Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

Xu Xingguang took out a traditional mask from her canvas bag and put it on her face.

Xiahou Zuiyue got out of the car and walked to the back to open the car door for her.

As the door opened, he saw a bewitching and eerie mask, almost scaring him out of his wits. ”Oh my god!” Xiahou Zuiyue’s face turned pale.

”Scary?” Xu Xingguang had specifically picked a beautiful mask online.

Hearing Miss Xu’s familiar voice, Xiahou Zuiyue finally relaxed, ”Not really scary. Just too sudden, I wasn’t prepared.”

Guessing that Xu Xingguang did this to avoid being recognized, Xiahou Zuiyue’s eyes showed a hint of guilt. ”Sorry, Miss Xu, I’ve caused you trouble.”

Xu Xingguang sneered, ”It’s good you know.”

After getting out of the car, Xu Xingguang glanced at the parking lot and noticed dozens of top luxury cars parked there. Among them, she spotted a black Range Rover covered in mud.

She recognized the license plate; it belonged to Ye Mingluo.

Ye Mingluo is joining the fun too? Didn’t he say he was taking Boss Huo for drone photography in the mountains?

Could it be that Boss Huo came along too?

”Miss Xu, this way please.”

After being searched and checked all the way, when they arrived at the mountain-top mansion’s entrance, other famous doctors and experts were already gathered and taken to the gathering hall.

Seeing Xiahou Zuiyue arriving late, the white-haired butler gave him a reproachful look, ”Zuiyue, you’re late, the Old Master has already started.”

Xiahou Zuiyue quickly stepped forward, bowed, and whispered a few words into the old butler’s ear.

Upon hearing that the woman in front of him could produce several extinct miraculous herbs, the old butler’s attitude immediately became much more respectful and polite.

”Lord Medicine Farmer Star.” The old butler bowed to Xu Xingguang, politely welcoming her, ”Please follow me, I’ll take you to see the Old Master right away.” After getting up, he told Xiahou Zuiyue, ”Zuiyue, you wait over by the Moon Viewing Pavilion.”

Xiahou Zuiyue nodded to Xu Xingguang and whispered to her, ”Just follow them, and once you’re done, the butler will bring you to the Moon Viewing Pavilion to find me.”

”Okay.”

Xu Xingguang followed the old butler into the Xiahou Master Residence.

The main design of the Xiahou Master Residence is in the Hui style, with beams and pillars carved with vivid images, including floral and bird motifs as well as human figures. The carved windows on the second floor are especially exquisite and beautiful.

It is said that the Xiahou family ancestors were from Beijiang and relocated to Yujiang City due to historical reasons more than two hundred years ago, choosing to farm and settle around Tuo Ling Peak.

Later, as the family’s power grew, they developed into Yujiang City’s foremost family and built this mansion atop Tuo Ling Peak.

Although this old mansion is well-maintained, it also bears strong marks of time. Every piece of brick stepped on has witnessed over two hundred years of historical changes in Xia Country.

Reincarnated into her fourth life, Xu Xingguang’s identity was a top architectural designer. From her professional perspective, the mansion before her is definitely a heritage-level building.

The Xiahou family indeed has a deep foundation.

”Miss Xu, the gathering hall is just ahead, the Old Master is inside entertaining distinguished guests. I’ll first take you to the adjacent tea room to rest, and the Old Master will meet with you once he is free.”

The tea room was separated from the gathering hall by only a wall, allowing clear eavesdropping on the Old Master’s conversations with the other doctors. Xu Xingguang, not wanting to encounter Ye Mingluo, was quite content to wait in the tea room.

”Thank you, butler.”

The old butler took Xu Xingguang to the tea room, and just as he left, a maid entered with fine red tea, displaying utmost courtesy.

As Xu Xingguang’s fair fingers lifted the teacup, the adjacent room echoed with the aged voice of the Old Master Xiahou: ”My son Huai Gui is unwell and unable to greet you distinguished guests, so I must trouble you all to join me in checking on him.”

”Additionally, my son is extremely introverted and suspicious, so please be cautious not to provoke him.”

The doctors all politely responded, ”Mr. Xiahou, rest assured, we will be careful.”

