Chapter 624 - 208: Hong Qingzhu’s Request

A large, apricot-yellow banner flew from the side of the carriage, emblazoned with a massive, embroidered "Lin" that was especially conspicuous in the twilight.

Just as the carriage reached the entrance to the Lin Mansion, the vermilion gates, which had been inexplicably shut, swung open with a great RUMBLE.

Patriarch Lin, Lin Weiyuan, was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with a jade belt cinched at his waist. He led a retinue of Lin Family Elders and elite disciples, striding quickly out from the main gate. They all came to a halt in an orderly line at the foot of the stone steps, their expressions solemn.

Passersby on the street were startled by the scene. They all stopped in their tracks, moving to the side of the road and craning their necks to get a better look.

All eyes focused on the approaching carriage, their minds filled with wonder.

’To have Patriarch Lin himself lead out a retinue of the family’s highest-ranking members... just what kind of important figure is in that carriage?’

A few worldly-wise old men in brocade robes by the roadside speculated quietly, "Judging by this spectacle, the visitor must either be a top-tier expert from out of town or a high-ranking figure from the Five Great Sects."

"Otherwise, even if it were the patriarchs of the Hong or Su Families—the other two of Jintai Prefecture’s three great families—Patriarch Lin might not necessarily open the gates and greet them personally."

While they spoke, the carriage had already rolled to a slow stop at the foot of the stone steps before the Lin Mansion.

The driver quickly hopped down from his seat, deftly placed a red sandalwood mounting stool by the carriage door, and said respectfully, "Young Master, we’ve arrived."

Just then, a hand pushed aside the carriage curtain, and Lin Ziheng ducked his head to step out. He landed steadily on the mounting stool before turning to make an inviting gesture toward the carriage’s interior.

Following him, Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang alighted from the carriage in turn.

Yang Jing was dressed in his dark, close-fitting martial attire. His posture was ramrod straight, his features handsome, and his expression held a mixture of youthful vigor and steady composure.

Sun Ningxiang, meanwhile, wore a moon-white ruqun. Lightly made-up and simply adorned, she had an air of gentle, refined elegance. Standing beside Yang Jing, the two of them—a talented man and a beautiful woman—made for a particularly eye-catching pair.

Upon seeing them, Lin Weiyuan immediately led the Lin Family Elders forward with quick steps.

Yang Jing raised his eyes to look at Lin Weiyuan’s group. The patriarch had a square-jawed face and sharp eyes. He possessed a natural air of authority, the kind that came from being long accustomed to a position of power.

Lin Ziheng quickly stepped forward, gestured toward the man at the head of the group, and said to Yang Jing, "Senior Brother Yang, this is my father."

Then, he turned to Lin Weiyuan and the others and introduced with a smile, "Father, esteemed Elders, this is Senior Brother Yang Jing. You personally watched his match during the Fushan Grand Competition."

"And this is Senior Sister Sun Ningxiang, a good friend to both Senior Brother Yang and myself."

Yang Jing immediately stepped forward and bowed with his hands clasped. "This junior, Yang Jing, pays my respects, Uncle," he said humbly.

Sun Ningxiang, standing at his side, also bowed. Her voice was clear and crisp as she said, "This junior, Sun Ningxiang, pays my respects, Uncle."

The sheer pomp of the Lin Family’s reception had far exceeded Yang Jing’s expectations.

He had never expected Patriarch Lin to personally lead a retinue of elders out the gates to welcome him. Such courtesy was an immense honor, and it spoke volumes of the high regard in which the Lin Family held him.

Lin Weiyuan’s gaze first fell on Sun Ningxiang, and an imperceptible flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. From the way Young Master Yang and Miss Sun carried themselves, they were clearly very familiar with one another. He hadn’t expected Yang Jing to have such a young female companion.

Despite his surprise, his smile returned in an instant. He clasped his hands in a return salute to Yang Jing and said, "Young Master Yang, you are too kind. I have long admired your reputation. It is truly an honor for the Lin Family to be graced by your presence today."

With that, he turned sideways and gestured for them to enter. "Young Master Yang, Miss Sun," he said warmly, "let’s not stand out here. Please, come inside the mansion. The evening banquet is nearly ready."

"Of course. Thank you for your trouble, Uncle." Yang Jing nodded with a smile and, along with Sun Ningxiang, followed Lin Weiyuan and the others toward the mansion’s interior.

From within the crowd, Lin Shuhua stood in the shadows of a courtyard wall. Her gaze fell upon the backs of Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang walking side-by-side, and her brow furrowed slightly.

She watched the easy rapport between them and the gentle smile on Sun Ningxiang’s face, and a flicker of doubt couldn’t help but rise within her.

’Qing Zhu said Father wants to arrange a marriage for me with Yang Jing. But his relationship with this Senior Sister Sun is obviously very close.’

’Why do I get the feeling things aren’t quite what Qing Zhu said they were?’