Chapter 50: Night Banquet
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
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Back at the Lin residence, Lin Xiu shut himself in his room, sat alone at the table, and remained silent for a long time.
A First Rank Marquis’s estate was simply too powerful for the current Lin family to provoke.
Confronting them head-on would be like throwing an egg at a rock.
Not long ago, Lin Xiu could still protect himself with the task of making ice for the Imperial Palace. Now, even his last resort was gone.
Fortunately, even in decline, the Lin family still held noble status. Even the Marquis of Yongping wouldn’t dare to act against him openly. From the incidents with Qin Cong, Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant, and Wang Wei, it was clear they were still wary of acting directly. Lin Xiu only needed to guard against their covert actions.
Having thought this through, Lin Xiu stopped worrying.
Enemies lurking in the shadows were the most terrifying. Since he had figured out their identities, he could slowly look for opportunities… opportunities to destroy them.
The next day, after breakfast, Lin Xiu left the Lin residence with Sun Dali and Big Yellow.
Lin Xiu hadn’t told Earl of Ping’an and his wife about being targeted by the Marquis of Yongping’s estate. Telling them would only increase their worry.
He was confident in handling the matter himself.
Moreover, he already had a plan.
The most important thing right now was Xue Ninger’s birthday.
Xue Ninger’s ability was flight, and Lin Xiu was determined to obtain it.
Not just to fulfill his childhood dream of flying. Flight was a special ability among the many unique abilities. Before the fifth awakening, this ability manifested as defying gravity, allowing oneself to fly.
But after the fifth awakening, this ability would undergo a qualitative change.
Specifically, it would change from levitating oneself to levitating all things, from “flight” to “control.”
These were two completely different abilities. If Xue Ninger could awaken her ability five times, it would evolve from the Profound rank “Flight” to the Heaven rank “Control.”
Flight was only a Profound rank ability, but Control was Heaven rank.
Then, she would not only be able to make herself fly but also others.
Although the people of this world didn’t have the concept of “gravity,” they clearly understood the terrifying nature of this ability, or else they wouldn’t have classified it as Heaven rank.
With Lingyin away, he had to cultivate diligently this month, striving for his second awakening, and obtain Xue Ninger’s ability as soon as possible. Otherwise, when Lingyin returned, she would drain all his energy every day, and then he wouldn’t be able to do anything.
To quickly improve his relationship with Xue Ninger, Lin Xiu put a lot of thought into the gift he would give her…
…
Night fell.
Darkness enveloped the Royal Capital. Poor families who couldn’t afford candles had already retired for the night, but the Duke Xue’s residence remained brightly lit.
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Carriages and sedan chairs lined the streets on both sides of the Xue residence, stretching like a long dragon from one end to the other, a magnificent sight.
Today was Duke Xue’s granddaughter, Xue Ninger’s, eighteenth birthday. The extravagance displayed by the Duke’s residence surpassed even the eightieth birthday celebrations of some prominent families.
Those who came to the Xue residence tonight were all prominent figures of the Royal Capital. Many lesser nobles, whom ordinary citizens usually looked up to, weren’t even qualified to attend tonight’s banquet.
The Duke Xue’s family was prosperous. Among the third generation, there were over ten male descendants, but only one girl. Therefore, Xue Ninger had been doted on since birth. Some people took advantage of her birthday banquet to present lavish gifts, currying favor with the Xue family.
“Young Master Wei He of the Marquis of Yongchun’s estate presents a pair of jade ruyi!”
“Young Master Shen Yun of the Marquis of Julu’s estate presents a jade pipa!”
“Miss Chen Peipei of the Duke Chen’s residence presents ten thousand taels of silver!”
…
At the main entrance of the Duke’s residence, the steward in charge of receiving gifts recorded the gifts while announcing them aloud.
Those whose names were called turned around and bowed their hands to the others still in line, then strode inside.
A young man presented his invitation. The steward looked at the name and announced loudly, “Young Master Lin Xiu of the Earl of Ping’an’s residence presents…”
He paused, seeing the young man hadn’t moved, and whispered a reminder, “Young Master, where is your gift?”
Lin Xiu said, “My gift is rather special. I will present it to Ninger personally later.”
The steward didn’t say much about this. Those young men pursuing his young miss liked to do this sort of thing. As long as the invitation was real, he wouldn’t stop them.
However, the son of a mere Third Rank Earl wanting to pursue his young miss was undoubtedly wishful thinking. Although his appearance was indeed unmatched among the young miss’ numerous suitors, his status was too low.
At this moment, a discussion erupted among the guests still queuing at the entrance.
“Earl of Ping’an? Isn’t that a Third Rank Earl? I heard that even the First Rank Earl of Zhongyong wasn’t invited. Where did he get an invitation?”
“I don’t know, maybe he’s a friend of Ninger.”
“No way, how could a friend of Ninger come without a gift?”
“Lin Xiu? Isn’t that the one betrothed to the Zhao family’s legitimate daughter? He’s here too?”
“What? It’s him? Damn, the feud of stealing a wife is irreconcilable!”