Mr. Xiahou rose to lead Ye Mingluo and the others to see Xiahou Huai Gui, when the butler hurried over, his eyes revealing unmistakable urgency and delight.

Seeing this, the Old Master Xiahou paused, waiting for the old butler to speak. ”Zhushan, what is it?”

”Sir.” The old butler approached Mr. Xiahou and whispered, ”Sir, that child Xiahou Zuiyue has also brought a distinguished guest.”

With over a hundred direct and collateral descendants, the Xiahou family patriarch couldn’t immediately recall who Xiahou Zuiyue was.

”Such a considerate child,” he asked the butler, ”which renowned doctor did he bring?”

”Not a famous doctor, but a medicinal plant cultivator.”

Upon hearing this, the anticipation in Xiahou Old Master’s eyes dimmed slightly, as he did not believe a medicine planter could cure his young son.

Treating illnesses is a task for doctors.

Yet acknowledging the guest wasn’t a legendary doctor, Xiahou Old Master still wouldn’t neglect the guest, telling the butler, ”The honored guest came from afar, treat her well. I’ll first take these guests to see Huai Gui.”

Seeing the principal of the Xiahou family unwilling to see Xu Xingguang, the old butler anxiously intervened: ”This medicinal farmer is different, she can successfully cultivate many extinct medicinal plants, even those considered mythical.”

”Sir, perhaps this person possesses a remedy for Young Master Huai Gui’s ailment? Would you not prefer to meet them in person?”

Intrigued by the butler’s words, Xiahou Old Master was about to inquire about the guest’s identity when Ye Mingluo approached.

From the butler’s words, Ye Mingluo caught something important. He asked the butler, ”Uncle Steward, the medicinal farmer you mentioned, could it be Medicine Farmer Star?”

The old butler nodded earnestly, ”Indeed! Does Doctor Ye also know them?”

Among the guests, two were registered members of the Lanzhong Auction House, who had recently witnessed the thrilling moment when Ice Crystal Grass and Pink Widow were successfully auctioned off in a livestream.

Upon learning that Medicine Farmer Star had come to the Xiahou family, both exclaimed in astonishment, ”Medicine Farmer Star has come too!” They assumed he was an elderly gentleman.

In Ye Mingluo’s eyes, excitement and surprise also surfaced.

He genuinely hadn’t expected to encounter the mysterious medicinal planter Medicine Farmer Star during this trip. He wondered if this person still had any Ice Crystal Grass, as he hoped to procure one for A Zui!

Observing Ye Mingluo and the other two distinguished guests’ strong reactions to hearing Medicine Farmer Star’s name, Xiahou Old Master realized their reputable standing.

Xiahou Old Master humbly inquired of Ye Mingluo, ”Mr. Xiao Ye, who is this Medicine Farmer Star?”

Ye Mingluo slightly raised his head, his expression revealing longing and admiration, he said, ”He is the hope of the medicinal plant field!”

Just that one sentence revealed the invaluable nature of their existence.

Since they can produce rare medicines, perhaps they hold a remedy that could heal his beloved son.

With this in mind, Xiahou Old Master’s heartbeat quickened, telling the butler, ”Where is that person, take me to see them.”

He also requested of Ye Mingluo and the others, ”Distinguished guests, please wait here briefly, I’ll return after meeting a guest. Zhushan, take me to see that guest.”

The old butler agreed and whispered into the Old Master’s ear, ”The guest is just in the adjacent tea room.”

Nodding, Xiahou Old Master left the distinguished guests behind and proceeded alone to the adjacent tea room.

Entering the tea room, Xiahou Old Master looked inside and was mildly surprised to see a young girl ensconced on a vintage sofa, holding a teacup and wearing a mask.

A young girl?

Although Xu Xingguang wore a mask, her hands exposed under the sleeves were exceptionally fair, clearly belonging to a young girl.

Her appearance did not match at all with the mysterious image of the medicinal farmer in Xiahou Old Master’s mind.

Xiahou Old Master wasn’t belittling women, as his wife was a valorous female soldier. He was merely surprised by Xu Xingguang’s tender age.