unwilling to speak up, and no one in the entire Xu family could force Fengling to do something she didn't want to do—not in the past, and not in the future.

For Xu Keli and his wife, their daughter's return home was more important than anything else; nothing else mattered.

Xu Hanshan dared not say a word.

As far as he can see, Fengling still holds the identity of a saintess, and with that alone, he won't make a fool of himself.

In the bright morning sun, Fengling left her own courtyard and arrived at Xu Hanshan's residence.

Xu Dagong has no work scheduled for today, so Fengling specially chose this day.

Xu Hanshan, who was practicing calligraphy in his study, was somewhat taken aback by the sudden appearance of the wind chimes. Because of their previous misconceptions, the two had a falling out and disliked each other; even though they were blood relatives, they avoided each other whenever possible.

What is the wind chime planning to do now that it has come over on its own initiative?

"Long'er, you've been back for so long, what brings you to visit this old man today?"

To be fair, if it weren't for those barriers, Xu Hanshan would quite like this granddaughter who was gifted from a young age.

Xu Penglong said, "You are the head of the family, and there are some things I still want to tell you."

"What's going on?"

"Marriage is a major life event."

Xu Hanshan was somewhat surprised.

Although Fengling's return to Yicheng was not a big deal, it was not secretive either. With the power of the Xu family, it would be easy for them to find out when Fengling entered the city and with whom she entered.

Xu Hanshan asked, "Is it your classmate?"

"Yes. I've been with him for the past three years."

Xu Hanshan thought to himself, "Just as I expected. How far has it progressed?"

"Everything that was going to happen has happened."

"You're really honest..." Xu Hanshan sighed softly and said, "Since you have your own opinions, why do you need to ask me?"

Xu Penglong said, "Marriages arranged by parents and matchmakers, without the blessings of family, can bring a lot of trouble. Of course, I don't think those troubles will happen to me, but it would be best if I could get your support."

"I have no opinion."

What can he say?

Xu Hanshan paused for a moment, then said, "I haven't heard anything about Morgan's love life all these years. It seems like he's waiting for you. You'd better go and make things clear."

Xu Penglong shook his head.

Wasn't she clear enough?

Whether someone likes another or not is a matter between two people. Morgan's self-indulgent waiting serves no purpose other than wasting his own time, and Fengling has no obligation to make things clear.

"He should come tomorrow, whether you see him or not is up to you."

After leaving those words, Xu Penglong turned and left.

During this period, Lin Yuanran was busy sorting out the internal affairs of the Holy See and was unable to spare any time from his work.

The thought of that guy coming to the Xu family tomorrow made Fengling feel much better.

Xu Hanshan felt utterly helpless. He had heard that the boy went to the Holy See as soon as he returned, and it seemed he had connections within the Holy See. And you, my unfilial daughter, are a member of the Holy Temple. How could I dare not see you?

If we say no, wouldn't we offend both the Papacy and the Temple?

"It's better to be young."

……

……

A luxurious carriage was parked in front of the Xu family mansion.

The magical beast pulling the cart was pure white, with wide wings spread out, and from a distance, it seemed as if its whole body was glowing.

This is a distant relative of the unicorn, the Bright Horse.

The Light Steed is a flying magical beast, naturally aloof, and spends most of its life at altitudes above 500 meters. It is extremely rare to encounter, let alone tame.

Ten thousand years ago, Julius subdued a family of Light Steeds. Ten thousand years have passed, the God of Light has returned to dust, but the Light Steeds have multiplied.

Even after a long period of breeding, the number of this family of luminous horses is now no more than a hundred, and they are kept by the Vatican as mascots and symbols.

The vehicles used by successive popes were chosen from among them.

The Pope's carriage stopped in front of the Xu residence.

This move sparked much discussion among the city's residents.

At this time, they were unaware that the Papacy had undergone a change of government, and exclamations of surprise were endless. What incredible luck had the Xu family struck? They actually managed to get the Pope to come to their door in person!

The news that the Bright Carriage was heading to the Xu residence quickly reached the other six ducal families, who were also stunned.

Since the establishment of the Duchy, the Papacy has occasionally intervened in politics, but not frequently, and it certainly does not support any particular power, allowing it to become dominant. For the Pope to visit one of these powers, and in such a high-profile manner, is simply unheard of.

The six major families couldn't sit still any longer, and sent out sentries one after another. Unfortunately, as Lin Yuanran walked into the Xu family's gate, they could no longer obtain any information and could only wait quietly.

Xu Hanshan had mixed feelings.

He had considered that it was not surprising for a boy from a small town to achieve something in the future; anyone who could be noticed by a mentor in St. Louis must have some talent.

But he truly hadn't expected this young man's future to be so vast and so promising. His appearance in a chariot of light—what did that signify?

"Go and call the young lady and her family over," Xu Hanshan instructed his men.

"Yes."

To be honest, Lin Yuanran didn't want to be high-profile, and deploying the Bright Steed was a last resort. He didn't want the Xu family to think that the person Fengling liked was a good-for-nothing.

Xu Hanshan came to Lin Yuanran in person, not knowing how to address him, since he did not know that this person had become the Pope.

Lin Yuanran smiled and said, "Greetings, Lord Xu."

Both sides knew of each other's existence, but Lin Yuanran had never seen him in all the time he had been in Yicheng.

Like Feng Ling, he also disliked his grandfather, who was devoted to the family but forced his descendants into political marriages.

In particular, the object of the marriage alliance was a wind chime.

"Hello, how should I address you?" Xu Hanshan asked with utmost respect; he dared not be disrespectful in such a setting.

“My name is Ario Morris, but Fengling likes to call me by my full name,” Lin Yuanran said.

What this means is, I came here entirely because of the wind chimes, and it has nothing to do with you, the Grand Duke. In other words, if it were you, I wouldn't have come at all.

"How can that be? May I ask what position you hold in the Holy See?" Xu Hanshan wanted to confirm.

Lin Yuanran didn't want to answer directly, as that would seem like he was deliberately showing off.

"You should know the Bright Steed."

Xu Hanshan was startled, and he already knew what was going on.

For three years, no new pope has been appointed by the Papacy. As a political family of a duchy under the protection of the Papacy, Xu Hanshan has been racking his brains every day, trying to find a suitable candidate for the new pope.

He thought it was most likely one of the three high priests, but he never expected it to be this young man.

Xu Hanshan respectfully invited Lin Yuanran into the study, and soon after, Xu Keli and his family of three also arrived.

Upon seeing Feng Ling, Lin Yuanran involuntarily raised an eyebrow. Feng Ling, on the other hand, very seriously rolled her eyes at the Pope.