Chapter 76: The Unwanted Engagement
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
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Zhao Lingyin walked in front of Lin Xiu, calmly looking at Princess Minghe, and said, “If you have any issues, direct them at me. What kind of skill is it to bully the weak?”
Truth be told, the words “the weak” stung Lin Xiu a little.
But Lingyin was speaking the truth.
Faced with Princess Minghe, what was he if not weak?
Princess Minghe glanced at Zhao Lingyin, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Lin Xiu hurried forward and asked, “Lingyin, when did you return?”
Zhao Lingyin replied, “This morning.”
She glanced at Lin Xiu and asked, “How many Yuan Crystals did you use?”
He hadn’t expected her to see through his breakthrough method at a glance. Lin Xiu said sheepishly, “Ten.”
“Wasteful.” Zhao Lingyin frowned. “Ten second-order Yuan Crystals from Magical Beasts are worth at least one thousand taels of silver. If you had waited for me, you could have successfully awakened in ten days at most.”
Lin Xiu just smiled and said, “A lot has happened during the month you were away.”
Indeed, much had transpired during Lingyin’s absence. If he hadn’t spent the thousand taels of silver to raise his Beast Speech ability by one level, he might have been the one exiled instead of Yang Xuan.
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Zhao Lingyin sneered, “Yes, a lot has happened while I was away. When I came over, I heard people say that you gave Xue Ning’er a very beautiful pair of earrings. I wonder how beautiful they are?”
“This…” Lin Xiu’s heart tightened. Lingyin’s information network was excessively efficient. She had just returned and already knew about him giving earrings to Xue Ning’er. He could only say, “Actually, I originally wanted to give them to you, but then I thought, if I give them to you, you’ll just keep them for your sister, so I changed my mind.”
Zhao Lingyin looked at him, frowning, and said, “My sister is your future wife. Is there a problem with giving your future wife a gift?”
Lin Xiu countered, “But haven’t you already kept two for her? Those were originally gifts I gave to you, but you gave them to someone else. Don’t you think it’s impolite to regift something someone gave you?”
Zhao Lingyin said angrily, “She’s not just anyone…”
Lin Xiu scoffed, “Right, at least *I* wasn’t nearly assassinated because of someone else, almost never seeing you again.”
“Assassination?” Zhao Lingyin’s expression changed. “What assassination?”
Lin Xiu calmly replied, “About half a month after you left, I encountered another assassination attempt. If I hadn’t been lucky, I would have been run through the heart. I’m just a small fry; I’ve never offended anyone. Who would want to kill me again and again?”
Zhao Lingyin looked at him nervously and asked, “Are you alright?”
Lin Xiu said, “I’m fine. I was a bit lucky. The sword only went through my shoulder. But next time, I might not be so lucky.”
Zhao Lingyin shook her head. “There won’t be a next time. I will protect you.”
Lin Xiu sighed and asked, “Do I really have to marry your sister?”
Zhao Lingyin glanced at him and said, “The marriage agreement stands. It concerns the reputation of both families.”
Lin Xiu thought for a moment and tentatively asked, “When the two grandfathers arranged the marriage, we weren’t even born. They just said our two families should be united by marriage. Is there a possibility, I mean, *if*, if I married another daughter of the Zhao family, wouldn’t that also count as a union?”
“Another daughter?” Zhao Lingyin thought, then frowned and said, “Besides me and my sister, the Zhao family has no other daughters. Who are you talking about?”
Lin Xiu waved his hand and said, “Nothing, forget I said anything…”
The walk from the Arcane Arts Academy back to the Lin residence was short, but Zhao Lingyin still insisted on escorting Lin Xiu home.
Walking side by side with Lin Xiu on the street, Zhao Lingyin suddenly said, “Stay away from Xue Ning’er from now on.”
Lin Xiu asked, “Why?”
Zhao Lingyin said exasperatedly, “Why are you so dense? Can’t you really see what Xue Ning’er is up to?”
Lin Xiu feigned surprise. “Up to what?”
Zhao Lingyin gritted her teeth. “You are my sister’s fiancé. If you are captivated by Xue Ning’er, what will others think of my sister? Do you think Xue Ning’er likes you? She’s just using you. You can’t even see that; you deserve to be played around with.”
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With this, Lingyin thought Lin Xiu was underground, but he was actually in the atmosphere.
Between him and Xue Ning’er, there was indeed someone using the other, and indeed someone being played. But that someone wasn’t Lin Xiu.
