Chapter 116: Dragon and Phoenix Return Home
The next morning, prominent figures in Yingchuan City came in droves, and the birthday gifts they sent filled up half of the courtyard.

Pan Chuba was a low-key person, and had rarely interacted with strangers over the years, so most of the people who came to celebrate his birthday today were wealthy businessmen and some officials in the government office. The Pan family was a wealthy family in Yingchuan, so many people came uninvited to show their loyalty and filial piety in order to curry favor with him.

It is worth mentioning that Shen Dongshan, the richest man in the Song Dynasty, also sent someone to deliver a birthday gift, which made outsiders even more envious.

Today, apart from Liu Xunyi and the other two, no other people from the martial arts world can be found. As expected, what Pan Chuba said was true. After decades of trials and tribulations, he had long been completely forgotten by the martial arts world.

The Pan Mansion was filled with distinguished guests and good friends. On the eighth day of the eighth month, Pan set up eighteen large tables in the lobby to entertain the many guests who came to celebrate his birthday.

"Mr. Pan is still strong and healthy. How can he look like an 80-year-old? He is clearly only 60! Haha..."

"Mr. Pan Ba ​​founded the Panhuai Ship Merchants, and in just a few decades, he became the leader in Yingchuan. He is truly a role model for all of us merchants."

"Although Mr. Pan is rich in gold and silver, he is calm and has few desires. Although he is the richest man, he is approachable. Although he is good at business, he is kind and generous. His genius, noble character, humility, generosity, openness, and broad mind all demonstrate his gentlemanly character and integrity. I want to ask who among us has not received the kindness of Mr. Pan over the years? Whenever we asked for help in times of hardship, Mr. Pan never refused. Mr. Pan's reputation has long been known throughout the Huai River and Yingchuan. It is a blessing from heaven that we can live with him for the rest of our lives."

"That's right. Why don't we all toast to Master Ba and wish him good fortune and a long life!"

The hall was bustling with people, and it was very lively. As the guests toasted each other, it was not difficult to see Pan Chuba's status and prestige in Yingchuan. Although some guests' toasts were a bit flattering, there is no smoke without fire. If Pan Chuba had not done many good deeds over the years, how could they be so grateful to him?
Liu Xunyi, Luo Ningyu and Lin Fangda were arranged to sit with the two wives of the Pan family and Pan Yun and Pan Yuyin, and did not sit at the main table, because they were new here and Pan Chuba did not want to cause unwarranted suspicion. After all, those who could sit at the main table were almost all local gentry and wealthy people in Yingchuan. The sudden appearance of three unfamiliar young people would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Pan Chuba was in a very good mood today, and he accepted all the toasts. He drank more than a dozen cups of wine, and was slightly drunk, with his old face becoming particularly ruddy. Pan Wen, the eldest son, was frightened and quickly snatched his wine glass and secretly replaced it with sobering tea.

"My aunt is back!"

As the servants outside the hall shouted, everyone in the hall looked sideways. Pan Chuba was slightly stunned, then turned to ask Pan Wen, hesitantly: "Who did they say just now is back?"

"It could be my little sister!" Pan Wen answered in surprise and joy, "Let me go and take a look!" After that, without waiting for Pan Chuba's consent, Pan Wen rushed to the front yard in a hurry.

Seeing this, Luo Ningyu curiously asked Pan Yuyin, "Didn't your aunt marry far away in Jiazhou and hasn't come back for many years?"

"Sister, you're right. The last time my aunt came back was when my grandfather celebrated his 80th birthday. Jiazhou is a long way away, and the roads to Shu are difficult to travel. According to past habits, my aunt would not return to her parents' home for at least five or six years. It's only been three years now, which is really unexpected." Pan Yuyin replied. Although she was curious, she couldn't hide her joy in her words. Obviously, Pan Yuyin was very surprised by Pan Feng's sudden return.

"Dad, it's really my little sister who's back, and my brother-in-law is here with her."

Following Pan Wen's warm greeting, the hesitant Pan Chuba was overjoyed, and a look of relief appeared in his old eyes. Pan Chuba had always loved his little daughter very much, and he missed her even more after she married far away. Now that he heard that his beloved daughter had returned, Pan Chuba was naturally very happy.

