"Lin Shu?"
The group looked confused.
The young man explained, "She's that 'lost pearl' the Lin family recently brought back. I saw her once at the family banquet last month."
He turned toward the girl in the pink dress. "Meng Xuerong, if I remember right, hasn't the Huang family been planning a marriage alliance with the Lin family? The one between Huang Yuan and Lin Shu?"
Meng Xuerong nodded, her tone laced with irritation. "Yes. Both sides have already reached an initial agreement. They're just waiting to make it official at the birthday banquet."
"Heh," the young man in blue sneered. "Who would've thought that Huang Yuan's fiancée would be seen riding in a carriage with some strange man—side by side in public?"
His words instantly stirred the group's anger.
Huang Yuan was one of the most renowned geniuses of the Horn Constellation Realm's northern region. Still young, yet already at Insight God, seventh level, he was widely respected among these wealthy heirs.
"What? That Lin Shu's way too shameless!"
"Exactly! Brother Huang Yuan is a man of unmatched talent—she's not even worthy of him!"
Meng Xuerong frowned slightly. "The engagement hasn't been formally announced yet. Strictly speaking, she's not Brother Huang Yuan's fiancée."
She had admired Huang Yuan for a long time. Her dislike toward Lin Shu had already been simmering, and now, hearing that Lin Shu was seen being "improper," her jealousy turned into open displeasure.
"Not yet?" the young man in blue arched an eyebrow. "The birthday banquet is only three days away. The marriage is already settled in all but name. For her to act like this now—it's clear she doesn't care about the Huang family at all."
He turned to a towering, broad-shouldered man behind him. "Song Zhen, you're closest to Huang Yuan. Are you really going to let this slide?"
Song Zhen's face was dark, his body emanating the power of Insight God, ninth level—the strongest among the group.
He snorted coldly. "If what you said is true, I won't let her off easily."
The others immediately joined in agreement.
"Right! Huang Yuan needs to know!"
"She's not fit to be with him!"
The Lin family's ancestral mansion stood on Fengming Mountain, just outside Lin City. Built along the mountain's slope, it covered over hundreds of thousands of acres. A winding bluestone path climbed from the foot of the mountain to the summit, lined with towering ancient trees and jagged rocks. Occasionally, rare birds and spirit beasts could be seen darting through the foliage, giving the place an air of age, majesty, and hidden power.
At this moment, the entire estate was alive with noise and movement.
Guests from all over had arrived to celebrate the Lin family patriarch's birthday. There were nobles in brocade robes, warriors with calm and restrained auras, and merchants carrying ornate gift boxes.
They strolled through carved corridors, chatting and laughing as festive energy filled the air.
Lin Shu led Yang Cheng through the bustling crowd with calm grace. She wore a flowing moon-white dress, her long hair loosely pinned up with a jade hairpin. She had no makeup on, yet her beauty was pure and refined, like a lotus untouched by dust.
Yang Cheng, dressed in a plain long robe, carried himself with quiet confidence. His posture was upright, his expression composed, his presence effortless yet commanding. Though he seemed out of place amid the lively crowd, his mere aura kept others at a respectful distance.
As the two turned a corner, they were suddenly blocked by a pair—a young man and woman.
The girl wore a pink silk gown, her hair adorned with pearls. Her face was charming, though her smile was mocking. It was Lin Shu's cousin, Lin Jiao. Beside her stood their cousin Lin Xiao, clad in fine clothes, his eyes glinting with arrogance as he scanned Yang Cheng from head to toe.
"Well, look who it is—our long-lost family jewel," Lin Jiao said with a sneer, folding her arms across her chest. Her gaze darted between Yang Cheng and Lin Shu. "Lin Shu, I've heard the news. You're about to get engaged to Huang Yuan of the Huang family. So why are you walking around so close to another man? Aren't you afraid of becoming the joke of Lin City?"
Lin Shu frowned slightly, her tone turning cold. "That so-called engagement with Huang Yuan is nothing more than the wishful thinking of a few elders in the clan. I've never agreed to it."
Lin Shu turned slightly and whispered to Yang Cheng, "Your Highness, this is my cousin Lin Jiao, and beside her is my cousin Lin Xiao."
At those words, Lin Jiao's smile instantly vanished. Her tone carried displeasure. "Lin Shu, we're still cousins after all—what kind of attitude is that? Aren't you going to introduce this young man to us?"
Lin Shu replied coolly, "He is my lord."
"Your lord?" Lin Jiao and Lin Xiao both froze, shock flashing across their faces.
They knew Lin Shu had been lost for years, though they had little idea what she'd experienced outside. In their eyes, given the Lin family's prestige, even if Lin Shu sought support, it should be from a prodigy like Huang Yuan, not from this unfamiliar young man who didn't look the least bit extraordinary.
Lin Xiao snorted, mocking, "Lin Shu, did you lose your mind out there? You'll call just any random stray your lord now? Aren't you ashamed to disgrace the Lin family like this?"
The commotion drew the attention of nearby guests. People began to stop and gather, whispering curiously among themselves.
"Her lord? Isn't that title a bit too much?"
"I heard she's the Lin family's long-lost daughter, but I didn't expect she'd come back only to serve some unknown man?"
"Shh! Keep it down. Don't let the Lin family hear you."
Lin Shu ignored them completely. She turned to Yang Cheng and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, let's go."
Without another word, she walked past the two cousins, leading Yang Cheng forward with composed grace.
Lin Jiao glared at their retreating figures, jealousy flashing in her eyes. "Hmph, acting all high and mighty. She's just a wild girl who got lucky and was brought back—does she really think she's some precious jewel of our Lin family?"
Lin Xiao chimed in, "Exactly. She's not worthy of a match with Huang Yuan. The fact that the elders even considered it is already her biggest stroke of luck. And yet she doesn't even appreciate it."
Lin Shu and Yang Cheng continued along the stone path.
On both sides, flower gardens stretched neatly, filled with all kinds of rare blooms releasing faint, refreshing fragrance. Occasionally, servant girls hurried by with trays of fruit or tea. Whenever they saw Lin Shu and Yang Cheng, they stopped to bow respectfully.
Yang Cheng's gaze swept lazily around before he asked, "The Lin family really wants to marry you to that Huang Yuan?"
He had known Lin Shu for many years and regarded her as his most dependable aide.
In his past life of five hundred years, Lin Shu had always remained unmarried. He found it hard to imagine her accepting any kind of marriage arrangement now.
Lin Shu paused briefly, then lifted her head to look at him. Her clear eyes were calm, her voice firm. "Your Highness need not worry. I have no interest in romantic affairs. The only wish I have in this life is to stay by your side and serve you with all my strength."
After a short pause, she added, "It's true that some of the clan elders favor this marriage. They believe an alliance with the Huang family will strengthen our clan's influence. But none of them asked for my opinion, and I have never agreed."
Yang Cheng looked at her serious expression and nodded slightly. "As long as you know where you stand. If the Lin family tries to force your hand, don't hold back."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Warmth flickered in Lin Shu's heart, and for the first time in a long while, a faint smile appeared on her face.
The two of them walked side by side through the shaded corridor. Their figures intertwined in the light and shadow, drawing the attention of countless watching eyes—some curious, some suspicious, others faintly hostile.
"So that's Lin Shu? She's really beautiful… what a pity."
"And that young man beside her—who is he? Never seen him before. Did she really call him her lord?"
"I heard she was wandering outside for years. Maybe she picked up some wild man out there. If the Huang family finds out, they won't take it lightly."
The low murmurs buzzed in the air like a swarm of mosquitoes, but Lin Shu walked on as if she hadn't heard a thing.