Chapter 22: I Don

Two young girls bowed in greeting, then sat down opposite Li Lin.

Li Lin returned the bow, looking at them with slight surprise.

“Young Master Li, please forgive us—my elder brother was unable to return in time, and our father is occupied with urgent matters, so my sister and I must entertain our esteemed guest. If we have been lacking in any way, please accept our apologies.”

In Li Lin’s eyes, the one speaking was the younger Han girl, composed and naturally proud.

Yet the Hu woman beside her, who seemed so poised, now appeared shy and awkward, her head bowed, as if she dared not even glance at Li Lin.

“Since you call me Young Master, I’ll boldly address you as Huang Ermei.” Li Lin smiled slightly apologetically: “Then this lady beside you must be Huang Damei.”

He didn’t know their given names, so this was all he could do.

Though the term sounded a bit rustic, it was still a proper form of address.

Huang Ling raised her hand, and a servant brought tea, pouring for all three.

“Young Master, please drink,” Huang Ling raised her cup with both hands, then took a small sip, calmly and gracefully.

The Hu woman beside her lowered her head and sipped lightly; when she sensed Li Lin watching her, she grew even more nervous.

“I’m curious—how did you come to know my elder brother?”

Huang Ling was genuinely curious: her elder brother was always haughty, proud to a fault, yet he held this man—plain in every way except his looks—in unusually high regard, even praising him for his bearing. Such praise was not given lightly.

Li Lin thought a moment, then said: “That day, I had just become a Spirit Hunter, strolling through the market, when Zi Jing approached me.”

“Your brother approached you?” Huang Ling was even more intrigued: “You don’t know why?”

Li Lin shook his head.

Huang Ling tucked her curiosity away for now, planning to ask her elder brother later.

After that, they fell into casual conversation.

Actually, she kept asking questions, and Li Lin kept answering.

But Huang Ling had high emotional intelligence—her wording was always appropriate, never causing offense.

Within roughly two incense sticks’ time, she had nearly uncovered Li Lin’s entire background.

Of course, Li Lin wasn’t foolish—he kept quiet about what he couldn’t reveal.

What he had said, even if unspoken, could easily be verified.

Throughout this, the “Hu woman” sat quietly, listening.

Her gaze mostly rested on Li Lin; when he looked her way, she flinched like a startled rabbit, lowering her head in flustered confusion.

Hmph… she’s a tall foreign beauty, yet why does she carry such a gentle Han woman’s grace?

This contrast truly gave Li Lin a sense of her charm.

After a while, Huang Qi appeared.

Li Lin exhaled in relief—if Huang Ermei kept probing, she’d soon ask what position he’d slept in last night.

“Since our elder brother has returned, my sister and I will retire to our chambers. It was a pleasure speaking with Young Master.”

Huang Ling bowed slightly, then led her elder sister away.

Huang Qi stepped forward, clasped his fists, and smiled: “My apologies, Young Master—I encountered an old woman who fell on the road. I helped her up and escorted her home, which delayed me. Please don’t hold it against me, Kun Ge.”

Li Lin’s expression turned strange… I’m supposed to believe that story?

On the other side, Huang Ling brought Huang Qing to the study.

Normally they weren’t allowed here, but their father had specifically instructed them to come.

They knocked, received permission, and entered.

“Ling’er, what are your thoughts on Li Kun Ge today?” Huang Yan set down his brush and smiled.

Huang Ling thought a moment, then said: “He’s… fine. His manners aren’t refined, but he’s not crude either. Father, please stop arranging matchmakings for me—I don’t like him.”

“Why?” Huang Yan paused, stroking his beard: “Aside from his lack of ambition, what else do you dislike about him?”

Huang Ling sighed: “He’s a lecher. While talking with me, he kept staring at my elder sister—and his gaze often lingered on her chest.”

The “Hu woman,” Huang Qing, blushed furiously at this.

Huang Yan burst out laughing: “I disagree—you’re wrong about him.”

“What did I say incorrectly?” Huang Ling asked.

“Did he look at your elder sister the same way he looked at you?”

“No… he didn’t…” Huang Ling suddenly realized: “So he only looked at my sister?”

Huang Yan nodded: “In looks alone, you surpass your elder sister. If Li Kun Ge were truly a lecher, he’d look at you the same way… but he didn’t.”

“He’s taken with my sister!” Huang Ling understood: “So this matchmaking was meant for her?”

Huang Yan nodded, stroking his beard: “You already made it clear you weren’t interested. Would I force you?”

Huang Ling frowned unconsciously; for some reason, she felt a strange unease in her chest.

Huang Yan turned to his eldest daughter: “Qing’er, what do you think?”

Huang Qing, blushing, lowered her head: “I leave it entirely to Father’s judgment.”

“Excellent!” Huang Yan beamed: “Finally, your mother and I can breathe easy. This matter requires careful planning—and haste. When your elder brother returns, I’ll discuss it with him. For now, return to your chambers.”

Huang Qing blushed and rose to leave, reaching for her younger sister’s hand—but the girl didn’t move.

Huang Ling spoke loudly: “I don’t agree to this!”

Both Huang Yan and Huang Qing froze.

“My sister is of noble status—how can she marry such an ordinary man?”

“Little sister, I… don’t feel noble,” Huang Qing said gently. “To others, I’m a Hu woman—my hair is yellow, my eyes are blue. These things can’t be changed. I’m an outsider.”

Huang Yan sighed: “Ling’er, don’t be childish. Qing’er is already nineteen—next year she’ll be twenty! We’ve finally found a suitable match, and they’ve taken to each other. If you break this up, you’ll never find another so well-suited. Do you want your sister to spend her life alone, with only a lamp and a Buddha?”

The words were harsh. Huang Ling felt hurt: “That’s not what I meant. I just want my sister to marry someone better.”

“This is the best,” Huang Yan said firmly. “I know you love your sister deeply—but even the strongest bonds must one day part. Qing’er will marry. In a year or two, so will you.”

Huang Ling had rarely heard her father speak so sternly. She understood: the matter was settled. She could not change it.

Yet she truly believed Li Lin was unworthy of her elder sister.

After leaving the study, Huang Ling took Huang Qing’s hand: “Sister, don’t worry—I’ll help you. I won’t let you fall into misery.”

“I don’t need you to help!” Huang Qing pouted.

(End of Chapter)