The girl was thin and small, with dry, yellow hair and a pointed chin. She swayed back and forth, carrying a basket that was half her height.
He caught a glimpse of her skirt; the dark color revealed the stitches of alterations, and it was cinched at the waist with a belt to prevent the oversized garment from looking odd. Her waist was incredibly slender; he even felt he could easily wrap his hand around it. Her shoes were worn down to the point where you could see her toes.
Just then, a male voice rang out, panting heavily.
"This humble one, Lin Zhiqiang, greets Your Excellency!"
Lin Zhiqiang was attending a class at the academy when he was suddenly called out, told that a distinguished guest had arrived at his home and that he should return immediately.
Distinguished guest? He had no idea what kind of distinguished guest would come to his house; the most important person he had ever met was the village head.
But when he saw a large group of people standing at his door, all of whom were either rich or noble, he knew that the people who came were definitely not ordinary.
But he was still shocked when he saw the Mu family's carriage.
He was bowing with his hands clasped in front of him, his back sweating.
Who exactly is this person?
Mu Jinyun looked at the teenager in front of him.
Lin Zhiqiang – Lin Banjian’s elder brother.
Before he arrived, he had already gathered information about the area within a few miles of her home.
He is a very hardworking child and does very well in his studies.
He nodded. "Please rise, don't be so formal."
Now that his parents are gone, he must take on the responsibilities of a parent, "I don't know the adults..."
Before he could finish speaking, a commotion arose outside the door. He frowned, wanting to stop it, but then saw his parents rushing in carrying Lin Zhile.
It turned out that the goods to be delivered to the tavern today had to be picked up from a very far place. Lin's mother was worried, so she asked the bookstore for leave to go with them. Since Lin Zhile was crying and wanted to come along, the couple had no choice but to bring Lin Zhile along as well.
So, the township head sent people to their usual workplace but couldn't find them. It took a long time to find out where they were. This back and forth took a lot of time, so they got home later than Lin Zhiqiang.
Lin Zhile was young and had never seen such a scene before. The adults all had stern faces and were so frightened that they burst into tears as soon as they entered the door.
Lin's father and mother were also quite frightened.
The township head hurriedly had someone carry the crying Lin Zhile away.
Lin's parents immediately knelt down.
"My lord, I have always abided by the law and have never done anything immoral!"
Lin's father started wailing, no matter what, he wanted to play the victim first.
Mu Jinyun was very amiable. "Please rise, both of you!"
Seeing that his parents were starting to tremble, Lin Zhiqiang strode forward and stood in front of them, saying, "Sir, my parents have been working hard all this time. Please tell me what you need."
"Alright." Mu Jinyun had two chairs brought down from the carriage for Mr. and Mrs. Lin to sit down.
Lin's parents were trembling with fear, only daring to let their bottoms touch the ground lightly.
They've never sat in such a nice chair before! If they break it, they couldn't afford to pay for it even if they sold their whole family!
"Please do not be alarmed, gentlemen. I have come here for no other reason than to request a treasure."
treasure?
Mr. and Mrs. Lin looked at each other in bewilderment.
Judging from their clothes, appearance, and demeanor, they were definitely from a prominent family, the kind they would never encounter in their entire lives. What treasures could they, from such a humble family, possibly possess?
Lin's mother put on a big smile, "Young master, you must have come to the wrong place." Lin's father chimed in.
Lin Zhiqiang, meanwhile, lowered his head and pondered silently.
“I haven’t come to the wrong place.” Mu Jinyun remained gentle. “I’ve been looking for her for many years. She is very important to me.”
"I want to take your daughter with me, please do not refuse."
He clasped his hands together, performing the proper courtesies with utmost respect.
The group was taken aback upon hearing this.
Your daughter?
That's...
"This... young master, it's not that we refuse to release her, it's just that my daughter has already been promised to someone." Lin's mother glanced at the village head out of the corner of her eye, her voice hesitant.
"You've promised yourself to someone else?" Mu Jinyun was clearly surprised.
What's wrong with him? Why didn't he tell him he was already engaged before he came?
"I hope that you two can dissolve your daughter's engagement." He said earnestly.
Has someone else already beaten them to it?
It doesn't matter!
According to the report from his subordinates, Lin Banjian is only 12 years old, far from the legal age for marriage. Therefore, there is only one possibility: he is already engaged.
So what if she's engaged? Even if they get married, he can still find a way to steal her away!
"This..." Mr. and Mrs. Lin exchanged a glance.
Lin Zhiqiang, however, had already realized what was happening.
"Sir, may I ask you a question?"
"Speaking."
