C56 Unexpectedly Lin Miaoran

"Chu Yan?" Lin Miaoran uttered without a hint of interest in her tone.

After mentioning his name, she closed her eyes once more to meditate.

Yet, Fu Rui seemed to have anticipated Lin Miaoran's lack of reaction.

With a giggle, she knelt beside Lin Miaoran, teasing, "Miss, don't you want to know? After all, he's your betrothed. Even I would have to address him as 'Young Master' in your presence."

"My consent is required for it to matter," Lin Miaoran replied, her expression unchanging, her voice even.

Despite her stoic facade, Fu Rui knew the young miss cared deeply about this matter, perhaps more than anyone else.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have fled home upon learning that an unseen husband was coming to call, seeking refuge in the ruins of the old town to avoid the situation.

For a moment, Fu Rui simply watched Lin Miaoran with an amused smile.

Eventually, Lin Miaoran could no longer bear Fu Rui's gaze and opened her eyes, resignedly asking, "Fine, what about him?"

"He gave Lin Liqiang a thrashing," Fu Rui blurted out.

"Is that supposed to be big news?" Lin Miaoran shook her head in disappointment. "I may not have met Chu Yan, but for an in-law to come into the Lin family and assault one of our own shows his volatile nature and lack of understanding. Surely, my father must have sent him packing."

"Not at all," Fu Rui said, clapping her hands with delight as if she had expected this response. "Far from being reprimanded, the Patriarch rewarded him with two thousand Spirit Money, allowed him to select a martial skill from the Martial Skill Pavilion, and even bestowed upon him the small courtyard where Lin Liqiang used to live."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Lin Miaoran's face, well aware that Fu Rui was poking fun at her.

"Fu Rui, you mustn't—"

But Lin Miaoran was cut off by Fu Rui's mischievous laughter.

"Understood, Miss. It's Chu Yan, always Chu Yan. I won't mix it up again. But let's move on from that. Can you guess why the Patriarch didn't scold Chu Yan, and instead chose to reward him in the council hall in front of the clan's elders? You're unaware, Miss, but I heard the Deputy Chief was so furious today that his mouth went askew, and he needed to be spoon-fed at dinner!"

Imagining Lin Chongzhi's amusing way of eating with his mouth askew, Fu Rui couldn't help but giggle and collapse onto Lin Miaoran in a fit of laughter.

Lin Miaoran pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "I can't figure it out, but if father made that decision, he must have his reasons. Does that mean Chu Yan was justified in hitting Lin Liqiang?"

"Absolutely," Fu Rui managed to say, straightening up and stifling her laughter. "I heard Lin Liqiang tried to snatch Chu Yan's weapon, prompting Chu Yan to strike back hard. He didn't just give Lin Liqiang a beating then; he also knocked him to the ground with a chair in front of everyone at the council hall."

A thoughtful expression flickered in Lin Miaoran's eyes. "So, he's got some backbone. But what's really surprising is that he managed to defeat Lin Liqiang."

"Even you didn't see that coming, did you, Miss?" Fu Rui teased with a smile. "And there's more. I've heard that Chu Yan has advanced to the fourth level of the True Martial Realm."

"Hmm?" A spark of interest lit up Lin Miaoran's eyes as she adopted a more serious demeanor. "If I'm not mistaken, Chu Yan is the same age as me, sixteen. Reaching the fourth level of the True Martial Realm at sixteen is certainly impressive. He's a prodigy here in Evergreen Town. But that alone wouldn't be enough for father to reward him so generously."

At this, Lin Miaoran cast a sidelong glance at Fu Rui, who was still chuckling like a mischievous fox, and huffed, "Is there more you're not telling me?"

"Young Miss is perceptive," Fu Rui sang out, bowing dramatically before continuing, "The next bit is the real bombshell I need to share with you. You might want to brace yourself."

Seeing the unusual seriousness on Fu Rui's face, Lin Miaoran's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"

"Chu Yan, he's mastered Inscription. The very weapon Lin Liqiang was after has been engraved with an inscription by Chu Yan himself," Fu Rui revealed.

"Inscription!" Lin Miaoran inhaled sharply, her eyes widening in astonishment.

Fu Rui nodded with satisfaction at Lin Miaoran's reaction, adding, "And that's not all. Master Li He from the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce even wrote a personal letter to the Deputy Chief, affirming that Chu Yan is his friend and vouching for the quality of the inscription."

"What? Master Li He from the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce is going to personally vouch for him?" Lin Miaoran's voice shot up in disbelief.

"Miss, please, stay calm! You possess the Pure Jade Body, renowned for its ability to control emotions," Fu Rui implored, trying to soothe her visibly shaken mistress.

"Fu Rui, are you absolutely sure you're not deceiving me?" Lin Miaoran demanded, her gaze intense and unwavering as she fixed it on her maid.

Fu Rui nodded vigorously. "I wouldn't dare to mislead you. Many witnessed today's events in the council hall. Despite the Deputy Chief's gag order, I'm afraid the news has already spread throughout the entire Lin family."

Lin Miaoran regarded Fu Rui for a moment longer before abruptly sitting down cross-legged, closing her eyes to meditate. Her voice regained its usual calm composure, "But what of it? It doesn't change the fact that I detest him."

"Miss—" Fu Rui's voice trailed, "You haven't even met the young master yet. How can you say you dislike him? It's clearly the Old Master's archaic practice of betrothal that you despise."

"What would you know, you naive girl?" Lin Miaoran scoffed, her lips curling into a cold smirk.

At fifteen or sixteen, a young girl's heart is ripe for romance, filled with idealistic dreams about the opposite sex. Lin Miaoran was no exception. Yet, her grandfather, Lin Xiao, had decreed that she was already betrothed and that her intended would soon arrive at the Lin household to wed her. The very thought was intolerable to the proud Lin Miaoran. How could others dictate whom she should love?

Her resentment towards the arranged marriage extended to Chu Yan, whom she had never met, and she found herself disliking him by association.

"I've seen Chu Yan's portrait," Lin Miaoran added dismissively, "It's just as I expected."

But the tales of his prowess in Inscription, his defeat of Lin Liqiang in public, and the praise from Master Li He seemed incongruent with the frail-looking boy in the portrait.

Reading her mistress's skepticism, Fu Rui smiled slyly. "Miss, I've heard that Chu Yan is nothing like his portrait. Just today, there were whispers about him—"

Fu Rui drew out her words, deliberately holding back.

"What about him?" Lin Miaoran's eyelids lifted in inquiry.