Chapter 621 - 208: Hong Qingzhu’s Request

The city walls of Jintai Prefecture City stood tall and imposing.

The Lin Family Mansion was situated in the heart of the city.

The vermilion main gates were wide open, with two large red lanterns hanging before them. On both sides of the entrance stood several guards in martial attire, their expressions solemn.

Inside the Lin Mansion, it was a scene of bustling activity, with servants hurrying back and forth, each attending to their duties.

Some carried exquisite tableware to the main hall, others rushed to the kitchens with fresh ingredients, while still others wiped down tables and chairs and arranged flowers in the courtyard.

Tonight, the Lin Family was hosting a banquet for Yang Jing, a newly risen prodigy from the Xuanzhen Sect. This was a major event personally ordered by Patriarch Lin, so no one in the entire mansion dared to be the slightest bit negligent, all working together to make the final preparations.

In the mansion’s gardens and corridors, many of the Lin Family’s younger generation, both men and women, gathered in small groups, discussing tonight’s guest of honor in low voices.

"Did you hear? The Yang Jing we’re hosting tonight tied for first place in the Xuanzhen Sect’s Fushan Grand Competition. He fought to a draw with a top-tier genius like Chu Yunhai!"

"That’s not all! I heard from my dad that this Yang Jing has only been in the sect for a little over half a year, and he’s already broken through to the Qi Eating Realm in all Three True Skills. A talent like that is considered top-tier even among the five great sects!"

"That’s incredible! For us Lin Family members, even with the support of our family’s resources, breaking through to the Qi Eating Realm is incredibly difficult. For him to achieve so much at such a young age... he’s practically a legend!"

For these ordinary members of the Lin Family, even though they were backed by a great family and didn’t have to worry about Cultivation Resources, the path of the Martial Dao was inherently difficult. The Qi Eating Realm was a threshold many of them would never be able to reach in their entire lifetime.

For someone like Yang Jing to achieve such astonishing results at his age made him an unreachable existence in their eyes.

In the western corridor.

Wisteria vines, in full bloom, twined around the pillars, their faint fragrance permeating the air.

The Lin Family’s Fifth Miss, Lin Shuhua, was standing there. She wore a light pink gown, her hair styled in a double-looped bun, and her eyes held a lively sparkle. Standing beside her was the Hong Family’s Second Miss, Hong Qingzhu.

Hong Qingzhu wore a jade-green dress. She had pretty, delicate features and a gentle disposition, but her expression at the moment was somewhat gloomy.

Just then, a servant in a long blue robe hurried over and bowed to Lin Shuhua. "Fifth Miss, we need your final instructions on the banquet table arrangements. How should the seats in the main hall be laid out?"

Lin Shuhua looked up, her tone crisp and methodical. "The banquet will be in the main hall. The seat of honor at the head of the table is for my father, of course. As for the guests, Young Master Yang Jing is the guest of honor, so place him in the first seat to the right of my father. Follow that plan, and make sure everything is arranged neatly. Use the finest imperial kiln porcelain for the tableware."

"Yes, Miss. I’ll see to it at once." The servant replied respectfully, bowed, and then hurried away.

Hong Qingzhu watched Lin Shuhua methodically giving orders, a touch of admiration in her eyes. She said softly, "Shuhua, you’re two years younger than me, yet you’re already so organized and capable when you handle things. You’re so much better at this than I am."

Lin Shuhua’s smile faded slightly at her words. She shook her head, a hint of melancholy in her voice. "I can’t compare myself to you. You’re a cherished daughter of the Hong Family. Your father and older brother both dote on you. In the future, you’ll have a say in what you want to do and who you want to marry.

"But it’s different for me. I have no choice in who I will marry; it’s all up to my family’s arrangements.

"My father made me learn how to manage household affairs and the art of hospitality since I was a child. He said it was so I could properly run my husband’s household after I marry."

At this, she sighed softly, a glimmer of yearning in her eyes. "If I had a choice, I’d want to be as free as you are—not bound by all these rules, just able to live as I please."

As the words left her mouth, Lin Shuhua noticed that Hong Qingzhu’s expression had grown even more somber. Her eyes, which were usually full of laughter, were now brimming with sorrow, completely lacking their former cheerfulness.

A thought struck her. ’My words must have upset her.’ She quickly changed the subject, taking a small breath before asking in a different tone, "Qing Zhu, is there a reason you came to see me today? Usually, when you visit, you’re dragging me out to go shopping or eat pastries, but you’ve been so gloomy this whole time."

At her question, Hong Qingzhu slowly lowered her head, her gaze falling on the stone pavers at her feet. Her voice was tinged with frustration and hurt. "Sigh... Shuhua, I... I’m not free anymore."

"Huh?" Lin Shuhua was taken aback, her face full of confusion. "Qing Zhu, what’s wrong? Why would you suddenly say that? Did something happen?"

Hong Qingzhu lifted her head. Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions as she looked at Lin Shuhua. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally asked, "Shuhua, is your family... hosting a banquet for Yang Jing tonight?"

Lin Shuhua was even more puzzled, but she nodded. "Yes, it’s a major affair that my father specifically arranged. He said he wants to build a good relationship with this new prodigy from the Xuanzhen Sect. I’ve been busy with the banquet preparations all day; otherwise, I’d definitely have gone out shopping with you."

She paused for a moment, then couldn’t resist asking, "Qing Zhu, why do you ask? Don’t tell me you know Young Master Yang Jing?"

The words had barely left her mouth when an idea seemed to strike Lin Shuhua. A sly smile appeared on her face as she leaned closer to Hong Qingzhu and whispered, "Qing Zhu, don’t tell me... you want to sneak a peek at Young Master Yang Jing, too?"

After all, she had heard that ever since the Fushan Grand Competition ended, Yang Jing’s name had spread throughout the aristocratic circles of Jintai Prefecture City.