Gift Presentation

Gift Presentation

The spacious living room had already been set with tables laden with delicacies, pastries, fine dishes, wine, and seasonal fruit. Several pretty maids were there to pour tea and wine.

Lian Yunbi led Zhang He inside, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Those who had been curious about whom she was waiting for were astonished as soon as they saw Zhang He.

"Who is that? How could he get the eldest daughter of the Lian Family to greet him personally at the door?"

"You don't know? He's Zhang He, the top scorer in this year's Martial Child Assessment! The idol of commoner martial children!"

"You mean the martial child who got a Cold Gate seat and became a third-rank noble clan? I heard he'd been expelled from the Martial Child Academy. I never imagined he'd emerge as a dark horse in the Martial Child Assessment."

"A mere Cold Gate seat, that's all. At most, it makes him a third-rank noble clan. What's so impressive about that compared with the great clans and wealthy families?" Some people looked down on Zhang He. Of course, most of those who said such things were consumed by envy and jealousy.

Near the seats closest to the head table, Zhao Feng and the others had also noticed the commotion. The white-clad young man beside him saw Zhang He come in and walk rather close to Lian Yunbi, and his eyes immediately blazed with fury.

"What's going on? That wretch is actually so close to the eldest daughter of the Lian Family?" His fierce reaction drew the attention of those around him. They all looked over at Zhao Feng's group, staring at them in confusion.

"Cousin, calm down. Zhang He is nothing but a toad trying to eat swan meat." Zhao Feng was startled by his cousin's reaction and hurried to soothe him. In a low voice, he said, "Everyone here has status. All we have to do is make Zhang He embarrass himself in front of everyone and expose his uncouth side. That'll be enough to make him lose face—and it'll settle the score from Luowang Prefecture."

Zhao Feng gave a sinister smile.

The white-clad young man's eyes lit up. He nodded and said viciously, "Exactly! Making him lose face without lifting a finger will feel even better than beating him. I've thought of a plan. When it's time to present gifts, your Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown will surely outshine everyone else's. Then it'll stand in stark contrast to Zhang He, and the difference between them will be plain to see. If Lian Yunbi has even a little sense, she'll make the wise choice!"

"Look over there," Zhao Feng suddenly whispered, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Wen Liang doesn't seem to like Zhang He either. I get it now. There were rumors that Wen Liang liked Lian Yunbi even back when he first entered the Martial Child Academy. But later, he left the academy to cultivate... Now that he's back and sees Zhang He getting so close to Lian Yunbi, he surely dislikes him too. And he's so proud. Zhang He even beat him to first place in this Martial Child Assessment. Wen Liang must be seething with resentment toward him."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." The white-clad young man nodded. "I've heard of Wen Liang. He's already an outer disciple of the True Martial Academy, and they say he'll soon become an inner disciple. His future is bright. When the banquet begins, I can use the opportunity to befriend him, then join forces with him to put Zhang He in his place. I'm sure he'll be happy to do the same."

Elsewhere in the crowd, a few more pairs of eyes were paying special attention to Zhang He.

"Father, little sister seems rather close to that Zhang He." Near the head table, a tall, valiant young man saw Lian Yunbi lead Zhang He in and gave a curious look.

Father Lian remained composed. "He once helped Yun Tao relieve the heat poison tormenting him. It's only natural that Yunbi should think highly of him. Don't make careless remarks."

Though he said that, his brows furrowed slightly. His daughter did seem a little too close to Zhang He, didn't she? He wasn't a man who craved status and wealth, but Zhang He's background truly wasn't worthy of his daughter.

Lian Yunbi led Zhang He to his seat. It was fairly close to the front. Nearby, Zhang He recognized several classmates from the Martial Child Academy.

"Zhang He, what have you been busy with lately?"

"Zhang He, we should get together sometime. I'll treat you to a drink."

The group of martial children from the academy hadn't been particularly close to Zhang He before. Now, though, they were exceptionally warm toward him. Two of the girls among them gazed at him with obvious interest.

Zhang He smiled and answered each of them. He chatted and laughed with the two women, but kept his distance.

Then Zhang He spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. The other man was smiling and waving at him. Wang Pengyu! His seat was across from Zhang He's. Since almost everyone had taken their seats, he didn't get up to come over; he simply greeted him from where he sat.

Zhang He smiled and waved back. He hadn't expected Lian Yunbi to invite Wang Pengyu to her birthday celebration too.

A gray-clad servant hurried in from outside and whispered something into Father Lian's ear. Father Lian's expression changed at once, lighting up with delight. He immediately hurried toward the exit to greet the guest.

"What's going on? The head of the Lian Family is going out to greet someone in person. Has some important figure arrived?"

Everyone's attention was drawn to the scene.

A short while later, Father Lian led in a middle-aged man with a hooked nose and sallow skin. A badge was pinned to his chest—the mark of a Bronze-Rank pharmacist from the Pharmacist Association.

"It's Pharmacist Lin! A Bronze-Rank pharmacist from the Pharmacist Association! I recognize him!"

"Good heavens, a Bronze-Rank pharmacist! No wonder he's a distinguished guest. There are barely any Bronze-Rank pharmacists in the whole Western Chu Kingdom. For one to come here in person—could it really be for Lian Yunbi's birthday?"

"If so, Lian Yunbi must have quite a lot of clout. A Bronze-Rank pharmacist! They're held in such high esteem that even nobles wouldn't dare slight them."

The moment everyone in the hall saw the newcomer, the room erupted into excited discussion.

"So he's a Bronze-Rank pharmacist too..." Seated behind a table, Zhang He looked at Pharmacist Lin as he entered, his expression shifting slightly. He knew that becoming a Bronze-Rank pharmacist was difficult, but he hadn't expected people to hold them in such high regard.

