Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

With just a glance from Zhou Feng, the white wolf understood and walked toward the door.

It wasn't that they weren't vigilant, but Lin Yin was constantly observing Zhou Feng's location with a drone.

If there are any special circumstances, a reminder will be sent in advance through the Bluetooth headset.

Therefore, the person who comes will naturally not have any problems.

Zhou Feng and the other three sat around the stone table in the courtyard, bathed in the dim candlelight, when Zhao Pan'er suddenly smiled.

She had met officials before, but the highest-ranking person she had ever met was Yang Yunpan from Qiantang County.

Even Yang Yunpan, when facing ordinary people, maintained his own demeanor and airs, and was not as casual as ordinary people.

In contrast, Zhou Feng, the dignified Celestial Master who protects the nation, is now sitting on such a low stone bench in this small courtyard, eating at the same table with several women.

If the high-ranking officials and nobles in Tokyo saw this, who knows what they would think of him!

But as she looked at it, a sweet feeling welled up in Zhao Pan'er's heart.

She had seen Zhou Feng put on airs and intimidate people before, and the only reason he was so easygoing now was because she was there!

Throughout history, which woman could resist such favoritism from a man of such status?

"What are you laughing at? Is there rice on my face?"

Zhou Feng glanced at Zhao Pan'er with some curiosity, then reached out and rubbed his face a few times, but found nothing unusual.

"No, no, no, I was just laughing at the fact that someone as great as you, the Heavenly Master who protects the nation, is eating here with us. I wonder what people will say if word gets out."

"Tch—who cares what they say? I wasn't exactly a proper Celestial Master anyway! Besides, even if I were the greatest Celestial Master, wouldn't I still be your husband after you marry into the family? Wouldn't you be in charge of managing the household affairs then?"

Swish!

Zhao Pan'er's originally fair face instantly turned bright red, and even Sun San Niang and Song Yin Zhang beside her had strange expressions.

Let alone a high-ranking official like Zhou Feng, even an ordinary man in the city would be extremely rare to say such words to his wife!

I'm so envious... I'm so incredibly envious!

"Sir, the people outside are Observer Gao and his daughter Gao Hui."

Lin Yin's voice came through the earpiece, and Zhou Feng quietly said, "Let them in."

The order will naturally be relayed to White Wolf by Lin Yin.

Although this courtyard was left by him for Zhao Pan'er and the other girls to live in, the security forces arranged were by no means weak because of what happened to Yu Zhongquan before.

It was certainly not something that the ancients could easily conquer.

"What's wrong? Who's that outside?"

With Zhao Pan'er's intelligence, after watching a few times, she realized that Zhou Feng and the others must have their own unique way of communicating.

But since Zhou Feng didn't tell her, she wouldn't ask him intentionally.

"A mere high level of observation is nothing to worry about."

"High observation?"

Zhao Pan'er's expression shifted, her brows furrowed slightly, and her fingers twisted inside her sleeve.

If Gao Guancha has any connection with them, it's only because of Gao Hui, who is engaged to that heartless man Ouyang Xu.

Unexpectedly, all of Zhou Feng's interactions with her from Qiantang to Tokyo were about solving her problems, which made Zhao Pan'er feel powerless.

But for a high-ranking official like Gao Hu, if Zhou Feng hadn't been there, she wouldn't even have had the right to meet him.

It's unclear whether Gao Hu is friend or foe. Although Zhou Feng, the National Protector Celestial Master, holds a noble position, the Gao family is, after all, a military clan, and their connections and influence in the capital and the palace should not be underestimated!

"Don't even think about it. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. With me here, no one can touch you."

Zhou Feng placed his hand on Zhao Pan'er's hand, his tone very calm, but full of confidence.

The latter looked up at him, and the unease in his heart inexplicably dissipated. He simply smiled and drank the remaining half bowl of soup.

Sun San Niang and Song Yin Zhang exchanged a glance and smiled at the same time.

The three of them, as best friends, have always supported and helped each other over the years.

Although nothing major happened, the feeling of having a man in front of me to shield me from the wind and rain was incredibly reassuring.

Now that Zhou Feng has made his stance clear, it seems that Pan'er's future can be looked forward to.

A moment later, White Wolf led three people in from outside.

The leader was a burly middle-aged man wearing a dark purple round-necked robe and a gold-threaded belt around his waist; he was clearly a military officer of the third rank or higher.

Behind him stood a young woman wearing a cloak, her head bowed so her face was obscured.

Behind them was a servant-like man carrying two lanterns.

White Wolf stepped forward, bowed slightly, and announced, "Master, Gao has observed."

Zhou Feng remained seated on the stone bench, slowly taking a sip of his tea before looking up towards the courtyard gate.

Zhao Pan'er originally wanted to get up and go forward, since the other party was a high-ranking official and a powerful figure, but when she noticed Zhou Feng's movements, she immediately stopped herself from taking a step forward.

She straightened her clothes and then bowed slightly to Gao Hu from afar: "Zhao Pan'er, a merchant girl from Qiantang, greets Inspector Gao. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me."

Before Zhao Pan'er could even finish her greeting, Gao Hu strode forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed even lower than her: "Madam Zhao, you're too kind! It's I who should be apologizing!"

To be honest, for an observer to refer to himself as a subordinate in front of a merchant girl and to lower his posture to such an extent, if the officials in the court knew about it, he would surely be impeached for being improper.

But Gao Hu couldn't care less about that at the moment.

He straightened up, his gaze sweeping past Zhao Pan'er before settling on the figure in the moon-white Taoist robe. He bowed deeply again: "This humble official, Gao Hu, pays respects to the Celestial Master!"

Zhou Feng then put down his teacup, slowly stood up, and took two steps toward the door.

He didn't speak immediately, but first glanced at Gao Hu, and then at the cloaked woman behind him.

"I am unworthy of being called 'sir' by such a high-ranking person. In terms of rank, sir, you are no lower than me."

"You jest, Master Celestial..."

Gao Hu remained extremely humble: "That day, when the Celestial Master assisted the Emperor in summoning lightning in the palace, I was fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. The Emperor even bestowed upon you the honor of being one rank higher than any other official, so..."

"So, what urgent matter brings you here so late at night, Observer Gao?"

Zhou Feng interrupted Gao Hu in a flat tone.

Sweat beaded on Gao Hu's forehead, but he could only grit his teeth, turn to the side, and pull the woman behind him over.

"You wretched child! Apologize to the Celestial Master at once!"

The girl stumbled, and the cloak on her head was lifted, revealing a young face.

She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate features. Her eyes and brows showed a hint of spoiled stubbornness and grievance. At this moment, her lips were tightly pursed and her eyes were red, as if she had just been crying.

It was Gao Hu's daughter, Gao Hui.