Although Lin Xiu now called her “Ning’er” so affectionately, after he got what he wanted, hehe…
Of course, this reason couldn’t be told to Lingyin.
In front of her, Lin Xiu still had to pretend to be an innocent, naive young man. He said with surprise, “Ah, no way, how could you think that? We are just good friends. Ning’er isn’t that kind of person…”
Zhao Lingyin’s chest heaved; she was about to be angered to death by Lin Xiu.
These men, only seeing Xue Ning’er’s beauty, were completely unaware of her methods. Perhaps one day she would sell them, and they would still help her count the silver.
She was about to expose Xue Ning’er’s true colors to Lin Xiu when her expression suddenly changed. She abruptly turned around, and at the same time, the surrounding ground began to rapidly freeze.
The ice avoided most pedestrians, except for an old beggar.
The ice instantly reached his feet and then spread upwards. Within two breaths, the old beggar was frozen into a statue of ice.
Zhao Lingyin shielded Lin Xiu behind her and said in a deep voice, “This person has been following us since we left the Arcane Arts Academy. Stay behind me, don’t stray.”
Seeing this scene, passersby scattered in alarm. A trace of gold suddenly appeared on the ice-covered old man.
The gold quickly spread throughout his entire body, turning him into a golden man. Then, the golden man moved his limbs, shattering the surrounding ice.
In that instant, a peddler carrying a shoulder pole not far behind the old beggar suddenly pulled out the pole and stood beside the old man. The pole was made of fine steel, and the mere act of pulling it out created a ripping sound in the air. It was undoubtedly infused with True Qi.
This peddler was clearly a martial arts expert of considerable strength.
Zhao Lingyin’s face changed slightly. She immediately said to Lin Xiu, “They have accomplices. You go!”
As her voice fell, an ice spear condensed in her hand, and she confronted the two, the battle about to begin.
This scene, seemingly long, actually transpired in a fleeting moment. When Lin Xiu reacted, he hurriedly said, “Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! They are secret agents sent by His Majesty to protect me. They’re our own, our own…”
Zhao Lingyin was taken aback. “Are you telling the truth?”
Lin Xiu said helplessly, “Of course it’s true. Which assassin would be audacious enough to attempt an assassination here?”
This was the main street of the East City, with the Imperial Palace just a few hundred meters ahead. Guards patrolled every few steps; even Heaven-rank experts wouldn’t dare cause trouble here, let alone two small-time assassins.
Almost simultaneously with the confrontation, a dozen armored figures rushed towards them from not far away. The patrolling Imperial Guards surrounded the beggar and the peddler; any sudden move would result in immediate execution.
The two immediately took out tokens from their waists and tossed them to the captain of the guard. The old beggar said, “Secret Detective Division on official business. This doesn’t concern you. Carry on with your patrol.”
The captain carefully examined the tokens, then stepped forward and presented them back with both hands, saying, “My apologies.” He then led his men away.
The Secret Detective Division reported directly to His Majesty and often carried out top-secret missions. They only needed to show their identification and were not required to disclose the content of their missions.
The old beggar then approached Lin Xiu with a surprised look. “Boy, how did you know we were protecting you?”
Lin Xiu smiled. “Chief Steward Zhu informed me that there would be secret agents protecting me closely during this time.”
The old beggar asked, puzzled, “When did you discover us?”
Lin Xiu replied, “The first day you came to the Lin Residence.”
The old beggar was even more confused. “You knew we were from the Secret Detective Division on the first day?”
Lin Xiu shook his head. “I wasn’t sure at first, but the pancakes made by this agent were really, *really* special, making it hard not to be suspicious, so…”
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Hearing this, the old beggar glared at the peddler, saying angrily, “I told you to change your identity, but you just wouldn’t. Discovered on the first day, what a disgrace to the Secret Detective Division!”
“You’re no better! Weren’t you also discovered while tailing someone? I told you not to follow so closely. You said you knew your limits. You have no limits!”
…
The two began to argue in the street. Lin Xiu and Zhao Lingyin ignored them and continued walking towards the Lin Residence.
On the way, Lin Xiu asked curiously, “Lingyin, how did you conjure that spear just now?”
He had to admit, her summoning an ice spear out of thin air looked very cool. Lin Xiu wanted to learn it too; the image was just so stylish.
Zhao Lingyin glanced at him. “Using ice as a weapon requires a high degree of control over one’s abilities. After you awaken again, you can slowly learn, and I’ll teach you then.”