"Sir, you wish to take my younger sister away, but I wonder which of my sisters you wish to take?"
"Zhiqiang!" Lin's mother shrieked, "What nonsense are you talking about? Of course it's your little sister Lele! You only have one little sister!"
Fortunately, Lin Banjian went to the backyard; otherwise, she would have been very sad if she had been there.
Mu Jinyun's expression was quite interesting.
Lin Zhiqiang knew it was all over.
He couldn't understand why his usually shrewd mother had faltered at this crucial moment.
It's true that the parents don't like Lin Banjian, but they absolutely cannot say it out loud in front of outsiders! Especially since the other party is a powerful and influential person who might have a significant impact on their family!
He hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, "Sir, my mother has been suffering from headaches these past few days and her speech is slurred. Please forgive her!"
"Oh?" Mu Jinyun drawled out the sound.
Lin's mother had already jumped up from the chair, and Lin's father couldn't even catch her.
She rushed to Mu Jinyun's feet.
"My lord, are you going to take Lele away? It's an honor for Lele to serve you! This child has been intelligent since she was little and knows how to please people! Whether you keep her by your side as a maid or a page, she certainly won't disappoint you!"
She has just made up her mind.
Lin Zhile was her favorite child. Although the township head said he wanted Lele to be his daughter-in-law, how could the township head's son compare to this person? It was just the difference between a pheasant and a phoenix!
However, since Lele is now with this adult, they definitely won't be able to see each other often in the future, but so what? As long as her daughter is doing well, she'll be content!
Later, when her eldest son became a high-ranking official and her youngest daughter had a respectable and prestigious job, wouldn't she be able to do whatever she wanted in the village?
Mu Jinyun said to Lin Zhiqiang meaningfully, "It seems that your mother is indeed quite ill."
Lin Zhiqiang is going crazy.
He quickly gave Lin's father a meaningful look, and fortunately, Lin's father reacted quickly, half-pushing and half-pulling Lin's mother away.
Lin Zhiqiang's back was soaked with sweat.
He hurriedly knelt down, "Sir, are you going to take my younger sister Lin Banjian away? I'll call her right away!"
"Alright."
Lin Zhiqiang ran to the backyard at almost the fastest speed he could ever go and pulled Lin Banjian, who was squatting in the pig trough feeding the pigs, up.
Lin Banjian was startled, "Brother?"
"Quick, come with me!" Lin Zhiqiang grabbed her and ran.
"Brother, what happened? Brother, slow down, I can't run that fast!"
Seeing her thin arms and legs, Lin Zhiqiang gritted his teeth, picked her up, and ran away as fast as he could.
Lin Banjian was dumbfounded. "What's wrong, bro? Are we going to get our heads chopped off if we're too slow?"
Could the person who came be the emperor?
“It’s even more serious than that!” Lin Zhiqiang said irritably.
Lin Banjian was so frightened that he dared not utter a sound.
Lin Zhiqiang ran all the way to the front yard and before he could catch his breath, he saw Mu Jinyun's unfriendly expression.
He instantly understood and immediately put Lin Banjian down from his back.
The nobleman's expression softened.
Lin Zhiqiang: It's over, they really came for Lin Banjian!
Lin Banjian truly believed that Mu Jinyun in front of him was the emperor, so he immediately lay down on the ground, curled up into a small ball, and shouted "Long live the emperor!"
She once passed by a storyteller's stall on the roadside, who said that His Majesty the Emperor loved to put on a show. He would kill anyone who didn't kneel before him or shout "Long live the Emperor!" and beheading was the least of his worries!
She silently prayed that the man in front of her wouldn't kill her.
Mu Jinyun looked at the trembling little bundle in front of him with a complicated expression, and gently helped her up.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"I...I cannot look His Majesty in the eye!" She closed her eyes tightly.
The storyteller said, "Whoever looks at the emperor will lose their eyes!"
"Your Majesty?" Mu Jinyun asked curiously, "Why do you call me Your Majesty?"
"His Majesty the Emperor is the most honorable person in the world, riding in the finest carriage and wearing the finest clothes!" She kept her eyes tightly shut.
"I see!" he chuckled. "But I'm not the emperor, so Banjian can open his eyes now!"
When he was with her, his voice softened involuntarily.
Not the emperor?
Lin Banjian was half-believing and half-doubting, but he still opened his eyes.
In an instant, it was dazzling with light and color.
Ah, those exquisite eyes...
What came into her view was an incredibly handsome man.
Lin Banjian could hear his own heartbeat.
Thump—thump—
How strange, she unconsciously covered her heart with both hands.
Her heart had never been beating so fast!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com