The Fifty Chapter

Ning Chang'an finally understood the true meaning of Lin Ying's words about a complete transformation.

Lin Ying said coldly, "Sit down, lie back, and lift your head."

Ning Chang'an did as he was told. Lin Ying focused intently, applying a human-skin mask from bottom to top onto Ning Chang'an's face. Then, she used a powder puff to press it down, like a massage, until the mask adhered seamlessly to Ning Chang'an's face. She stopped, observed him for a moment, then took out a brush, eyebrow pencil, tweezers, and a dozen other inexplicable pastes and powders. She began to work her magic on Ning Chang'an's new "face."

The transformation took a full hour. By the time it was complete, it was already time for breakfast. Ning Chang'an picked up the mirror and was startled by his reflection. The person in the mirror was utterly unfamiliar, with a face full of wrinkles, white hair, a messy clump of a beard, and sparse, drooping eyebrows. Yet, it didn't look fake at all. He immediately thought of Old Man Mu, looking like an old butler, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Lin Ying said smugly, "How is it?"

Ning Chang'an praised sincerely, "It's truly masterful... However, the eyes don't seem right. They don't look like an old person's eyes?" He was barely twenty, and his eyes were full of youthful vigor, devoid of any worldly weariness, so naturally, they didn't resemble an old person's.

Lin Ying's eyes lit up. "Really?" she asked. Her hand suddenly trembled, and a cloud of powder shot towards Ning Chang'an's eyes. Ning Chang'an couldn't dodge in time, and the powder immediately fell into his eyes. Ning Chang'an felt a sharp pain in his eyes and couldn't open them. Big tears streamed down his face.

Ning Chang'an, both anxious and angry, exclaimed, "You?!"

Lin Ying said slowly, "Don't worry, it'll be fine in three to five days. Open your eyes and look again, doesn't it look much more convincing now?" When the tears finally stopped, Ning Chang'an slowly opened his eyes. He saw a pair of completely unfamiliar eyes in the mirror, cloudy and lifeless, dull and listless, with an occasional flash of sharpness. Wasn't this the typical eye of a dying old man?!

At noon, a carriage slowly drove out of Lin Manor. Driving the carriage was Ning Chang'an, disguised as the mysterious old butler of Lin Manor, Laifu.

The carriage moved with the wind, gently swaying the small clump of white beard on Ning Chang'an's chin. Ning Chang'an, hunched over and focused, drove the horse, perfectly imitating the appearance of a stout old man without revealing any flaws.

Lin Ying, dressed as a dignified young lady, sat in the carriage with the curtains lowered.

The carriage traveled from the north of the city to the east, at a leisurely pace, until it stopped in front of an exceptionally large and magnificent mansion. It wasn't the residence of some high-ranking official, but a royal temporary palace, Wuchang Residence, a name signifying both literary and martial prosperity.

Ning Chang'an stopped the carriage in the small square in front of the mansion, which exuded a strong royal aura. He slowly alighted from the carriage and lifted the curtain. Lin Ying then gracefully stepped out. Someone was already waiting at the entrance of the Wuchang Residence. Upon seeing Lin Ying disembark, they greeted her enthusiastically. Lin Ying's expression remained cool as she handed a post to the young attendant.

The attendant, bowing slightly, received the invitation with both hands. A quick glance was enough, and he smiled broadly, "So it's the eldest daughter of Lin Manor. Please, come in!" The attendant turned and announced loudly towards the central courtyard, "Miss Lin Ying of Lin Manor has arrived..." The word "arrived" was drawn out with a long tail.

After his announcement, the attendant gestured, indicating for the master and servant to enter. Lin Ying walked straight ahead. Ning Chang'an said to the attendant, "Young man, please take good care of my lady's carriage."

The attendant chuckled, "Certainly, no problem at all!" Another servant emerged and led the carriage towards the stables through a side gate.

As the two stepped through the main gate of Wuchang Villa, a hearty laugh echoed from behind the dragon and phoenix auspicious screen in the central courtyard: "Welcome, welcome! Haha, Miss Lin gracing us with her presence is truly a great honor!"

Before the person appeared, his voice preceded him. A dashing young man emerged from behind the screen, clad in an embroidered dragon brocade imperial robe, wearing black boots, a jade pendant at his waist, and holding a folding fan.

Ning Chang'an's heart skipped a beat. Due to the difference in status between master and servant, he didn't dare look up. Merely hearing the voice, he knew who it was without seeing his appearance. Wasn't this the Young Master Tang who proposed to Liu Ruyan?!

Lin Ying curtsied slightly, performing a full bow. "This commoner, Lin Ying, pays her respects to His Highness, the Third Prince!"

The Young Master Tang was, in fact, the Third Prince of the Great Gan Dynasty, an elder brother to the current Crown Prince, named Tang Yinzheng. The character "Yin" signifies descendants, and the name "Yinzheng" carries the meaning of a son of the righteous path, which is not ordinary.

Tang Yinzheng waved his hand. "Miss Lin Ying, there's no need for such formality. Come, please, let's go inside. Ah, how is your father doing? Is he at home?"

As Lin Ying walked, half a step behind Tang Yinzheng, she replied, "My father has always been unrestrained, wandering the world. As his daughter, I haven't seen him for seven or eight months. To be honest, Your Highness, I don't even know how my father is doing."

