Chapter 22: I Don’t Need Your Help

The two young women first bowed politely, then took their seats opposite Li Lin.

Li Lin returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute and looked at them in surprise.

“Please forgive us, Elder Brother Li. Our elder brother could not make it back in time, and our father is occupied with important matters, so only the two of us sisters can receive our honored guest. If there is any inadequacy in our hospitality, we ask for your understanding.”

In Li Lin’s eyes, the one speaking was the younger Han girl. She carried herself gracefully and naturally possessed a certain pride.

Meanwhile, the Hu maiden beside her, who appeared much more mature and poised, was instead acting shy and awkward. She kept her head lowered, seemingly not daring to look at Li Lin too much.

“Since you call me Elder Brother, then I’ll boldly call you Second Sister Huang.”

Li Lin smiled apologetically.

“Then the one beside you must be Eldest Sister Huang.”

He did not know the personal names of these two young women, so this was the best he could do.

Although this form of address seemed somewhat rustic, it was indeed perfectly proper.

Huang Ling raised a hand, and a servant brought over tea, pouring a cup for each of the three.

“Elder Brother, please drink.”

Huang Ling raised her cup with both hands in invitation before taking a sip herself, open and straightforward.

The Hu maiden beside her lowered her head and lightly sipped her tea. Then, sensing Li Lin looking at her, she seemed to grow even more nervous.

“Your little sister is somewhat curious. How did Elder Brother come to know my elder brother?”

Huang Ling was indeed curious. Her own elder brother had always held others in contempt, proud to the core. Yet he alone thought highly of the seemingly ordinary man before her, who appeared exceptional only in appearance. He had even praised him as possessing remarkable bearing. Such an evaluation was not something ordinary people received.

Li Lin thought for a moment.

“That day, I had just become a Spirit Hunter and was wandering through the marketplace when Zijing came looking for me.”

“My elder brother sought you out on his own initiative?”

Huang Ling became even more curious.

“You don’t know the reason?”

Li Lin shook his head.

Huang Ling could only bury that curiosity in her heart and wait to ask her elder brother later.

After that, she chatted with Li Lin.

In truth, she was constantly throwing out questions while Li Lin answered them.

However, because Huang Ling’s social skills were exceptionally high, her tone and wording were extremely appropriate whenever she asked something, preventing any sense of annoyance.

In only about the time it took two incense sticks to burn, Huang Ling had practically figured out all of Li Lin’s background.

Of course, Li Lin was not a fool either. There were certain things he could not reveal.

As for the things he had already said, even if he had not mentioned them, others could discover them with a little investigation.

Throughout the process, that Hu maiden was remarkably well-behaved, quietly sitting and listening.

Most of the time, her gaze rested on Li Lin.

Whenever Li Lin looked back at her, she would panic like a little rabbit and lower her head helplessly.

Tsk... She’s clearly a tall foreign beauty, so why does she possess the gentle temperament of a Han woman?

That contrast truly allowed Li Lin to appreciate her charm.

After chatting for a while, Huang Qi appeared.

Li Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief. If that Second Sister Huang continued probing, she would probably end up asking what sleeping position he had used the previous night.

“Since Elder Brother has returned, my elder sister and I shall return to our rooms first. Being able to converse so pleasantly with Elder Brother has been a great delight.”

Huang Ling bowed slightly, then left with her elder sister.

Huang Qi stepped forward, clasped his hands, and smiled.

“This younger brother has been discourteous. On the way back, I encountered an old woman who had fallen. I helped her up and escorted her home, which delayed me somewhat. Please don’t blame me, Kunge.”

Li Lin’s expression became rather strange.

You think I believe that nonsense?

Meanwhile, Huang Ling brought Huang Qing to the study.

Ordinarily, they were not permitted to enter this place, but this time their father had specifically instructed them to do so.

After knocking on the door and receiving permission, the two entered.

“Ling’er, what are your thoughts on Li Kunge after meeting him today?”

Huang Yan set down the wolf-hair brush in his hand and asked with a smile.

Huang Ling considered the question for a moment.

“He’s alright, I suppose. His speech and conduct aren’t particularly refined, but they don’t give off a crude impression either. Father, stop arranging matchmaking meetings for me. I don’t particularly like him.”

“Why not?”

After a pause, Huang Yan stroked his beard and asked,

“Aside from his lack of ambition, what else don’t you like about him?”

Huang Ling sighed.

“He’s a libertine. While I was chatting with him, he kept looking at Elder Sister, and his gaze often landed on her chest.”

The Hu maiden, Huang Qing, immediately blushed furiously upon hearing this.

Huang Yan, however, burst out laughing.

“I don’t agree with your assessment. He isn’t a libertine.”

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

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

“That... he didn’t...”

At that point, Huang Ling suddenly realized something.

“Could it be that he only looked at Elder Sister?”

Huang Yan nodded.

“Judging by appearance alone, you surpass your elder sister. If Li Kunge were truly a libertine, he would have looked at you the same way. But he didn’t.”

“He’s taken a fancy to Elder Sister!”

Huang Ling finally understood.

“So this matchmaking arrangement was actually for Elder Sister?”

Huang Yan nodded while stroking his beard.

“Since you’ve already made it clear that you don’t fancy him, how could I force you into it?”

Huang Ling unconsciously frowned.

For some reason, she felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Huang Yan looked at his eldest daughter.

“Qing’er, what do you think?”

Blushing deeply, Huang Qing lowered her head and said,

“Your daughter will leave everything to Father’s decision!”

“Good, good!”

Huang Yan was overjoyed.

“It seems your mother and I can finally breathe easy. This matter requires careful planning, but it must also proceed quickly. When your elder brother returns later, I’ll discuss it with him. For now, you two should return to your rooms.”

Huang Qing’s face was red as she prepared to leave.

She reached for her younger sister’s hand but could not pull her along.

Huang Ling said loudly,

“I don’t agree with this!”

Both Huang Yan and Huang Qing were stunned.

“Elder Sister’s status is noble. How can she marry such an ordinary man?”

“Little Sister, I... don’t think I’m noble.”

Huang Qing’s expression was gentle.

“In other people’s eyes, I’m a Hu maiden. My hair is yellow, and my eyes are blue. Those things can never be changed. I’m of a different people.”

Huang Yan sighed.

“Ling’er, stop making trouble. Qing’er is already nineteen years old. In another year, she’ll be twenty. We’ve finally found a suitable match, and the two of them have taken a liking to one another. If you break them apart, it will be nearly impossible to find someone this suitable again in the future. Do you want your elder sister to spend her life alone beside a lamp and Buddha statue, lonely and isolated?”

Those words were rather harsh.

Huang Ling felt wronged after hearing them.

“That’s not what I meant. I just want Elder Sister to marry someone better.”

“What we have now is already the best.”

Huang Yan spoke decisively.

“I know you and your elder sister are close, but no matter how close two people are, one day they must part. Qing’er will marry, and in another year or two, you will marry as well.”

It was rare for Huang Ling to hear her father speak so sternly.

She understood that the matter was already settled and that she could not change it.

Yet she truly felt that Li Lin was not worthy of her elder sister.

After leaving the study, Huang Ling took Huang Qing’s hand and said,

“Elder Sister, don’t worry. I’ll definitely help you. I won’t let you fall into a pit of misery.”

“I don’t need your help!”

Huang Qing pouted.