Chapter 5004: Trouble Brewing Considering the depth of the Cheng family’s roots in Longnan, the elders felt a flicker of unease. Suppressing their shock, they immediately turned to Lady Song beside them and said, “Since he and Lingbo are old acquaintances, and you are unwell, why not invite them to stay at the residence for a day or two?” Hearing this, Madam Song furrowed her brow slightly. “But my husband specifically instructed that we not receive guests during this period.” Moreover, whether it was a woman’s intuition or not, she felt a certain dislike toward this group, especially that man named Cheng Wanli, who evoked a strong sense of aversion. The man had severed an arm from one of the guards without so much as a flinch, showing no regard for the fact that the guard was his own man. Such ruthlessness, coupled with his unsettling manner and speech, made her uneasy. She couldn’t fathom how such a person could be acquainted with her husband, but instinctively, she didn’t want them staying in the mansion. “Granted, they are guests,” the Fourth Elder conceded. “But the Cheng family of Longnan is no obscure, unknown entity. Keeping them for a day or two poses no harm. Moreover, as hosts, it is our duty to extend hospitality to visitors from afar.” His words trailed off as he glanced toward the First Elder, exchanging a knowing look. Truthfully, they believed the Longnan Cheng family was a formidable clan. Establishing connections with such a family could only be advantageous. Besides, though Song Lingbo and his sons were absent, their elders remained in the manor, so there was little to worry about. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚 Besides, what harm could guests from the Cheng family possibly do to the Song family? Such a thing was virtually impossible. “Let them stay! The mansion isn’t short of guest quarters,” declared the First Elder. Turning to the steward, he instructed, “Escort the guests to their quarters and see they are well attended to.” The steward glanced at Lady Song, who remained silent, then replied, “Yes.” He then gestured to Cheng Wanli and his companions, “This way, please.” “Honorable Elders, Madam, thank you all. I shall seek you out later for a proper conversation.” With a bow and a smile, he followed the steward inside. As they walked inward, Cheng Wanli’s gaze suddenly halted. He glanced toward a plain-looking woman in blue robes standing in the corner. His eyes sharpened as he scanned her, confirming she was merely an ordinary cultivator. With that, he withdrew his attention and continued stepping inside. Feng Jiu’s gaze swept indifferently over the group, her eyes flickering with an unreadable thought. She glanced at Lady Song, who had been summoned by the clan elders ahead, paused briefly, then turned and walked back. That group certainly didn’t look like good people. Especially that Cheng Wanli—she wouldn’t mistake him. The glint in his eyes when he misidentified Lady Song, like he’d spotted prey, was truly unsettling. And then there was that woman claiming to be his wife. Though her face was partially obscured by dark hair, making her features hard to discern, it was clear she was very young—a girl barely twenty. And she called herself a Lady, was she married? Hmph! That was highly improbable. “Looks like trouble brewing in the Song household,” she murmured softly, shaking her head as she turned back. She wondered when Song Lingbo and the others would return. She silently resolved: Tonight, I’ll go investigate. Better safe than sorry if they’ve invited disaster upon themselves without realizing it.