While they were chatting and laughing, Pan Wen led a man and a woman into the hall. The woman was about 40 years old, and looked quite similar to Pan Wen and Pan Wu. Although she was not a beauty, she was middle-aged and had a graceful and elegant appearance. She was dressed in silk and satin, with a ring around her waist, a gold hairpin on her head, and a jade bracelet on her wrist. It was not difficult to tell that she must be living a very wealthy life now.

The burly man was Pan Feng's husband, a middle-aged man with a broad back and broad waist, big ears, sharp eyebrows and tiger eyes, and a piercing gaze. He unconsciously exuded a solemn and majestic aura. With his burly figure, solid muscles, and high bulging temples, plus the steel knife hanging on his waist, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that he was a martial artist.

The man's name was He Hu, and he ran his family's ancestral escort agency in Jiazhou, called "Longwei Escort Agency". Chief Escort He was well-known in the southern gangs. He was probably the only person in the underworld that Pan Chuba had maintained a close relationship with since he retired.

He Hu and Pan Feng have been married for more than 20 years. They treat each other with respect and love. They have an only son named He Qing.

"Dad, your daughter wishes you a long life and everlasting health!"

"Dad, I wish you a long life!"

As they entered the hall, He Hu and Pan Feng knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Pan Chuba.

"Hurry up and get up!" Pan Chuba excitedly came forward with the help of his servants, personally helped Pan Feng and his wife up, and nodded repeatedly, "I didn't expect you to arrive so soon, I'm glad you're back! I'm glad you're back!"

After hearing this, the attentive Liu Xunyi couldn't help but frown and thought to himself, "From what Mr. Pan Ba ​​said, it seems that he knew that Mr. Pan Feng and his wife were coming?"

After the greetings, Pan Chuba looked out of the hall and asked, "Where is Qing'er? Why can't I see my precious grandson?"

"Qing'er has a bad temper and neglects to practice martial arts. I punished him to practice martial arts in seclusion at home and not to step out of the escort agency for a year. That's why he couldn't come with us." He Hu replied.

Pan Chuba nodded and said, "A father should be strict in disciplining his children. That's fine! That's fine!"

After that, Pan Chuba took Pan Feng and He Hu's hands very intimately and walked towards the main table. When the guests saw that Aunt Pan had come back from afar to celebrate the birthday, they all praised her highly.

"I've heard for a long time that Master Eight's son-in-law is a well-known hero in the martial arts world. Today, I see that Chief Escort He is indeed extraordinary and heroic." A guest praised, "Master Eight has a son who is both civil and military, a daughter who is extremely filial, and such a good son-in-law. He is really the envy of others."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was another round of echoes in the hall.

"It is indeed commendable to be filial, it is commendable to be filial!" Master Pan dragged Pan Feng and He Hu to sit beside him, then raised his glass to thank the guests, "I have lived to this age and have nothing to ask for. Only by having children and grandchildren can I enjoy the happiness of family. Haha." "Master Chun is back!"

After a while, another shout was heard outside the mansion. This time it was the second wife Ding Cui's turn to stand up excitedly. There was only one "Young Master Chun" in the Pan family, and that was Pan Chun, the only son of Pan Wu and Ding Cui, and the eldest grandson who was sent to the Huainan New Army Mansion by Pan Chuba.

Before the voice fell, a man of about 23 or 24 came walking towards them with strong strides, followed by four soldiers in plain clothes.

Since Yingchuan was now under the rule of Mongolia, Pan Chun and others who came from Huainan could not wear the military uniforms of the Song Dynasty, but had to change into plain clothes.

From a distance, this boy looked tall and majestic, but when you get closer, you can see that he has a rabbit head and a deer brain, rat eyes and sneaky eyebrows, a wide nose bridge, high cheekbones, a retracted chin, and slightly pouty lips. In stark contrast to the handsome Pan Yun and Pan Yuyin, Pan Chun is an ugly man. Just based on his appearance, it is hard for outsiders to believe that Pan Chun and Pan Yun are cousins.

"Chun'er!"

Seeing Pan Chun from afar, Ding Cui could no longer contain her joy. She rushed to Pan Chun in two steps and hugged him tightly. Before she could say anything, tears were already falling.

"Grandpa, your grandson wishes you a happy birthday!"

