Chapter 644: Elite Figures Gather!

At dusk, the Lin Family Compound in Tianzhou was brilliantly lit.

The entire courtyard seemed repainted with golden light; from the main gate to the main building, from the garden to the corridors, red lanterns and silk banners hung everywhere, turning the Green Stone Slab path a vivid red.

The courtyards that are usually quiet and tidy were now bustling with voices, guests gathering in groups of three to five to chat and exchange pleasantries.

Servants weaved through the crowd, carrying tea and snacks, busy yet orderly.

The core figures of the Five Great Families of Tianzhou were almost all present.

The Du Family sent Family Head Du Jianchuan, Governor of Tianzhou, a real power figure in the Imperial Northern Border's official circles.

His features were square, his gaze sharp; when he stood there speaking with several officials, those around him involuntarily seemed to shrink by half a head.

The Du Family's standing in Tianzhou is similar to the Xia Family's standing in Jiangnan; although not the wealthiest among the Five Great Families, its official influence is unmatched.

The Qiao Family sent Qiao Zhenyu, Commander of Tianzhou Military Office, who held the entire Tianzhou garrison's military authority in his hand.

He was broad‑shouldered and dressed in civilian clothes.

His relationship with Du Jianchuan was neither close nor distant; upon meeting they nodded to each other, but exchanged no extra words.

Members of the Chen Family and Sheng Family also arrived.

The Chen Family has long cooperated with the Lin Family in port trade, while the Sheng Family is Tianzhou's largest salt merchant; both are wealthy magnates with fortunes of ten thousand strings.

They brought few people, but each was a notable figure within their own family; even without speaking, their presence exuded the aura of a business leviathan.

Besides these four families, members of the Lin Family's Second and Third Branches were also all present.

Lin Zhenshan's second younger brother Lin Zhenhai walked at the front, wearing a dark blue long robe, his features slender, gaze gloomy, a hint of a half‑smile at the corner of his mouth.

Behind him followed several of his own clan members, all dressed splendidly, yet clearly unwilling to be too flamboyant in such a setting.

Third brother Lin Zhenyan walked at the back, slightly plump with a round face, smiling brightly, exuding a non‑confrontational amiability; he nodded and bowed to anyone he spoke with, offending no one.

Lin Zhenhai cast a glance at the courtyard's display, and the smile at his mouth grew colder.

He turned his body aside, lowered his voice, and said to the nearby Lin Zhenyan.

"Elder brother, what kind of stunt is this? Isn't it just Yan Qian seeking a master? Why stir up the whole Tianzhou with so many people?"

Lin Zhenyan smiled but did not reply immediately.

He glanced at the guests already seated, then at the servants still arranging things near the main building, and replied in a voice neither loud nor soft.

"Third brother, who do you think Yan Qian is apprenticing to? Could it be the Grandmaster Physician of the National Medical Hall?"

Lin Zhenhai let out a cold snort, his gaze growing even more shadowed.

"Even if it were the Grandmaster Physician of the National Medical Hall, it wouldn't warrant such a grand display. You still don't understand Elder brother? He loves to deal with this kind of face‑saving stuff."

His voice dropped even lower, carrying a resentment only Lin Zhenyan could hear.

As the head of the Lin Family Second Branch, he has always harbored jealousy toward his elder brother Lin Zhenshan.

In his view, Lin Zhenshan is merely a few months older, and only by leveraging the Lin Family's resources did he become Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

But if he had inherited the Lin Family's resources back then, the family's influence would certainly not be limited to Tianzhou today.

Thus his elder brother is nothing but a drunk and a freeloader.

Lin Zhenyan listened to his second brother's words, his smile still on his face, but a hint of complexity flashed in his eyes.

He neither agreed nor contradicted, merely said lightly.

"Yan Qian is, after all, our Lin Family's legitimate daughter; it's appropriate for her to have some prestige. Moreover, she is valued by several National Hands, and might even be recommended to apprentice under a Grandmaster Physician. If so, Yan Qian would have achieved a great merit for our Lin Family."

