Chapter 103. Rank 8 [3]
The uproar continued spreading throughout the banquet hall.
Whispers rose from every direction as countless pairs of eyes shifted between Lin Xuan and Qin Xishu.
Despite becoming the center of attention, Lin Xuan remained completely composed.
He neither stepped aside nor relaxed his guard, continuing to shield Lin Zhaoyue behind him.
After allowing the commotion to settle slightly, he cupped his fists once more.
"Senior."
His tone was calm and courteous, revealing neither hostility nor fear.
"I’m afraid you’ve mistaken me for someone else."
A trace of confusion appeared on Qin Xishu’s beautiful face.
Lin Xuan met her gaze without the slightest change in expression.
"This Lin Xuan does not know anyone by the name of Qin Xishu."
The cheerful smile on Qin Xishu’s face gradually faded.
Without waiting for her to respond, Lin Xuan continued.
"Today is the Lin Family’s promotion banquet. Since Senior was not among those we invited, I kindly ask that you leave."
The banquet hall fell into complete silence.
Many guests subconsciously held their breath.
No one had expected Lin Xuan to respond in such a manner after learning the woman’s identity.
Rather than attempting to curry favor with the Qin Family, he had calmly and politely asked one of its members to leave.
What kind of existence was the Qin Family?
They stood at the very pinnacle of the Tianhe Empire as a Rank One clan.
Rumors had it even that their influence was so great they stood on equal footing with the imperial family itself.1
As for the Loushi Kingdom, it was merely one of countless kingdoms that owed allegiance to the Tianhe Empire.
Even the royal family treated the imperial family’s decrees as absolute commands.
For a patriarch of a newly promoted Rank Eight clan to openly ask a member of such a colossal power to leave his banquet.
The courage required bordered on the unimaginable.
Even the royal envoy narrowed his eyes, his gaze lingering on Lin Xuan with newfound scrutiny.
Surprisingly, Qin Xishu showed no sign of anger.
Instead, she blinked several times before pointing at herself in bewilderment.
"You... don’t know me?"
Her brows slowly knitted together.
"That shouldn’t be possible."
She lowered her hand and tilted her head, murmuring in confusion.
"I was the one who introduced Qin Yuxi to you though."
Qin Xishu stood there in silence for a long moment.
Then, as she had finally reached a decision, she clasped her hands behind her back and smiled sheepishly.
"...Alright, I admit my appearance today was rather abrupt."
She rubbed the back of her head awkwardly.
"I didn’t receive an invitation, and I understand why you’re wary of me."
Her tone remained as lighthearted as before, but this time there was a hint of sincerity within it.
"I promise I’ll behave and won’t interfere with your banquet. I won’t cause any trouble, please don’t kick me out."
The banquet hall became quiet once again.
Many guests turned toward Lin Xuan, waiting for his decision.
Lin Xuan remained silent.
In truth, he wanted nothing more than to escort Qin Xishu out of the Lin Estate immediately.
Unfortunately, reality was rarely so simple.
Regardless of his personal feelings, Qin Xishu still bore the surname Qin.
Humiliating a member of the Qin Family in front of so many influential guests would undoubtedly spread throughout the kingdom before the day was over.
Publicly throwing her out would only invite unnecessary trouble for the clan in the future.
After several moments of consideration, Lin Xuan finally spoke.
"Alright. However... As you have said yourself, you will not cause any disturbance during today’s banquet."
Qin Xishu nodded repeatedly.
"I promise, I’ll be on my best behavior."
She seemed genuinely pleased by his answer.
"Oh!"
As though something had just occurred to her, she looked past Lin Xuan toward the little girl hiding behind him.
"Then, can I at least—"
Before she could finish, Lin Xuan answered without a moment’s hesitation.
"No."
Qin Xishu blinked.
"...You don’t even know what I was going to ask."
He shook his head decisively.
"You are to stay away from my daughter."
The smile on Qin Xishu’s face slowly disappeared.
"For the duration of this banquet, you are not to approach her, speak to her, or seek her out in any way."
His tone remained calm throughout.
Even so, everyone present could hear the unwavering resolve behind his words.
Qin Xishu fell completely silent as Lin Xuan met her gaze without flinching.
He knew nothing about Qin Xishu’s character, her intentions, or the reason for her sudden appearance.
He could not even be certain whether she truly bore any ill will.
But of course, none of that mattered, he trusted his daughter more than anything, she was a regressor.
Yet the moment she saw Qin Xishu, genuine fear had appeared on her face.
That fact alone was enough for Lin Xuan to make his decision.
It did not matter whether Qin Xishu represented immeasurable opportunities or whether befriending the Qin Family could elevate the Lin Family to unprecedented heights.
To Lin Xuan, no benefit in the world was worth gambling with his daughter’s safety.
Having said what he intended to say, without another word, he bent down and gently lifted Lin Zhaoyue into his arms.
She offered no resistance and instead, she instinctively wrapped both arms around his neck, burying her face against his shoulder.
Lin Xuan turned toward one of the nearby disciples.
"Please escort Senior Qin to her seat."
His tone was as courteous as before, as though the earlier confrontation had never happened.
The disciple immediately cupped his fists.
"Yes, Patriarch."
He respectfully walked over to Qin Xishu.
"Senior Qin, this way, please."
Qin Xishu glanced at the father and daughter one last time before letting out a quiet sigh.
"...Alright."
She followed the disciple toward one of the honored seats without making things difficult.
Only after she had walked some distance away did a soft voice telepath inside Lin Xuan’s mind.
"Father, she’s my master in my previous life."
The words caused his heart to skip a beat.
Before he could respond, Lin Zhaoyue continued.
"She..."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"She..."
The words caught in her throat and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t bring herself to continue.
In the end, she simply tightened her embrace around Lin Xuan.
Her small body trembled ever so slightly.
Lin Xuan gently stroked the back of her head.
"It’s alright now. Daddy’s here, you’ll never leave be alone."
Lin Zhaoyue slowly nodded against his shoulder, but she made no attempt to let go.
Only then did Lin Xuan lift his head and quietly look toward Qin Xishu.
She had already reached her assigned seat.
To his surprise, she showed no signs of displeasure whatsoever and instead, she smiled warmly at everyone who greeted her.
Whether they were clan elders, family heads, or merchants, she treated each of them with the same gentle courtesy, patiently responding to every greeting without displaying the slightest trace of impatience.
Watching her now...
She appeared to be an exceptionally approachable and kind woman.
If Lin Xuan had not witnessed the terror on his daughter’s face with his own eyes...
Even he might have believed she posed no threat at all.