Jumping Clown

How to describe this person?

He was, to put it mildly, flamboyant. Extremely flamboyant.

Bai Yan had been in Yongtang for two years and had seen plenty of wealthy young masters and arrogant second-generation heirs of rich families on the streets.

But none of them were as ostentatiously flashy as the man before him.

His clothes were garishly colored, a riot of reds and greens that hurt the eyes. Most absurdly, he wore a green hat adorned with a bright red flower.

It was both tacky and eye-catching, as if he were screaming to the world that his family had too much money.

In Yongtang City, this was the first time Bai Yan had ever seen such a bizarre outfit.

"Nephew Zhen Xiaoren pays his respects to Uncle Ye. Is Uncle Ye in good health?"

The young man swaggered into the private room, offered a perfunctory cupped-hand salute to Ye Youcai, then turned to Ye Lingdang. A flicker of greed and lewdness crossed his eyes before he put on a smile he clearly thought was charming.

"Miss Lingdang, it's been a while. This humble scholar, Zhen Xiaoren, offers his greetings."

Upon seeing the young man, Ye Youcai's expression instantly darkened. He spoke coldly, "Nephew Zhen, what is the meaning of this? Can't you see I'm entertaining a distinguished guest?"

"To barge in like this, showing such disrespect – is this how your father taught you!"

Ye Youcai made no attempt to hide his disgust for the young man, scolding him without mercy.

Ye Lingdang also looked utterly repulsed by the man. She simply turned her head away, refusing to even look at him.

Despite Ye Youcai's angry reprimand, Zhen Xiaoren acted as if he hadn't heard a word. He continued to smile and cup his hands in greeting. "I heard that Uncle was entertaining guests here, so I specifically rushed over to pay my respects."

"I heard that Miss Lingdang caught a cold a few days ago. I specially bought some tonics to bring as a gift. Please accept them, Miss Lingdang."

With that, Zhen Xiaoren waved his hand, and the two guards behind him quickly brought forward the gift boxes.

Ye Youcai didn't even glance at the gift boxes. "My Ye family isn't lacking in these trivial matters. Nephew, you should take them back."

"You've seen the person now, so please withdraw. This old man still has a distinguished guest to entertain."

"A distinguished guest? Is it him?"

Zhen Xiaoren looked at Bai Yan, his face full of contempt.

"Uncle, are you joking with your nephew? This person is just a young brat, how could he possibly be a distinguished guest?"

"Or perhaps Uncle has been deceived by this person?"

"Shut up!"

Ye Youcai slammed the table, roaring, "Zhen Xiaoren, you are too rude!"

"Do I need to explain to you who I'm entertaining as a distinguished guest? Get out immediately!"

Facing Ye Youcai's furious roar, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Zhen Xiaoren's eyes, but outwardly, he still smiled. "Uncle, please don't be angry. I'm only looking out for your best interests."

"There are many swindlers in Yongtang City these days. Some specifically target wealthy families like yours, disguising themselves as scholars or officials to deceive people. I'm just afraid you'll be tricked."

"After all, we'll soon be family. It's only natural for me to consider your well-being."

"Shut your mouth! Who's family with you!"

Ye Youcai was so angry his beard was trembling. "My Lingdang already has a fiancé. We will be holding the wedding soon. Don't bother her again from now on!"

"Also, this is Lord Bai from the Imperial Guard, definitely not some con artist!"

"What? She has a fiancé?"

Zhen Xiaoren's eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing this, his expression changing drastically.

He had only registered Ye Youcai's first statement, completely ignoring the latter part.

"Who? Who is Lingdang's fiancé? How come I don't know?"

Zhen Xiaoren clenched his fists, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. "Uncle Ye, you're not just making up some lie to placate me, are you?"

"What are you, that I would need to lie to you?"

Ye Youcai, enraged, laughed despite himself. He pointed to Bai Yan beside him. "This is Lingdang's fiancé!"

While Ye Youcai was dealing with Zhen Xiaoren, Bai Yan had been quietly drinking and eating. Ye Lingdang was very thoughtful; she refilled Bai Yan's wine when she saw it was empty.

Bai Yan had no interest in the obnoxious guy. He'd rather spend time getting to know his fiancée than watch a flamboyant dandy make a scene.

If his father-in-law needed him to step in, Bai Yan would.

Since he hadn't said anything, Bai Yan wouldn't steal his thunder and would give his father-in-law plenty of face.

Ye Lingdang only had eyes for Bai Yan, completely ignoring Zhen Xiaoren.

Seeing this, Zhen Xiaoren's eyes turned red with anger:

"This brat is Lingdang's husband? What a joke!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"He looks like a penniless nobody. What qualifications does he have to marry Lingdang?"

"The clothes he's wearing aren't even worth as much as one meal I'd have!"

Zhen Xiaoren felt indignant, gritting his teeth in anger.

He had been coveting Ye Lingdang for more than a day or two.

He wasn't just after Ye Lingdang's beauty, but also the Ye family's fortune.

If he could marry Ye Lingdang, he would not only win a beautiful woman but also gain immense wealth – a win-win situation.

He absolutely would not allow anyone to take what he considered his!

"Guards, break this kid's legs and throw him outside!"

"A toad wanting to eat swan meat, and in a place like this!"

Zhen Xiaoren roared, and the four guards behind him immediately stepped forward.

Ye Youcai slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Zhen Xiaoren and shouting angrily:

"Zhen Xiaoren, what do you think you're doing! Harming someone in broad daylight, you have some nerve!"

Bai Yan grabbed Ye Youcai's sleeve and said calmly:

"Father-in-law, please calm down."

"As for this kind of spoiled brat, your son-in-law has plenty of ways to deal with him."

The atmosphere had reached this point; it was time for him to step in. If he didn't act now, it would make him seem weak and easily bullied.

Bai Yan looked at the four charging guards, slapped the tabletop, and the four chopsticks on it jumped up in response. He then waved his sleeve, and the four chopsticks instantly turned into sharp arrows, flying out with a whistling sound!

With a few whooshing sounds, the four guards were sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the corridor outside the door.

The four men clutched their thighs and let out screams.

Everyone looked and saw that the guards' thighs had been pierced by the chopsticks, with blood pooling on the ground.

"You... what do you want to do!"

"How dare you lay a hand on someone!"

Seeing Bai Yan casually send his four guards flying, Zhen Xiaoren panicked. He retreated in fear.

He never expected that this seemingly frail and poor young man before him possessed such powerful martial arts.

"You just ordered someone to break my legs. Now I'm breaking yours. I think that's only fair, right?"

Bai Yan held his wine cup, looking at him with a half-smile.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Do you know who my cousin is!"

Zhen Xiaoren forced a calm demeanor, shouting with a fierce but cowardly roar.

"Oh? Are you going to pull rank now?"

Bai Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, smiling with amusement.

"Then tell me, who is your cousin? What kind of high-ranking official is he in the court?"

Seeing that he seemed to be taken aback, Zhen Xiaoren became arrogant again, putting his hands on his hips and saying:

"My cousin is a Brigade Leader of the Imperial Guard! If you dare to touch me, you're slapping the face of the Imperial Guard!"

"You know the Imperial Guard, right? They are the Emperor's personal army. Harming an Imperial Guard is considered treason, punishable by the extermination of three generations of your family!"

"Well, are you scared now!"

"If you're scared, then kneel down and kowtow to me. Perhaps I can spare you!"

Zhen Xiaoren was shamelessly arrogant, using his cousin's status as a shield.

He failed to notice that after he finished speaking, the air in the room suddenly became eerily quiet.