Chapter 102. Rank 8 [2]
Lin Xuan looked across the banquet hall, taking in the expressions of anticipation that had spread across every table.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I have said everything that needed to be said."
He slowly swept his gaze over the assembled guests before cupping his fists once more.
"Once again, on behalf of the Lin Family, I thank you all for honoring us with your presence today. I sincerely hope that everyone enjoys both today’s banquet and the auction that will follow."
He stepped back half a pace and raised his right hand.
"Now then, let the banquet begin!"
The moment those words fell, the musicians waiting at the edge of the courtyard immediately began to play.
A lively melody echoed throughout the Lin Estate, replacing the solemn atmosphere with one of celebration.
At the same time, dozens of servants emerged from every direction carrying exquisite dishes prepared well in advance.
One delicacy after another was carefully placed upon the tables.
Steaming spirit beast meat freshly hunted from Violet Log city.
Fresh seafood caught from Azure Willow City’s surrounding waters.
Spirit vegetables imported from the royal capital Yanshou city.
And jars of fine spirit wine from Blue River City.
The rich aroma of food quickly filled the entire estate.
The guests who had maintained their dignified composure during Lin Xuan’s speech finally relaxed.
Laughter gradually replaced the earlier silence.
Cups were raised and toasts were exchanged.
Representatives from various clans began introducing themselves to one another, while merchants eagerly seized the opportunity to discuss future cooperation.
The banquet had only just begun, yet countless business opportunities were already taking shape.
At the highest seat, the royal envoy gently lifted his wine cup toward Lin Xuan.
"Patriarch Lin. This old man offers you a toast. May the Lin Family continue to prosper."
Lin Xuan immediately returned the gesture.
"Thank you, Envoy. The Lin Family is honored."
The two drank simultaneously, drawing the attention of many of the gathered guests.
Seeing the royal envoy personally toast Lin Xuan, several clan heads quietly exchanged meaningful glances.
The Lin Family’s standing within the kingdom had undoubtedly risen another step.
Not far away, Lin Zhaoyue quietly observed the royal envoy from her seat.
Her brows gradually knitted together.
I’ve definitely seen that old man before...
She frowned thoughtfully.
But where...?
No matter how hard she searched her memories, she simply couldn’t recall.
Just as she was about to give up—
"What are you looking at, little girl?"
A gentle, melodious voice suddenly sounded from directly behind her.
Lin Zhaoyue’s pupils instantly contracted and she immediately turned around.
Standing behind her was a breathtakingly beautiful woman dressed in flowing azure robes.
Her features were flawless, her smile warm, yet her presence was so faint that no one seemed to have noticed when she arrived.
The moment Lin Zhaoyue saw her, her entire body froze.
She simply stood there, staring at the woman with undisguised terror.
The beautiful woman tilted her head curiously before her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Ah!"
A delighted smile blossomed across her face.
"It’s you! I knew we were fated."
She clasped her hands together happily.
Without caring about the countless eyes watching, she gracefully knelt until she was level with the eleven-year-old girl.
Lin Zhaoyue’s lips trembled.
"S..."
The beautiful woman blinke as she leaned closer, bringing one ear toward Lin Zhaoyue.
"What was that? I didn’t quite catch it."
"S..."
Lin Zhaoyue instinctively took half a step backward.
The beautiful woman unconsciously leaned in even closer.
"Could you say it one more—"
"Stay away from me!"
Lin Zhaoyue’s voice suddenly rang throughout the banquet hall.
The cheerful atmosphere came to an abrupt halt.
Every guest instinctively turned toward the source of the shout.
Even Lin Xuan, who had been speaking with the royal envoy only moments earlier, immediately turned toward the commotion. The instant he saw the unmistakable fear on Lin Zhaoyue’s face, his expression changed drastically.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he set his wine cup aside and shot across the banquet hall.
In the blink of an eye, he arrived before his daughter and immediately pulled her behind him, shielding her with his own body.
His expression, which had been warm and welcoming throughout the banquet, had completely vanished.
"Zhaoyue."
His voice remained calm, but everyone close enough could hear the concern hidden beneath it.
"Are you alright?"
Behind him, Lin Zhaoyue instinctively grabbed the sleeve of his robe.
Her hands trembled unable to answer.
She simply clung to him, her eyes never leaving the woman in azure.
Feeling the slight trembling from behind him, Lin Xuan’s heart sank.
He had never seen his daughter react this way.
The joyous atmosphere of the banquet disappeared in an instant.
The Lin Family elders rose to their feet one after another.
Several discreetly circulated their spiritual qi, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice.
The surrounding guests instinctively created more distance, unsure what had just transpired.
Even the royal envoy had set down his wine cup, his gaze becoming considerably more serious.
Lin Xuan slowly cupped one hand over the other.
Although his posture remained respectful, there wasn’t the slightest warmth in his voice.
"May I ask, who this esteemed senior is?"
The beautiful woman blinked.
She looked at Lin Xuan from head to toe before her eyes gradually widened.
"You’re..."
A look of astonishment spread across her beautiful face.
"You’re her father?"
Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged.
"That doesn’t answer my question."
The woman blinked several more times before a bright smile blossomed across her face.
"I’m your sister-in-law!"
She placed a hand on her chest proudly.
"Don’t you remember me? I’m Qin Xishu!"
She leaned forward excitedly as though they were old acquaintances.
"Does that mean..."
She immediately pointed toward the stunned Lin Zhaoyue standing behind Lin Xuan.
"I’m her aunt?"
Her smile became even brighter.
"Ahh! No wonder we keep running into each other!"
The entire hall exploded into an uproar.
"The Qin Family?"
Someone abruptly stood up in shock.
"Did she just say the Qin Family?"
"What are people from the Qin Family doing here?"
A nearby elder frowned deeply.
"Was the Qin Family invited?"
Another man rolled his eyes.
"Are you blind? The Lin Family clearly didn’t know she was coming."
"Then why are they here?"
An elder lowered his voice.
"Could it be... They’re still not over that incident?"
The surrounding guests exchanged uneasy glances.
Everyone present knew there was a connection between the Lin and Qin Families but it was a subject few dared to discuss openly.