After a moment, the sound of the mechanism ceased, the key automatically ejected, and the tightly shut door slowly opened.

Seeing this, Uncle Xia, the old butler, along with other stewards, servants, and maids, all bowed to Xu Xingguang, nearly calling her "madam."

The Gothic architecture inherently carried a mysterious, ancient, and eerie aura. The gray-black walls, paired with crimson furniture and curtains, gave Xu Xingguang the illusion of stepping into a vampire world.

And she was the vampire’s food for tonight.

"This house is so eerie, just like..." Xu Xingguang thought the upcoming words were inauspicious and stopped herself in time.

Huo Wen’an continued for her: "Just like living in an ancient tomb, right?"

"You said it, not me."

Huo Wen’an told Xu Xingguang: "According to the old man, the architecture here wasn’t originally this style, but my great-grandfather insisted on demolishing the original building and reconstructing this palace, perhaps due to some unknown shock."

Huo Wen’an said: "Shortly after the palace was built, he died suddenly at the age of 30. Originally, the Huo Family’s direct lineage lived here, but later they found it too eerie and moved out."

"Until now, only the Pilot needs to live here."

That’s also why Huo Wen’an lived alone in this eerie palace.

"How old would your great-grandfather be now if he hadn’t died?" Xu Xingguang was curious about what might have shocked the Old Ancestor to develop such an unusual taste and aesthetic.

"Approximately... 120 years old. He had my grandfather at 28, and my grandfather was only two when he passed away. My grandfather had a rather rough childhood, and later had to marry my grandmother to seize power."

Although Huo Canghai’s methods were harsh and ruthless, he wasn’t a man without conscience. It was thanks to the support of his wife’s family that he successfully seized the Pilot position. Despite not loving Huo Wen’an’s grandmother, he never did anything to wrong her.

Compared to those men who kick their wives to the curb after gaining power, Huo Canghai could be considered a responsible man.

Xu Xingguang suddenly said, "Then your great-grandfather is just a few years older than my grandfather."

"You’re saying if your grandfather were still alive, he’d be over a hundred years old this year?" Thinking of Mo Yinshu’s age, Huo Wen’an spoke incredulously: "If Aunt Mo were alive, she’d be 45 this year. So, your grandfather had Aunt Mo in his seventies?"

Is that possible?

Does that make sense?

Huo Wen’an knew some men remain fertile into their sixties, but it was the first time he’d heard of someone in their seventies or eighties having fertility.

"You got it wrong." Xu Xingguang explained: "My mother isn’t my grandfather’s biological daughter. According to my mother, she believes my grandfather was expelled from the family; he never married in his life, and my mother is his adopted daughter."

"However, my grandfather’s health was quite good. The last time I saw him was when I was 13 years old; he was 100 years old then, still eating and drinking, with all his teeth intact. But unfortunately, he had an accident while fishing, and we couldn’t find his body, only his cloth shoe on the riverbank."

Huo Wen’an suddenly understood, "I see."

Seeing Huo Wen’an’s pale face, Zheng Lie reminded him it was time to rest. Xu Xingguang also thought Huo Wen’an should rest more, so she said, "What floor is your room on? I’ll take you to rest."

"Third floor."

"Then let’s go."

After ushering Huo Wen’an into the room, Xu Xingguang was startled by the festive red bedspread.

"This..." She reminded Huo Wen’an: "Today isn’t our wedding night."

"No matter, in my heart, you are my wife." Huo Wen’an asked Xu Xingguang: "Would you lie down with me for a while? Such a festive bedspread, it feels wrong to sleep alone."

"Alright."

The bed was wide, and lying side by side, there was still room for two or three children. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Huo Wen’an was indeed very weak; he didn’t have the energy to think of anything inappropriate for children, and soon after lying down, he was breathing steadily and at length.

Xu Xingguang tucked him in and quietly climbed off the bed, planning to properly explore the old Huo Family house.

Such old houses are definitely full of stories, and Xu Xingguang is quite interested in the Huo Family’s history.

Knowing Xu Xingguang wanted to explore this house, Uncle Xia said: "This house is too big, with a total of 128 rooms. I’m afraid Miss Xu might not be familiar with it, so it’s better if I accompany you."

Xu Xingguang thought the same, "That would be great."