Zhang He smiled faintly and touched his chest. He also had a Bronze-Rank pharmacist's badge tucked inside. He disliked the thing; wearing it on his chest drew too much attention, so he usually kept it put away.

"Haha, I'm terribly sorry I'm a little late. Tell me, I haven't missed the banquet, have I?" Pharmacist Lin laughed heartily. His gaze swept quickly across the people in the hall before settling on Lian Yunbi's graceful figure at the head table.

A strange, heated look flickered in his eyes.

"Your coming is the greatest honor we could ask for," Father Lian said excitedly. "The banquet hasn't started yet. Pharmacist Lin, you must have a few extra drinks later."

"Very well. As a pharmacist, I usually avoid drinking so I can keep my mind clear and my senses sharp. But today is Yunbi's eighteenth birthday. No matter what, I'll have a few drinks." Pharmacist Lin smiled.

His casual tone positively reeked of showing off! Zhang He heard him and rolled his eyes. But many people around them looked envious, as though Pharmacist Lin had done them a favor by agreeing to attend!

"Greetings, Pharmacist Lin." Over by Zhao Feng, the white-clad young man suddenly rose and bowed respectfully to him.

Pharmacist Lin glanced over and smiled faintly. "So it's Li Yang. Long time no see. Have you broken through yet?"

"Thanks to your help, Pharmacist Lin, I've now reached the True Martial Realm," Li Yang replied respectfully. "My father has always wanted to thank you, but he's never had the chance to pay his respects. When might Pharmacist Lin be so kind as to grace our home with a visit and share a humble drink with us?"

"Heh, I've been rather busy lately. We'll talk about it after I'm done." Pharmacist Lin answered coolly.

Li Yang looked delighted all the same. He was about to continue when Pharmacist Lin waved him off with a smile. "I'm not the guest of honor today; Yunbi is. If we keep talking, we'll be stealing the limelight. We can discuss it after the banquet."

"Li Yang? Is he from the Li Family of Luowang Prefecture? They're nobles!"

"Li Yang is Zhao Feng's cousin. He must have come with Zhao Feng."

"Pharmacist Lin is amazing. Even the Li Family treats him with such respect. That's the prestige of a Bronze-Rank pharmacist!"

Zhang He heard the low murmurs around him.

"Yunbi, I've brought you a special gift this time. I'm sure you'll love it."

Pharmacist Lin smiled kindly at Lian Yunbi, his gaze wandering over her chest.

Lian Yunbi suppressed her displeasure and smiled at Pharmacist Lin. "You've gone to a lot of trouble. Your presence alone is already a great honor for me."

"I wouldn't miss anyone's birthday banquet—but I couldn't possibly miss yours." Pharmacist Lin laughed. "All right, I won't steal the limelight. The banquet should be starting now. Once it's over, we can have a nice, long talk about life."

Lian Yunbi's expression changed slightly. Beside her, her tall older brother's face darkened, but he said nothing.

"Pharmacist Lin, please take the seat of honor," Father Lian urged him.

"No, no, I'll sit below." Pharmacist Lin declined Father Lian's warm invitation. Rather than sit at the head table, he took a seat close to it. Those seated near him were thrilled to be so close to a Bronze-Rank pharmacist.

Father Lian tapped his wine cup, then stood with it in hand and looked around at the guests. "Today is my daughter's eighteenth birthday, her coming-of-age ceremony. It is my honor, and my daughter's, that all of you have taken the trouble to grace my humble home and bear witness to this moment."

Father Lian spoke at length. When his words grew heartfelt, Lian Yunbi's eyes began to redden.

"Yunbi, today is your coming-of-age ceremony. From this moment on, you're a grown woman. Your father is happy for you. This belonged to your grandmother. She left it behind, and I promised to give it to you today."

Father Lian took out a box and opened it, revealing a jade bangle of such vivid green that it was clearly worth a fortune.

"Thank you, Father." Lian Yunbi nodded, choking up.

Now that Father Lian had presented his gift, the others would have to hurry if they wanted to offer theirs. The banquet would begin soon.

Below, several young men who admired Lian Yunbi exchanged glances and set down their wine cups. A refined young man dressed in finery was the first to step forward.

"Miss Lian, I wish you even greater beauty." His gift was a sizable snow ginseng, which would greatly nourish the blood and vital energy when consumed.

"Thank you." Lian Yunbi accepted the gift with both hands and smiled at the man who had presented it.

Those behind him followed suit, offering their own gifts. Some presented calligraphy and paintings, others weapons or jade—things Lian Yunbi could generally make use of.

"About time. It's my turn." Seeing that the people before him had finished laying the groundwork, Zhao Feng rose and carried a box over to Lian Yunbi.

"Yunbi, happy birthday. I found this gift for you. It'll look beautiful when you wear it. I hope you like it." Zhao Feng smiled and opened the box.

"The Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown! Am I seeing things? That's the treasure of Fengxiang Jewelry's flagship store, and he's giving it to her as a birthday present!"

"That Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown is worth nearly a thousand gold coins. Zhao Feng's really gone all out!"

"Everything the others gave her combined probably isn't worth as much as that one piece!"

"This Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown proves just how sincere Zhao Feng is."

Everyone below couldn't help exclaiming when Zhao Feng revealed the Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown. The women, though, gazed at it with envy. If only that crown had been given to them!

Pharmacist Lin, watching from the side, looked disdainful. It was just a vulgar trinket. No matter how much they praised it, it was only a piece of jewelry. The Lian Family wasn't short of money, after all.

"Thank you." Lian Yunbi was startled to see the Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown. "But this gift is too precious. I can't accept it. You should take it back. I appreciate the thought."

Lian Yunbi politely declined.