The Lin Estate!

"Elder Lin?"

Zhang Xinnian visibly froze at the name, his face registering that he had yet to process it.

Yes, he had assumed that his young lord sneaking out so early in the morning was most likely off to meet some disreputable cronies again.

After all, his young lord had often done exactly that.

Yet now, the name that popped out of his mouth was none other than Elder Lin.

That really threw him off.

Who was Elder Lin?

A towering figure who had once served as Grand Tutor!

Though he had long since retired and no longer concerned himself with court affairs, his prestige had not diminished in the slightest, and his students and old associates were scattered throughout the court and beyond.

Without exaggeration, countless scholars in the capital longed to meet the old gentleman even once, yet might never get the chance.

And now his young lord was saying he wanted to see him?

Zhang Xinnian stood rooted to the spot for a moment before finally asking, "Young lord, isn't... isn't this rather improper?"

"Hmm?"

Jiang Xiaobai turned to glance at him. "What's improper about it?"

Zhang Xinnian steeled himself and said, "Given Elder Lin's standing, he isn't someone just anyone can meet whenever they please."

"Besides, we military men aren't suited to entering such a haven of letters..."

"Heh, I've never practiced martial arts!"

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head. "So... I'm no military man!"

"You certainly aren't a military man, but you aren't a man of letters either!"

Zhang Xinnian said this with a wry smile.

As far as he knew, the Lin Estate welcomed only scholars and men of letters!

"Oh? Then what sort of man do you think I am?" Jiang Xiaobai asked with a faint smile.

"Well..."

Zhang Xinnian looked embarrassed.

"It's fine. Go ahead. I absolutely won't get angry!" Jiang Xiaobai said.

"Then I'll say it!"

With an earnest expression, Zhang Xinnian said, "Calling you a wastrel would be putting it too nicely, young lord!"

"But calling you useless would be going a little too far!"

"So... in my opinion, young lord, you're a useless wastrel!"

"I..."

After hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's mouth twitched. Then he said with a solemn expression, "Fine. Today, I'll show you how a useless wastrel like me gets inside!"

With that, Jiang Xiaobai offered no further explanation and let the carriage curtain fall.

Seeing this, Zhang Xinnian could only give a wry chuckle. As he climbed onto the carriage, he instructed the driver to head toward the Lin Estate.

But along the way, Zhang Xinnian's face remained full of bewilderment.

Just why was his young lord going to see Elder Lin?

Could it be...

At this thought, Zhang Xinnian's heart suddenly gave a jolt.

Was the young lord worried that the marriage arrangement with the Li Family wasn't secure enough, and hoping to use Elder Lin's connections to give it another push?

But on second thought, that did not seem right either.

With Elder Lin's standing, why would he involve himself in something like that?

As these haphazard thoughts ran through his mind, the two continued onward, and before they knew it, nearly an hour had passed.

Only when the carriage slowly stopped did Zhang Xinnian come back to his senses. He lifted the curtain and said quietly, "Young lord, we're here."

At that, Jiang Xiaobai stepped out of the carriage and raised his head to look ahead.

Before him stood a rather tranquil residence. Its walls and gateway were not extravagant; instead, they carried a certain antique simplicity.

On the plaque directly above the entrance were two large characters: "Lin Estate"!

The brushstrokes swept like roaming dragons and serpents, their bearing powerful and majestic. Though there were only two characters, they carried a weight that seemed to surge straight toward him.

Jiang Xiaobai merely glanced up, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Fine calligraphy."

Jiang Xiaobai murmured to himself, then lowered his gaze.

Beneath the estate's gateway sat two teenage scholar's attendants.

A long table stood before them, with paper and brushes spread across it, and they were writing something.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaobai immediately approached with Zhang Xinnian.

As he drew near, one of the attendants promptly stood and bowed to Jiang Xiaobai with his hands clasped, his manner quite courteous.

"Please stop here, young master. Might the two of you have an invitation?"

"Well..."

Jiang Xiaobai gave a dry cough.

The attendant noticed Jiang Xiaobai's embarrassment and continued, "If not, you may leave your name, and I'll announce your arrival for you."

As he spoke, the attendant also cast an unobtrusive glance at Zhang Xinnian behind Jiang Xiaobai.

Though Zhang Xinnian merely stood there quietly, the aura of grim martial menace about him was certainly not something an ordinary household could nurture.

That single glance was enough for the attendant to conclude that the young master before him most likely came from an honored military family.

Jiang Xiaobai wasted no words. "Jiang Xiaobai, of the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate."

As those words fell, both attendants' expressions changed almost simultaneously.

Jiang Xiaobai?

That notorious Profligate Heir from the capital?

Yes, they had naturally heard that name.

After all, the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate was a household of loyal heroes with illustrious military achievements, yet it had somehow produced an utterly ignorant, outrageously dissolute heir. With such a stark contrast, it would have been hard for him not to become famous.

For a moment, both attendants' expressions stiffened.

Had it been anyone else, they could have simply followed the rules.

But this man before them... his reputation was rather too resounding.

And it was hardly a good reputation.

Thus, for a moment, both of them looked troubled.

Jiang Xiaobai was about to say a few more words to get the two attendants to announce him inside, when a soft clatter of hooves and carriage wheels suddenly came from behind.

Jiang Xiaobai turned and saw another carriage slowly approaching from the end of the street, finally coming to a stop before the Lin Estate.

As its curtain was lifted, an elderly man with slightly graying hair and beard slowly descended, supported by another attendant who had accompanied him.

Though the old man was advanced in years, his back remained straight and his robes immaculate, while his features held the composure and dignity of someone long accustomed to high office.

The two attendants stationed at the entrance immediately became solemn and hurried over to greet him.

"Greetings, Mr. Gu!"

"Mr. Gu, what brings you here?"

A flicker of puzzlement passed through Jiang Xiaobai's eyes.

Mr. Gu?

The name sounds unfamiliar, but he must be a frequent guest at the Lin Estate.

And judging by the two attendants' manner, this Elder Gu is no ordinary man!

Seeing that neither attendant was paying attention to him, Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flashed.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, he shot Zhang Xinnian a meaningful look and strode toward the entrance. "Let's go!"

His movements were brisk and decisive, so quick that they caught everyone off guard.

"Huh?"

"Young lord!"

By the time Zhang Xinnian came to his senses, Jiang Xiaobai had already stepped over the threshold.

Zhang Xinnian's expression changed again, and cold sweat nearly broke out across his forehead.

Wait...

He was just going straight in?

Turning up uninvited was already rather presumptuous.

And now, without even having himself announced, he was charging inside while they were distracted?

Was this really appropriate?

Yet however uneasy he felt, he did not dare let Jiang Xiaobai rush inside alone.

He could only grit his teeth and hurry after him.

Fine. If anything really went wrong, he'd shoulder the blame himself!