Lin Zhenhai's complexion grew even more unpleasant, but he said nothing further.

At that moment, a figure walked over from the crowd.

His stride was neither fast nor slow—it was Governor of Tianzhou Du Jianchuan.

He approached Lin Zhenhai and Lin Zhenyan, clasped his fists in greeting, his face bearing the gentle smile typical of officials.

"Brother Zhenhai, Brother Zhenyan, I hope you have been well."

Lin Zhenhai and Lin Zhenyan were startled simultaneously and hurriedly returned the greeting in panic.

Both bowed with almost identical depth, their voices a bit strained.

"Governor Du, your words are weighty. I am unaware how to properly receive your esteemed presence from afar."

Du Jianchuan waved his hand and began cheerfully.

"Today your Lin Family's display is quite grand; you say the young lady is seeking a master—do you know which Grandmaster Physician she is apprenticing to?"

Those words made both Lin Zhenhai and Lin Zhenyan feel a sudden knot in their hearts.

They knew Du Jianchuan's manner of conduct all too well.

As Governor of Tianzhou, over the years he has been extremely wary of the Lin Family; whenever the Lin Family makes a move, he always inquires.

Now that the Lin Family has caused such a stir, Governor Du is likely even more wary of them.

Lin Zhenhai immediately spoke, his voice quick and urgent, as if eager to clear something up.

"Governor, you see clearly, my niece cannot be presented publicly; it's merely my elder brother's family seeking attention. As for whom she is apprenticing to, the two of us do not know!"

Du Jianchuan, hearing this, gave Lin Zhenhai a half‑smile, half‑serious look.

He naturally knew the two brothers were at odds, but did not expect Lin Zhenhai to be so unabashed.

He did not probe further, merely nodded, then glanced again at the brightly lit windows of the main building, his gaze carrying a hint of contemplation.

"Chairman Lin is in high spirits today, even making me, the Governor, a mere guest. Very well, I shall see what kind of person warrants the Lin Family's massive mobilization."

His words were neither light nor heavy, but to Lin Zhenhai's ears they carried a different flavor.

Lin Zhenhai still wore a smile, but it was nearly slipping away.

At that moment, the main building's grand door was pushed open from inside.

Warm yellow light poured out from within, illuminating the small set of steps at the doorway.

Lin Zhenshan led the way, wearing a brand‑new dark‑red brocade robe, his hair neatly combed, his face flushed with a reddish glow, walking with a breezy stride.

His right hand was linked with Linghu Wan, who wore an embroidered qipao, her makeup delicate, a fitting smile on her face.

Behind them followed Lin Yanqian, dressed in a simple elegant light‑blue long skirt, her hair tied in a simple bun.

The moment the family of three appeared at the main building's entrance, the clamor in the courtyard noticeably lessened by a few points.

Everyone's gazes converged toward that direction.

Lin Zhenshan Standing on the steps, looked around a Circle of the courtyard's black, crowded heads, and the Laughter on his face deepened.

He cleared his throat, and his voice carried far in the night wind, bearing a deliberately restrained Tone that tried to appear composed yet could not hide his joy.

"We are honored by your presence; today the Lin Family holds a banquet, first to arrange my little daughter's apprenticeship. Second, we hope to use this opportunity to introduce to you the background of my little daughter's esteemed mentor."

The sound in the courtyard grew even lower.

Everyone was waiting for his next words.

Lin Zhenshan glanced at Lin Yanqian behind him, then glanced at the still unseen person deep within the main building, whose name he dared not mention lightly, took a deep breath, and his voice rose a few points.

"My little daughter has entered the sect under Kunlun!"

Wow!

When those words were spoken, the seated dignitaries were shocked None!

Kunlun?

Is that the top‑tier cultivation sect?

Isn't the Lin Family daughter studying medicine?

How could such an opportunity arise!