Chapter 114: Bright Bright Sincerity

Faintly from around came a few suppressed chuckles.

Lin Feng's face turned purple as an eggplant, neither standing nor walking, wishing the ground would split open right away so he could dive in.

Just then, the surrounding crowd suddenly seemed to be pushed aside by something, scattering to both sides.

A young woman in a moon-white cheongsam, surrounded by a group of young masters from aristocratic families, walked over slowly.

Her appearance was flawless, fresh and clean, her demeanor excellent, calm and quiet, and she walked without a trace of worldly air.

But as soon as she appeared, the noisy chaos in the venue lowered on its own.

"Lin Feng, what's going on?"

The woman's voice was like cool water flowing over stone—pleasant to hear, but with a force that demanded attention.

Upon seeing the visitor, Lin Feng's earlier arrogance instantly wilted, like a mouse seeing a cat, showing a bit of fear and... a desire to curry favor?

"Sister Yueyao, it's nothing, just a joke with Doctor Zhang."

"A joke?"

Qin Yueyao's gaze lightly swept over Lin Feng and the few guards behind him, then landed on Zhang Jun's face, and finally rested on Lin Xue's icy face for less than a second.

"I don't think it's a joke."

She ignored Lin Feng further, walked straight up to Zhang Jun, and extended her hand—white and slender.

"Qin Yueyao. Pleased to meet you, Doctor Zhang, Miss Lin."

Her hand was a bit cool, smooth and slick, but her fingertips carried a distance that kept people from getting close.

Zhang Jun reached out, lightly touched her hand, and immediately pulled back.

"Zhang Jun."

Lin Xue merely nodded, neither extending her hand nor speaking.

The chill surrounding her seemed to condense a bit more when Qin Yueyao approached.

"Ever since Doctor Zhang arrived in the capital, he's felt wind and rain."

Qin Yueyao withdrew her hand, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth—just right, neither too much nor too little.

"Even Lin Feng of the Lin family has suffered a loss at your hands—looks like the rumors are true."

She spoke gently, like chatting about family matters, yet the information conveyed in her words was not lacking in the slightest.

She knew everything about that little matter in Coastal, including how Zhang Jun had just squeezed Lin Feng earlier.

"Miss Qin, you overpraise me—I only spoke a few truths," Zhang Jun replied indifferently.

"The truth sometimes hits hardest."

Qin Yueyao lifted a glass of red wine and swirled it slowly.

"I've heard Doctor Zhang's medical skill is profound, especially adept at acupuncture—I wonder which master he studies under? In the capital's medical circles, I haven't heard of someone like him."

Here it comes.

They're starting to feel things out.

"Just a bit of rough family craft, not fit for the stage," Zhang Jun chuckled.

"Doctor Zhang is too modest."

Qin Yueyao took a light sip of wine.

"This family craft could make Ever Auspicious Medicine and Hundred Herbs Hall stumble—hardly something crude."

She paused, then shifted the topic naturally.

"Recently there have been some rumors about the Medicine Sect in the capital; I wonder if Doctor Zhang has heard of them? They're said to be a very ancient and mysterious inheritance, quite different from today's medical path."

She seemed to glance at Zhang Jun casually, but was actually catching the slightest changes in his face.

Zhang Jun's heart twitched slightly.

Kun's warning, Old Man Mo's excitement, and those two cool chips……

All the clues point to this Medicine Sect.

The Qin family, too, has set its sights on it.

"I've heard a little," Zhang Jun said without changing expression, "but it's all baseless rumors, not to be taken as truth."

"Rumors aren't necessarily groundless," Qin Yueyao said with meaning, "tomorrow's antique exchange will reportedly feature an artifact related to the Medicine Sect. The Qin family is also quite interested in that."

She looked at Zhang Jun and Lin Xue, extending an invitation.

"I wonder if you'd have the honor to join me tomorrow to take a look? Perhaps we could mutually verify some ideas."

Lin Xue had been standing quietly at the side; just then, her fingers hanging at her side twitched almost imperceptibly.

Those clear, cold eyes fell on Qin Yueyao, holding a hint of inscrutable scrutiny… and… resistance?

Zhang Jun took in all those subtle changes.

"Miss Qin's invitation is our honor," he agreed.

Qin Yueyao's faint smile deepened slightly as she raised her glass.

"Then, see you tomorrow."

She didn't linger, turned, and led her entourage away with graceful poise.

Lin Feng shot Zhang Jun a vicious glance, then slunk away after him.

The surrounding stares lessened, but the invisible pressure in the air grew heavier.

"This young lady of the Qin family is not simple," Zhang Jun whispered to Lin Xue.

Lin Xue didn't respond, merely watching the direction Qin Yueyao disappeared in, the chill at her fingertips ebbing and flowing.

The venue for the antique exchange had been changed to an old courtyard house, the kind not open to the public.

Unlike last night's flashy, noisy club, this courtyard carries an indescribable antique vibe that weighs heavy on the heart.

The courtyard is truly huge—one suite leads to another, covered walkways linking them, the carvings on the pillars and the paintings on the beams show their age, yet the place is kept especially clean; the old blue‑brick flooring is slick and oily, clearly worn smooth by generations of footsteps.

The main hall already had a crowd of people sitting, the tables were set, and a large open space remained in the middle.

Those who can be found here are either the heads of well-known old establishments in the capital, or they are hidden figures lurking behind the scenes who rarely show their faces.

A pleasant sandalwood fragrance drifted in the air, suppressing much of the restless thoughts below.

Qin Yueyao brought Zhang Jun and Lin Xue inside, found an empty table near the host's seat, and sat down.

Seated in the place of honor was a man about fifty, wearing simple Tang-style clothing, looking rather refined; his demeanor exuded steadiness and magnanimity, the mark of someone accustomed to high position.

"This is my father, Qin Xiaotian," Qin Yueyao said, lowering her voice.

Qin Xiaotian lifted his chin toward them as a greeting, then said nothing more.

It looks like he organized today's affair.

"Everyone," Qin Xiaotian spoke, his voice not loud but everyone in the room heard him clearly, "I've invited you all today for the legendary 'Medicine Sect medicinal artifact.' This matter is of great importance, its origins unclear. By the old rule, before we examine the genuine item, each family must first show their 'sincerity,' so everyone can weigh it in their hearts and see who cares most about this."

So-called "sincerity" is just sounding out.

Each family first reveals a bit of its resources, to see who has enough weight and who has great determination.

As soon as his words fell, Lin Feng, who had just suffered a defeat the night before, was the first to stand up.

The arrogance on his face was forced; he waved a hand at the people behind him, and brought forward an exquisite sandalwood box.