Chapter 625 - 209: Lin Shuhua’s Astonishing Guess

Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang, accompanied by the father and son Lin Weiyuan and Lin Ziheng, as well as a group of Lin Family Elders, slowly stepped into the Lin Mansion.

Inside the mansion were carved beams and painted rafters, with deep courtyards. The bluestone-paved path was lined with rare flowers and exotic plants. A gentle evening breeze carried their sweet fragrance.

Along the way, servants in uniform would occasionally bow in greeting, their eyes filled with reverence.

Just as the group passed through the Moon Gate in the front courtyard, several female family members approached gracefully from a distant corridor. Leading them was a still-charming, middle-aged beauty.

She wore a dark red brocade robe embroidered with a scrolling lotus pattern, and a jade dangling hairpin was tucked into her coiffure. Her features were gentle, and her expression held the dignified air of a matriarch.

Upon seeing her, the surrounding Lin Family elders and disciples all stopped, bowed, and called out respectfully:

"Greetings, Madam."

"Greetings, Mother."

Lin Weiyuan turned and introduced her to Yang Jing with a smile. "Young Master Yang, this is my wife."

Then he turned to the beautiful woman and said gently, "My dear, this is Young Master Yang Jing of the Xuanzhen Sect. He is young and promising, and made a name for himself at the Fushan Tournament. And this is Miss Sun Ningxiang, also an outstanding disciple of the Xuanzhen Sect."

Yang Jing quickly cupped his fists in a salute, his tone humble. "This junior, Yang Jing, pays his respects to Madam Lin."

Sun Ningxiang also bowed and said in a clear voice, "This junior, Sun Ningxiang, pays her respects to Madam Lin."

A gentle smile appeared on Madam Lin’s face as she gave them a slight nod. "Young Master Yang, Miss Sun, there’s no need for such formalities. You’ve had a long journey. Please, come in."

After the pleasantries, Lin Weiyuan looked at his wife and instructed, "Take Miss Sun for a walk around the mansion to familiarize her with the place. When the banquet is ready, you can go straight to the main hall."

With that, he turned back to Yang Jing, his tone now a bit more serious. "Young Master Yang, the banquet will be ready in a little while. Why don’t you join me in the study for a bit? We can chat at our leisure."

"That is what I wished for, but dared not ask."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jing smiled and nodded. ’This must be Lin Weiyuan’s way of getting me alone for a talk,’ he thought. ’Whether it’s to build a closer relationship or for some other reason, I have no cause to refuse.’

Lin Weiyuan immediately swept his arm out in a gesture of invitation. "Young Master Yang, please."

Yang Jing strode forward to follow him. The two of them walked along a path paved with bluestone slabs, heading toward the study deep within the mansion.

Lin Ziheng and the Elders remained where they were, not following.

They had only taken a few steps when Lin Weiyuan suddenly stopped. He looked back at Lin Shuhua in the crowd and called out, "Shuhua, come with us to the study and serve tea."

Standing in the crowd, Lin Shuhua was taken aback by his words and didn’t react for a moment.

’Whenever the family has had honored guests in the past, serving tea has always been a task for the servants or designated staff. Father has never asked me, his fifth daughter from the main family line, to do it myself.’

’Why is he suddenly asking me to serve tea to Yang Jing today?’

’Is it because of Yang Jing’s special status? Is Father trying to show him particular favor?’

Though her mind was filled with doubt, her upbringing left no room for hesitation. She immediately stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Yes, Father."

Yang Jing also followed Lin Weiyuan’s gaze and looked back, a flicker of doubt in his mind.

’Why would Patriarch Lin suddenly call for a young woman like her to serve tea in the study?’ he wondered.

’Logically, the study is a private place. Female family members aren’t supposed to enter so casually.’

His gaze fell upon Lin Shuhua, and he couldn’t help but pause for a moment.

The young woman before him wore a pale pink blouse and skirt, her hair styled in a neat double-loop bun. Her skin was fair, her features delicate. Although her face was still a bit green, with a touch of girlish immaturity, her features were well-proportioned, exuding an innate, dignified grace.

As some might say, hers was a stately sort of beauty, the kind that evoked a sense of peace and security. Just looking at her felt comforting.

However, Yang Jing was no lecher. Even though he found Lin Shuhua to be exceptionally beautiful, his feelings were purely appreciative, without the slightest hint of romantic interest.

His mind was currently focused entirely on cultivation. He only wanted to break through to the Qi Absorption Realm as quickly as possible and paid little attention to matters of the heart.

At that moment, Lin Shuhua had already walked up quickly and gave Yang Jing a slight curtsy. Her movements were flawless, and her every gesture revealed an excellent upbringing and adherence to etiquette, without the slightest impropriety.

Yang Jing nodded lightly. His gaze lingered on her for only a moment before he looked away, thinking to himself, ’This woman is different from the others I’ve met.’

’Senior Sister Ning Xiang is also gentle, kind, and approachable, but she grew up in a Martial Arts Hall, training under her master. Her personality has a straightforward and carefree streak. She doesn’t sweat the small stuff, and when we’re together, there isn’t so much ceremony. She doesn’t rigidly adhere to every single rule.’

’As for Senior Sister Si Jiawen, she’s a bona fide ice queen—cold, aloof, and direct in both word and deed. She never pays mind to such empty formalities, so of course, there’s no talk of her being prim and proper.’

’And then there’s Master...’ Yang Jing subconsciously shook his head. ’I’d better not compare her to Master,’ he thought. ’That would be a bit disrespectful.’

’But there’s no denying that when it comes to peerless beauty and that cold, otherworldly, ethereal quality, Master is unique and unmatched.’

’But for Master, all I feel is pure respect and reverence, the way one looks up to a towering mountain. I wouldn’t dare have the slightest profane thought.’

Seeing Yang Jing’s gaze on Lin Shuhua, Lin Weiyuan smiled and introduced her. "Young Master Yang, this is my daughter, Lin Shuhua. She personally handled all the arrangements for this evening’s banquet. She’s worked quite hard."