"Chun'er, you're back." Pan Chuba didn't seem surprised by Pan Chun's sudden return. He just nodded gently and smiled, "After three years, my grandson has become stronger and more energetic. Good! Very good!" After that, Pan Chuba waved his hand to signal Pan Chun to sit at the next table.

Pan Chuba's calm reaction once again aroused Liu Xunyi's speculation. At the same time, he also had some vague guesses about the sudden return of Pan Feng and his wife and Pan Chun.

"Brother, why did you come back suddenly?" Facing the energetic Pan Chun, Pan Yun couldn't help but feel curious.

"What? You don't want your eldest brother to come back?" Before Pan Chun could speak, Ding Cui sneered, "Pan Chun is the eldest grandson of the Pan family. Today is his grandfather's birthday. Why shouldn't he come? If he doesn't come, the guests will laugh at him and say that our Pan family has no order and no rules!"

Ding Cui's harsh words made the eldest lady's face change slightly.

Pan Yun had no ill intentions, but he was met with such sarcasm and ridicule for no reason. He couldn't help but look embarrassed and apologized hastily, "Second Madam, you are right. It was my nephew who made a mistake."

"You are too kind, sister-in-law. Yun'er is just concerned about Chun'er and has no other intentions. Why do you have to talk about other things?" The eldest lady seemed very dissatisfied with Ding Cui's indirect criticism, so she spoke to excuse Pan Yun, "Besides, as elders, we should not interfere in the affairs between brothers."

"My eldest sister-in-law taught me a good lesson. I really shouldn't have said anything about the brothers' affairs..." After saying that, Ding Cui pretended to be wronged and sighed, "In fact, in the Pan family, when was it my turn to speak? Whatever I said was evasive and interfering. If it weren't for my eldest sister-in-law who always smoothed things over for me, I'm afraid that as a daughter-in-law, I would have been kicked out long ago."

"Mother, who dares to kick you out?" Pan Chun's face darkened when he heard this, and he said in a muffled voice, "You burst into tears when you saw me just now, but what injustice did you suffer at home during the time I was away?"

"Mother is fine... Mother..." Faced with Pan Chun's questioning, Ding Cui still pretended to be well-educated and stopped talking, sobbing. Seeing this, the eldest lady, Pan Yun, and Pan Yuyin all looked embarrassed. Ding Cui cried as if she had really suffered a great injustice.

Faced with the open and secret struggles within the Pan family, Liu Xunyi and the other two could only look at each other. Although they felt a little unfair for the eldest lady, it was someone else's family affair after all. How could they say too much?

"Master...Master, someone...someone else is coming..."

Just as groups of people were chatting happily in the hall, a slightly panicked voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

Upon hearing this, everyone became suspicious: it was almost noon and the banquet was almost over, so who would visit at this time?

"Congratulations, congratulations to Mr. Pan Ba ​​for his longevity, may you have this day every year!"

Although it was words of congratulation, the voice was unusually gloomy, and even mixed with a tit-for-tat provocation.

Immediately afterwards, Li Lao Hu led twenty or thirty disciples of the Donghu Gang, forcibly pushed away the servants of the Pan Mansion who wanted to stop them, and barged into the lobby in a rude manner.

The most surprising thing was that today, Li Lao Hu actually had a piece of white cloth tied on his head and waist, and his disciples were all in mourning. On both sides, they held up wreaths, white banners, paper people and paper horses. While breaking into the Pan Mansion, they also kept throwing paper money into the sky.

How could this kind of crowd be here to celebrate a birthday? They are clearly here to mourn a dead person!

This scene caused the hall to fall into dead silence instantly. Most of the people present were merchants from Yingchuan. Everyone had been bullied and humiliated by the Donghu Gang. They were even more terrified of the notorious Li Lao Hu. Seeing that he came with ill intentions today, they all looked terrified and dared not say much.

"Boss Li?" Pan Wen was furious when he saw this. He rushed forward and shouted angrily, "Today is my father's birthday. What do you mean by this?"

"Don't get me wrong, Boss Pan. I came here today to congratulate your Pan family!"

……

　Touring the ancient town at night, you will see green bricks and tiles, restaurants and teahouses, which are lifelike and full of charm. In a trance, it is as if you are in the world of books, Yingchuan Huaishui, Pan Mansion, probably...
　　
　
(End of this chapter)