…
The banquet hadn’t even begun, but the Xue residence was already bustling with activity.
Lin Xiu walked into the courtyard, looking around, but didn’t see anyone he recognized.
It was no wonder. He hadn’t been in this world long. His only friend was the mysterious Li Bozhang, who claimed to be a commoner from an ordinary family, but Lin Xiu remained skeptical.
How could a commoner be so knowledgeable and familiar with the nobles of the Royal Capital? However, since he didn’t elaborate, Lin Xiu didn’t pry.
His friendship with Li Bozhang was a bond between two sea kings, unrelated to his status.
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As for the other classmates he was acquainted with, they were all Xue Ninger’s simps and had no chance of attending tonight’s banquet. So while others chatted and laughed in groups, he didn’t even have anyone to talk to.
Fortunately, as tonight’s protagonist, Xue Ninger was in the courtyard welcoming guests. Seeing Lin Xiu, she waved to him happily and walked over with small, quick steps.
A group of young men and women surrounded her.
Xue Ninger wore a pale yellow dress today, her face adorned with delicate makeup, neither too heavy nor too light, just right.
Her hair was styled in a Lingyun bun, decorated with numerous ornaments that shimmered under the candlelight, as if she were bathed in a radiant glow.
Undoubtedly, Xue Ninger was the sole focus of the Xue residence tonight.
There were other beautiful women around her, but standing next to her, they all became green leaves setting off the red flower.
Of course, another important reason was that she hadn’t invited Qin Wan’er, Zhao Lingyin, or Princess Minghe to her birthday banquet.
If any of them had come, tonight would have been a competition between two moons.
Of course, it was understandable that Xue Ninger didn’t invite them.
If Lin Xiu were Xue Ninger, he wouldn’t invite them either.
It had to be said, as one of the four beauties of the Unique Ability Academy, Xue Ninger, aside from her family background, possessed unique charms as a woman.
If she weren’t so two-faced, Lin Xiu would be quite willing to be friends with her.
Lin Xiu looked at the approaching Xue Ninger and said with a smile, “Ninger, you look even more beautiful tonight than usual.”
Xue Ninger was secretly delighted. Lin Xiu really knew how to talk.
Everyone she met earlier had complimented her on her beauty tonight. Did that imply she wasn’t beautiful on other days?
Among the countless compliments and praises tonight, only Lin Xiu’s words truly resonated with her.
For some reason, whenever she talked to Lin Xiu, even her most gloomy mood would quickly brighten.
She blushed slightly, feigning shyness. “Oh, stop it…”
Suddenly, a few of the young men around Xue Ninger, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, changed their expressions upon seeing such a handsome young man. One of them said with a forced smile, “Ninger, who is this gentleman? I’ve never seen him before. Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Xue Ninger stood beside Lin Xiu and said to everyone, “This is Young Master Lin Xiu of the Earl of Ping’an’s residence. He’s a very good friend of mine.”
Hearing he was the son of the Earl of Ping’an, everyone relaxed.
They thought he was someone important, but it turned out he was just the son of a mere Third Rank Earl. Such a person wasn’t qualified to be their rival.
Moreover, among the nobles of the Royal Capital, who didn’t know that the son of the Earl of Ping’an was betrothed to the Zhao family’s legitimate daughter? Naturally, he wasn’t competition—wait a minute!
The son of the Earl of Ping’an… wasn’t he the fiancé of the Zhao family’s genius? Was it really him?!
For a moment, everyone felt a mix of complex emotions.
Although they were pursuing Xue Ninger, who didn’t know of Zhao Lingjun?
If they had to choose between Zhao Lingjun and Xue Ninger, they would choose the former without hesitation, but they wouldn’t even have such a choice in their dreams.
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Faced with the goddess of the Zhao family, they felt unworthy.
This guy in front of them, with nothing but good looks, was even less worthy.
But he was indeed Zhao Lingjun’s fiancé.
So they were jealous.
Extremely jealous.
Xue Ninger seemed oblivious to the change in their expressions. She introduced everyone to Lin Xiu one by one. “This is Wei Wenyuan, the second son of the Duke of Wei. This is Qi Qingxiao, the eldest son of the Duke of Qi. This is Chen Peipei of the Duke Chen’s residence, also a good friend of mine…”
Finally, she introduced the last young man. “This is Yang Xuan, the eldest son of the Marquis of Yongping’s estate…”
Lin Xiu had only slightly cupped his hands in greeting to the others, but when Xue Ninger introduced the son of the Marquis of Yongping, he looked up at him, a smile appearing on his lips. “Brother Yang, I’ve heard of you for a long time.”
Looking at Lin Xiu’s warm smile, Yang Xuan felt a chill for some reason.
But the feeling quickly disappeared. If it weren’t for the Zhao family, crushing this person would be no more difficult than crushing an ant. He met Lin Xiu’s gaze and said with a faint smile, “Since you’re a friend of Ninger, you’re naturally a friend of ours. We should look out for each other in the future.”
Lin Xiu smiled meaningfully. “Of course, of course…”
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