Back at the Lin Residence, Baron Ping’an and his wife were delighted by Lingyin’s arrival.
After the initial pleasantries, Zhou Jun paused for a moment before saying, “Lingyin, have your parents also returned to the Royal Capital?”
Zhao Lingyin nodded. “Yes, I came back with them this morning.”
Baron Ping’an and his wife exchanged glances. Zhou Jun continued, “Lin Xiu’s father and I plan to visit the Zhao Residence today. Lingyin, please inform your parents when you return.”
Zhao Lingyin nodded. “Alright, I’ll go back and tell them now.”
After Lingyin left, Lin Xiu looked at his parents and asked, “Father, Mother, are you planning to go to the Zhao Residence to break off the engagement?”
Zhou Jun nodded. “Your father and I have been considering this for a long time. Whether it’s the Lin family’s reputation or the Zhao family’s reputation, neither is more important to us than your safety. We don’t ask for you to achieve great things; we just want you to live a safe and happy life.”
Warmth surged in Lin Xiu’s heart. He asked with a smile, “Should I go with you?”
Zhou Jun shook her head. “Your father and I will go. You stay home. It’s better for the younger generation not to be involved in these matters.”
Lin Xiu thought for a moment. “I should still go with you. After all, the reason for breaking off the engagement lies with me. It would be more convincing if I went with you.”
They considered this for a moment and felt that Lin Xiu had a point. About half an hour later, the family of three boarded a carriage and headed towards the Zhao Residence.
The Zhao Residence, a First-Rank Marquis Residence, was also located in the East City, but some distance from the Lin Residence.
After about fifteen minutes, the carriage stopped in front of the Zhao Residence. After Sun Dali informed the gatekeeper, several figures personally came out to welcome them.
Lin Xiu recognized Lingyin’s father, but the woman beside him was a stranger. She must be Lingyin’s mother. Although the traces of time were visible on her face, she must have been an undeniable beauty in her youth.
Of course, Madam Zhao was still beautiful now, but with a gentle and virtuous beauty. Compared to her mother’s gentleness, Lingyin was too cold and aloof. Based on first impressions, Lin Xiu even wondered if Lingyin was adopted.
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Marquis Wu’an and his wife warmly welcomed the three into the residence. Upon entering, Lin Xiu discovered that the Zhao Residence was far more imposing than the Lin Residence, with at least seven or eight courtyards and numerous servants. This was a First-Rank Marquis Residence, one of the families standing at the peak of power in the Xia Dynasty.
After entering the main hall and taking their seats, the usual pleasantries were exchanged.
After a while, Zhou Jun finally broached the main topic. “My husband and I came to your esteemed residence today regarding the marriage agreement between Lin Xiu and Lingjun.”
Marquis Wu’an set down his teacup and smiled. “Indeed, Lin Xiu and Lingjun are no longer children. Our original plan was to have them married as soon as Lingjun returned to the Royal Capital.”
Zhou Jun shook her head. “Marquis, you misunderstand. The Zhao family is now a First-Rank Marquis Residence, while my Lin family has long since declined. We truly dare not climb so high. It would be best to cancel the marriage agreement.”
Marquis Wu’an was stunned for a moment, then said, “Madam, what are you saying? My Zhao family is not one to chase after power and influence. Since we have already agreed to this marriage contract, we will certainly not go back on our word. You can rest assured on this point.”
At this point, Baron Ping’an, Lin Ting, finally spoke, “We naturally know the Zhao family’s integrity. But to be frank, in the past two months, Xiu’er has been assassinated twice, nearly losing his life a few days ago. Lingjun is a celestial maiden, and countless families in the Royal Capital wish to forge marriage alliances with the Zhao family. The Lin family truly cannot afford to offend them. If this marriage contract is not canceled, who knows how many more assassinations there will be…”
Marquis Wu’an’s expression turned serious. He looked at Lin Xiu, who was standing to the side, and asked, “Assassination… Is Nephew alright?”
Lin Xiu smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern, Uncle Zhao. I was lucky last time; the sword missed any vital points. I am now fully recovered.”
Marquis Wu’an was silent for a moment, then looked up at Baron Ping’an and his wife. “I understand your parental concerns, but to be honest, this marriage is no longer something our two families can control.”
Zhou Jun asked, puzzled, “Why is that?”
Lin Ting’s expression changed as if he realized something. “Could it be…”
Marquis Wu’an nodded. “Indeed. This is His Majesty’s will. His Majesty hopes that Lin Xiu and Lingjun will be married soon.”
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