Taiyi Dao Fruit

After leaving the Imperial City, Jiang Li did not immediately return to the Tianxuan estate, but went to another place instead.

——The Jiang family's territory.

The residences were orderly scattered, occupying about five percent of the Upper City District, and near the central area, one could even see palaces.

In the Divine Capital, there are only two places that have palaces: one is the Imperial City, and the other is the Jiang family's territory.

This kind of setup represents the status of the Jiang family.

It is precisely because of the existence of palaces that no one dares to occupy the Jiang family's territory after it was deserted. Otherwise, even if the Jiang Family Master might return, some may still have thievish intentions.

After four years, the once vibrant territory has revealed its desolation, with many high walls of the residences overrun by rampant vines and other plants.

Jiang Li walked along until he approached the central area, only then did he hear voices.

It was the Jiang Clan who had arrived in the Divine Capital just yesterday, led by the Clan Elder from the ancestral land. Although they had long departed from the Yong Province ancestral land and informed the Divine Capital's Jiang family of their return, they had actually been on the road all this time.

Only after Jiang Sikong succeeded in holding sway over the court and field, did these Jiang clans return to the Divine Capital under the protection of Elder Yuheng.

Jiang Li arrived at one of the palaces, releasing a hint of Qi mechanism.

The palace before him was solemn and heavy, bearing obvious marks of time, its shape closely resembling the Lie Mountain Hall of Jiang's Ancestral Land.

It is also Lie Mountain Hall, the Lie Mountain Hall of the Jiang Family Main House in the Divine Capital.

Every year, the Jiang Family Main House would hold ancestral rituals here, with the Jiang Family Master meeting the heads of the branches in the front hall; it is essentially the critical place of the Jiang family. Additionally, the high-ranking figures of the Jiang Family Main House are bestowed official positions by the Family Master, making the entire Jiang family akin to a small court; saying this Lie Mountain Hall is a Little Ziwei Palace is not an exaggeration.

Not long after Jiang Li released the Qi mechanism, an elder quickly stepped out of the hall, saluting Jiang Li with due respect, "Greetings, Family Head."

It was precisely the Clan Elder who had returned from the ancestral land.

"The Clan Elder not only has taken over the work of the servants, but has also taken on greeting guests," Jiang Li joked as he looked at the elder with a smile.

The elder was dressed in plain clothes, with visible traces of dust, evidently having cleaned the house earlier, perhaps even just now. After all, it had been four years, and unlike the Cave Heaven Blessed Land, there was no way to maintain the Array, naturally resulting in a lot of accumulated dust.

The Clan Elder laughed heartily, "It's good for old bones to move a bit, lest they rust. Moreover, only a dozen or so from the clan came back, wanting to quickly clean the Lie Mountain Hall and other side halls is not an easy task."

The Clan Elder appeared radiant and his mental state was not inferior to that of young people, clearly invigorated by the resurgence of the Jiang family.

As he spoke, he led the way in front, taking Jiang Li into the hall, "I've already sent Qing Ji to deliver a letter, urging someone from the ancestral land to come soon, in no more than a month, the territory will be bustling again."

"Also, Luu Wangji and Jiang Yang, those young ones, have accomplished merits in quelling the Taiping Sect, legitimately recruited to hold official posts by you, Family Head, or placed in the military to seek a position. Our Jiang family has rebuilt after the fall and risen again."

At the peak of enthusiasm, the Clan Elder's smile was impossible to hide.

"Oh yes, we also need to tidy up the Family Head's residence so that you can settle in."

"There's no rush for that, I'm currently living with my master for convenience's sake," Jiang Li interjected, "Besides, leaving right after becoming the Minister of Works may seem heartless."

Jiang Li thought it absurd to relocate there when Tianxuan and Gongsun Qingyue were on the other side.

He was quite clearheaded to stay where he was.

"What the Family Head says makes sense, leaving as soon as power rises may seem like greed for interests."

The Clan Elder furrowed his brow, "Moreover, this might make the Gongsun Family suspicious. That's wronging the Family Head, we'll wait a bit longer."

"No wrong, no wrong," Jiang Li shook his hands repeatedly.

The Clan Elder thought Jiang Li was dignified, serving Tianxuan loyally, even assumingly living as a sponging son-in-law, not knowing how much enjoyment Jiang Li derived from it.

As many of such grievances as there could be, Jiang Li would welcome them.

"Also, Family Head, Zhu Hui'an from Yangzhou has come to visit, he's been waiting for an hour," the Clan Elder added.

With that, he led Jiang Li past the main hall of the Lie Mountain Hall, into a reception room in the side hall.

The room had been cleaned, Zhu Hui'an was seated in a guest's Taishi Chair. Upon seeing Jiang Li arrive, he immediately rose and saluted, "Jiang Sikong, it's been a while."

Jiang Li's gaze shifted slightly, returning the salute, "It's been a while, Mr. Hui'an."

With that, he gestured for the Clan Elder to leave first, then took the lead and sat in the main chair.

Zhu Hui'an was not reserved, and took his seat again.

Looking at Zhu Hui'an, Jiang Li smiled and said, "Mr. Hui'an truly predicts like a divinity, able to foresee that I would first come to the Jiang family's territory."

The shift from "I" to "Lonely One" was seamless. Jiang Li always adapted quickly, able to handle the demeanor of the Three Dukes and Jiang Family Master steadily.

However, in Zhu Hui'an's view, while Jiang Li had assumed the pompous title, he seemed not to attach much importance to his current authority.

"In fact, when Sikong defeated the Yin Law Department yesterday, as the Jiang people entered the Divine Capital, I had already come here to check, not seeing Sikong,"

Mr. Hui'an said, "Today Sikong attended the court, I deduced Sikong would come, thus visited in advance, awaiting Sikong, though I miscalculated, guessing earlier than Sikong actually arrived."

"Sikong… seems not to mind the Jiang family's power."