Tang Yinzheng nodded. "Is that so! I reside in the imperial capital and rarely get to visit Yongan Prefecture. It's a great pity not to have met such a distinguished person!"

Lin Ying replied, "If fate allows, we will meet eventually. My father is merely a mortal, and not worthy of the Third Prince's constant concern!"

Tang Yinzheng shook his head. "Some people are born different, possessing a unique destiny that no one can afford to underestimate. Although I am a prince, I greatly admire your father and think of him often. It is only natural."

Lin Ying smiled slightly, and the three of them arrived before a grand hall. The hall was called Warm Spring Hall. Its eaves were carved with dragons and phoenixes, the roof ridges bore dragon-shaped finials holding luminous pearls, the pillars were tall, and the doors were massive. Inside, the hall was luxuriously decorated, with every detail meticulously crafted and exhibiting unique ingenuity. At this moment, Warm Spring Hall was already filled with distinguished guests, including most of the young masters and ladies from Yongan Prefecture's various manors. Everywhere one looked, there were refined gentlemen raising their cups in toasts, and elegant ladies conversing softly, their laughter and chatter creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.

Because Lin Ying was personally welcomed by Tang Yinzheng, as she entered Warm Spring Hall, many young masters and ladies cast curious glances at her. Even Ning Chang'an, the old butler Laifu, received some stern stares from certain individuals.

Ning Chang'an had a rough idea that Lin Manor was a rather obscure existence in Yongan Prefecture, not widely renowned and with an unreveemed foundation. Most people likely didn't know its true background. From the brief exchange between Tang Yinzheng and Lin Ying, Ning Chang'an concluded that Lin Ying's father must be an extraordinary figure. Otherwise, Tang Yinzheng wouldn't have personally come out to greet Lin Ying.

Upon entering Warm Spring Hall, Lin Ying took her seat, while Ning Chang'an was assigned to another area, a place specifically for the attendants accompanying these young masters and ladies.

This area was adjacent to Warm Spring Hall, serving as a side hall. It was also laid out with banquets for the attendants to enjoy.

Ning Chang'an knew no one there, so he found a table in a corner, poured himself a cup of wine, and brought it to his nose to sniff. He found the wine to be quite decent. After all, considering Tang Yinzheng's status, even the provisions for his subordinates wouldn't be subpar. As Ning Chang'an brought the wine cup to his lips, about to drink, the attendant's long voice suddenly echoed from the entrance: "Young Master Ning Chang'an of Ning Manor, Young Master Ning Chun'an, and Miss Ning Weiwei have arrived!"

Ning Chang'an's expression froze instantly. The cup of wine halfway to his lips suddenly couldn't be swallowed smoothly.

The words "Ning Chang'an" striking his ears were like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

"Someone is impersonating me, trying to take my place and seize what rightfully belongs to me! Whose scheme is this, so cunning and detestable!"

Ning Chang'an's thoughts raced. He downed the wine in his cup and slowly poured another. Although his heart was turbulent and restless, his outward demeanor remained unchanged – that of a weary, elderly man. Moreover, he was seated in a corner, appearing somewhat unsociable and inconspicuous, so no one paid him any attention.

The spread of dishes on the table was quite lavish. Ning Chang'an, while preoccupied with his thoughts, slowly drank and ate, feeling a strong urge to rush out and see this "Young Master Ning Chang'an." However, he suppressed this impulse, continuing to sip his wine slowly, cup after cup. Several tables in the distance had gathered together, young and old alike, engaged in drinking games and toasting, creating a lively scene of clinking cups and merrymaking.

Inside Warm Spring Hall, the situation was unclear, but such a grand gathering in a city like Yongan Prefecture, known for its strict social hierarchy, was a rare occurrence, happening only once every few years. If it weren't for Tang Yinzheng's meticulous planning, many young masters and ladies would likely never have had the chance to drink at the same table in their lifetime.

Meanwhile, in this side hall, the atmosphere became lively and boisterous as people drank heartily.

There weren't many people like Ning Chang'an, drinking alone; only four or five. Especially the younger attendants, who were not holding back at all, shouting loudly as if losing a drinking game would bring shame upon their own young masters and ladies. They all put their best effort forward, seemingly unafraid of being late for their duties or facing their masters' scolding.

After several rounds of drinks, the most intense phase of drinking games and toasting had passed. The groups of people who had combined their tables seemed to grow tired of drinking with each other and huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. Suddenly, a young man with a face full of acne, wearing a blue cloth shirt and a flat-topped cloth hat, stood up. Holding a full cup of white porcelain wine, he looked towards Ning Chang'an and called out, "Old brother, what's the fun in drinking alone? Come over and have a couple of drinks with us!" In this side hall, there were several tables that were not mingling, but Ning Chang'an was the only one sitting alone.

Ning Chang'an was lost in thought when he suddenly heard someone calling him. Upon listening closely, he realized it was an invitation to drink. He was reluctant and didn't want to draw attention, but reality was often disappointing. He shook his head and politely refused, "This old man is accustomed to solitude and cannot bear the noise. I would only be a nuisance to you all and dampen your spirits!"