Xu Jiawei's voice echoed through the dilapidated orphanage, every word clear and firm with the unquestionable authority of a nation's ruler.
Hearing Xu Jiawei's words, Liu Lin froze completely.
Come on, I'm only six! You're arranging my marriage this early? I remember Xu Jiujiu and Xu Jiawei were more than a decade apart in the original story. She should only be eight or nine now.
Liu Lin wasn't the only one stunned by this. Count Su, who was about to draft the edict, and Wang Wei, standing nearby, were both taken aback.
Count Su had weathered his share of storms, and it took him less than a second to recover. He dropped to one knee.
"This old minister obeys the decree."
"Good. Once we return, announce today's events throughout the nation. I want everyone to know that I will never neglect the descendants of our loyal martyrs."
If Wang Wei had been a transmigrator, he would have started singing:
"By accident, I stumbled into the imperial household..."
In the space of a moment, Liu Lin had gone from an ordinary commoner to a viscount and the Star Luo Imperial Family's future son-in-law. He'd gone straight to the peak of life. Wang Wei could only shed tears of envy.
Xu Jiawei looked at Liu Lin's astonished face, clearly satisfied. Then he smiled and asked, "What, are you unhappy with it?"
"Though my younger sister is three years older than you, her talent is hardly inferior to yours. She inherited the Star Crown, the Martial Soul of the direct line of my Xu family. In terms of talent and background, she's a suitable match for you."
Xu Jiawei knew he was exaggerating his sister's talent a little. But to bind Liu Lin firmly to the chariot of the Xu family, he believed the best choice was to make him family by betrothing him to his sister.
Making him family by betrothing him to his sister was the best choice. Even if danger came in the future, Liu Lin would lend a hand for his sister's sake.
"I'm not unhappy. I just think we're too young, and I've never even met Princess Xu Jiujiu."
Hearing Liu Lin's concerns, Xu Jiawei burst into laughter and waved them away without a care.
"Affection has to be cultivated from childhood. Besides, as the saying goes, love grows with time. I believe that as you spend time together in the future, you'll come to love each other."
Xu Jiawei's words left Liu Lin momentarily speechless. He understood that Xu Jiawei feared a noble title alone might not be enough, and making him a member of the imperial family was the best option.
Liu Lin opened his mouth, but in the end, all he could do was bow and say, "Liu Lin... thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Liu Lin thought that publicly rejecting the decree would be tantamount to slapping Xu Jiawei in the face. He might as well agree for now. He was the one who stood to lose nothing, and if Xu Jiujiu wanted to break off the engagement later, he would agree.
Hearing Liu Lin's response, Xu Jiawei stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, his tone relaxing a little.
"Alright, that takes care of official business. Go say goodbye to the dean or your friends. I'll wait here."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
With that, Liu Lin turned and ran toward the dining hall.
Watching Liu Lin leave, Xu Jiawei turned his gaze to Wang Wei, who had been watching the show from the side.
"Your name is Wang Wei?"
When Wang Wei saw Xu Jiawei look his way and call his name, he immediately dropped to one knee.
"Yes. This humble one is Wang Wei."
"You did well. You helped the empire discover a talent." After saying this, Xu Jiawei gave Count Su a look.
Count Su understood. He took a ring from his Storage Soul Tool and tossed it to Wang Wei.
Seeing the ring fly toward him, Wang Wei instinctively caught it.
"Wang Wei, this is your reward."
Hearing this, excitement flared in Wang Wei's eyes.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Count Su."
Xu Jiawei waved a hand, signaling Wang Wei to rise.
"Now that you've received your reward, you may leave. There's nothing more for you here."
"Yes, Your Majesty. This subordinate will take his leave." Wang Wei got up, bowed to Xu Jiawei and Count Su in turn, then ran out of the orphanage.
Meanwhile, in the orphanage dining hall,
After entering the dining hall, Liu Lin went straight to the kitchen. When he opened the kitchen door, he saw Dean Zhang had just finished stir-frying a dish and was setting it on the table.
When Dean Zhang saw Liu Lin, confusion filled her eyes.
"Liu Lin, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be waiting for Lord Wang?"
"Besides, it's too smoky in here. It's bad for your health. Hurry and get out."
As she spoke, Dean Zhang walked toward Liu Lin and reached out to pull him from the kitchen.
Hearing Dean Zhang's concerned words, Liu Lin's eyes reddened.
In the two years since he'd come to the orphanage, he hadn't wanted to play with the other children because he had memories of his past life. This had led Dean Zhang to think he had psychological problems, so she often looked after him.
"Dean Zhang, I'm leaving." Then Liu Lin told her everything that had just happened.
When Dean Zhang heard what Liu Lin said, she stopped in the middle of trying to pull him out of the kitchen.
But no dejection showed on her face. Instead, she looked delighted. She wiped her hands twice on her clothes, then patted Liu Lin's head.
"Our Liu Lin has made something of himself. The dean knew from the start that you were different from the others. Now you're going to serve your country, and we're not far apart, either. You can come visit anytime."
"And when you're out there, take good care of yourself. The dean won't be by your side all the time anymore. Since you're leaving, at least taste my cooking before you go."
Dean Zhang led Liu Lin out of the kitchen and had him sit at a dining table. Then she brought out a few more dishes and set them in front of him.
Liu Lin dug into the food in front of him. After he finished eating, he waved goodbye to Dean Zhang once more and left the dining hall.
Dean Zhang watched Liu Lin's departing figure and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Liu Lin has grown up, too."
Xu Jiawei stood in the courtyard, flipping through the book he carried with him. When he saw Liu Lin emerge, he put the book away.
"Let's go. We're returning to the imperial palace."
Liu Lin nodded at his words and followed Xu Jiawei out of the orphanage.
Several carriages had been waiting outside the orphanage for quite some time. Count Su stood by one of them. When he saw Liu Lin and Xu Jiawei approach, he bowed.
"Your Majesty, please get in."
Xu Jiawei nodded and led Liu Lin into the carriage.
Once they were seated, Xu Jiawei called out to the people outside. The carriage set off with the others toward the imperial palace in Star Luo City.
As the carriage moved, Liu Lin glanced toward the orphanage gate and saw Dean Zhang standing outside, waving goodbye to him.
Dean Zhang stood hunched over. She hadn't even had time to change her apron before coming to the orphanage gate to see him off.
Liu Lin's eyes reddened. Then he turned his gaze away and stopped looking toward the orphanage.