Chapter 100. The banquet. [2]
Inside the patriarch’s courtyard, several servants bustled about with unusual enthusiasm.
Today was no ordinary day.
It was the Lin Family’s Rank Eight promotion banquet.
Naturally, every detail surrounding the patriarch’s appearance had to be flawless.
Lin Xuan stood patiently with his arms spread as a pair of servants adjusted the layers of his robes while another carefully fastened a jade belt around his waist.
A young maid stepped forward to straighten his collar before taking a few steps back to admire her work.
"It’s done, Patriarch."
Lin Xuan glanced down at himself.
The ceremonial robes were dignified, predominantly black with intricate silver embroidery woven throughout the sleeves and hem.
They carried the imposing aura befitting the head of a great clan.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"Thank you."
With that, he stepped out of the room but no sooner had he entered the courtyard than Nanny Liu’s smile froze.
She frowned deeply.
"...Patriarch."
Lin Xuan paused.
"Yes?"
Nanny Liu looked him over from head to toe before slowly shaking her head.
"No."
Lin Xuan blinked.
"...No?"
Without responding to his confusion, Nanny Liu had already marched straight into his room.
"You all."
She beckoned toward the servants.
"Come help me."
The servants hurriedly followed behind her.
Lin Xuan stood alone in the courtyard, scratching the back of his head helplessly.
"... What’s wrong with black?"
No one answered him aside from Nanny Liu’s decisive voice that came from unside the room.
"Not today. We’re celebrating, not mourning."
A moment later, she emerged carrying a set of pristine white robes embroidered with elegant bamboo motifs.
The fabric shimmered softly beneath the morning light, while a dark inner robe and matching sash provided a tasteful contrast.
She looked at the outfit approvingly before turning to Lin Xuan.
"This."
She held it out.
"This is what a young patriarch should wear."
Without waiting for an answer, she ushered him back inside.
For the next quarter of an hour, Lin Xuan was completely at the mercy of Nanny Liu and the servants.
Only after Nanny Liu was completely satisfied did she allow him to step outside again.
This time, Lin Xuan emerged wearing flowing white robes adorned with subtle bamboo patterns.
The jade ornament at his waist gently swayed with each step, while his neatly tied long hair gave him the graceful bearing of an immortal scholar.
Nanny Liu stared at him for several moments.
Then, a warm smile slowly spread across her face.
"Good..."
She nodded repeatedly.
"Very good. This is befitting of the Patriarch."
As she gazed at the young man before her, her vision gradually blurred and tears quietly gathered in the corners of her eyes.
She quickly wiped them away with her sleeve.
"The old Patriarch..."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"...would have been so happy to see you today. The Lin Family has finally risen again."
She smiled through her tears.
"And our young master has truly become a Patriarch worthy of leading the Lin Family."
Lin Xuan’s expression softened.
He looked at the woman who had watched Lin Xuan grow up and smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Nanny. That means a lot to me."
Nanny Liu gently wiped away the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes before looking up at him once more.
For a brief moment, she simply nodded in satisfaction.
Then her brows suddenly furrowed.
Lin Xuan blinked in confusion.
"...What?"
"Don’t move."
Without another word, Nanny Liu stepped closer.
She reached out and carefully straightened the slightly folded sleeve of his robe before smoothing out a few wrinkles.
Only after inspecting him from every angle did she finally take a step back.
"There."
She nodded with satisfaction.
"Now you’re ready."
Just as Nanny Liu finished adjusting the last fold of Lin Xuan’s sleeve, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard.
"Father!"
The courtyard gates swung open as Lin Zhaoyue hurried inside.
She glanced around anxiously before her eyes finally landed on Lin Xuan.
"...You’re still here!"
She let out an exasperated sigh.
"Is Father not done yet? Everyone’s already arrived!"
She quickly counted on her fingers.
"The Zhao Family, the Shangguan Family, the Su family, the neighboring clans and even the emissary from the Royal Palace has already arrived!"
Her anxious gaze swept over the courtyard.
"We’re the hosts, Father! We can’t keep everyone waiting!"
Lin Xuan smiled helplessly.
"Alright, alright."
He spread his hands slightly.
"I’m finished."
He glanced toward Nanny Liu with a grin.
"Or... am I allowed to leave now?"
Nanny Liu carefully looked him over one final time and finally nodded in satisfaction.
"You may."
Lin Xuan couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Then let’s go."
Lin Zhaoyue immediately brightened.
She walked beside him while Nanny Liu and the servants followed several paces behind.
Father and daughter quietly left the secluded courtyard together.
Outside, countless disciples stopped what they were doing and respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Patriarch!"
"Greetings, Young Miss!"
Lin Xuan acknowledged them with a gentle nod as he continued toward the grand banquet hall.
The lively sounds of conversation gradually grew louder with every step.
———————————————————
Within the enormous banquet venue, hundreds of guests were already seated according to their status.
Representatives from neighboring clans, influential merchants, renowned alchemists, and respected city officials filled the spacious hall.
Even the Huang Family elder remained quietly seated among the guests.
At the highest seat reserved for honored visitors sat a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious crimson robes embroidered with golden dragons.
His posture was upright, and although he simply sipped his tea in silence, an invisible pressure naturally radiated from him.
He was the royal emissary sent directly by the King.
His presence alone demonstrated how seriously the kingdom regarded the Lin Family’s promotion.
As the conversations continued, a disciple standing near the entrance suddenly raised his voice.
"The Patriarch has arrived!"
Instantly, the bustling hall fell silent.
Every pair of eyes turned toward the entrance.
A moment later, Lin Xuan stepped through the doorway.
Dressed in elegant white robes that seemed almost radiant beneath the morning sunlight, he carried himself with calm confidence.
His long black hair flowed neatly behind him, while the jade ornament at his waist gently swayed with each measured step.
Beside him walked Lin Zhaoyue, who had finally relaxed now that her father had arrived.
For a brief moment, the entire hall simply watched in silence.