The young master, Lord Luo Yuan, was somewhat anxious. Cheng Ruinian had taken the lead, flattering eloquently, leaving him unsure of how to praise appropriately, feeling somewhat passive.
Qin Xian'er's demeanor, enchanting and alluring, captivated everyone with her beautiful smile. However, a disdainful snort echoed softly, originating from a servant accompanying Young Master Guo, whose presence went unnoticed until now.
Though the snort was faint, the hall's profound silence allowed everyone to hear. Following the sound, they discovered it came from the lower-class servant accompanying Young Master Guo.
Having encountered countless individuals, Qin Xian'er recognized that, despite being a servant, this man had a dignified demeanor. Lacking the usual timidity of a servant, he wore a cold smile on his face, seemingly contemptuous towards her.
Annoyed internally, but maintaining a smile, Qin Xian'er asked, "May I inquire about this young master's name?"
Wearing the typical attire of a servant, Lin Wanrong's identity was evident. Qin Xian'er, however, deliberately addressed him as "young master," seeking to embarrass him in retaliation for his disdainful attitude.
Lin Wanrong, aware of her petty nature, smiled and replied, "The title 'young master' is undeserved. I am Lin San, merely a humble servant of the Xiaofu House in Jinling. I have already informed Miss Qin."
With an amused look, Qin Xian'er said, "Is it possible that these meager skills of mine fail to meet the young master's standards?"
Lin Wanrong responded, "Both the zither and the melody are excellent, but—" intentionally pausing, he continued with a smirk, "my young master mentioned that in Miss Qin's piece, there are at least three flaws."
Lin Wanrong's unexpected remarks surprised the audience in the hall. The audacity of this servant from the Xiao family was beyond their expectations, as he openly criticized Qin Xian'er.
"Bold servant!" Before Qin Xian'er could respond, Cheng Ruinian exclaimed, "Miss Qin is a celestial being; how dare you, a mere servant, casually criticize her?"
Cheng Ruinian, initially enjoying a pleasant conversation with Qin Xian'er, felt frustrated by Lin Wanrong's interference. On the other hand, Lord Luo Yuan, witnessing someone undermining Cheng Ruinian, showed a hint of delight on his face.
Although Lin Wanrong was formidable, he understood that, given his current strength, directly confronting Cheng Ruinian would undoubtedly result in defeat. Hence, he acted as if he hadn't heard, keeping his gaze fixed on Qin Xian'er to see how she would respond.
Intrigued, Qin Xian'er glanced at Young Master Guo oddly, smiling, "May I inquire, young master, what flaws there are in my piece?"
Guo Wuchang, seemingly captivated by Qin Xian'er, displayed a foolish expression. He couldn't figure out how to point out any flaws.
Lin Wanrong, annoyed by the display, muttered to himself, "This young master of the Xiao family is truly unreliable." Then, addressing Qin Xian'er, he said, "Miss Qin, please forgive me if my words offend. However, my young master is currently contemplating the matter. He asked me to answer on his behalf."
Seeing no objection from Qin Xian'er, Lin Wanrong continued, "Miss Qin, although your skills are exquisite, reaching higher levels may be challenging. If I've pointed out flaws, consider it a favor. In business, the Xiao family values mutual benefit. Without some reward, my young master won't be interested."
After a brief pause, Qin Xian'er, appearing puzzled, asked, "What kind of reward does Master Lin seek?"
Grinning, Lin Wanrong replied, "Very simple. Just agree to one thing, and that will be enough."
"No!" Cheng Ruinian vehemently objected. "This servant dares to have such ideas? Miss Qin is a celestial being; how can you allow this servant to freely make suggestions?"
Lin Wanrong, though robust, knew he couldn't confront Cheng Ruinian directly. He pretended not to hear the objection and kept his eyes on Qin Xian'er, waiting for her response.
Perplexed, Qin Xian'er glanced at Guo Wuchang, smiling, "But I wonder, what flaws are there in my piece? Please point them out, Young Master Guo."
Guo Wuchang, still staring at Qin Xian'er with a pig-like expression, couldn't figure out how to address her flaws.
"Alas, our young master is too timid," Lin Wanrong thought, smiling as he spoke, "If Miss Qin accepts my guidance, it's a mutual benefit. Without some gain, my young master won't engage in fruitless endeavors."
Qin Xian'er hesitated for a moment, then smiled, "No profit, no early rising. Master Lin's words are reasonable. But I wonder what kind of gain does Master Lin desire?"
Grinning cunningly, Lin Wanrong said, "Very simple. Just agree to one thing, and that will be enough."
"Absolutely not! Guards, capture this troublemaking servant!" Cheng Ruinian shouted.
"Wait, wait," said the young master named Luo Yuan, strolling over. "Ruinian, what regulations has this Lin violated?"
Cheng Ruinian was momentarily speechless. The wager between Lin Wanrong and Qin Xian'er was audible throughout the hall. With Lord Luo Yuan present, a reconciliation might not be as straightforward.
Luo Yuan smiled at Lin Wanrong, secretly giving him a thumbs-up, indicating support.
Observing the situation, Lin Wanrong, appreciating the young Lord Luo, reciprocated with a friendly smile.
Startled by the tea pot crashing down from upstairs, Qin Xian'er subtly trembled. Although her face showed no signs of disturbance, her eyes briefly scanned the upper floor, revealing nothing unusual.
Lin Wanrong's intuition kicked in. Though unsure about the enchantment he had encountered, he nearly succumbed to her request. Could there be something peculiar about her gaze?
"Miss, what happened?" asked Suohe softly.
"This Miss Qin is extraordinary. That wandering poet almost enchanted her," the dashing young man remarked. Earlier, he had subtly manipulated the situation by causing the teapot on the upper floor to fall, waking Lin Wanrong from his trance.
"Is this Qin woman the one we are looking for?" Suohe inquired.
"Even if she's not, there must be some connection," the dashing young man replied, eyeing Qin Xian'er.
Seeing Lin Wanrong regaining clarity, Qin Xian'er knew her plan had failed. However, she was experienced in handling various situations. Pretending to be shy, she lowered her head and said, "Master Lin, why are you staring at me like that?"
The people in the hall were unaware of Lin Wanrong's momentary lapse. Witnessing the silent interaction between the two earlier, the hall erupted in chatter. Cheng Ruinian rushed forward, standing in front of Qin Xian'er, and scolded Lin Wanrong, "How dare you be disrespectful to Miss Qin! You have quite the audacity."
Qin Xian'er, pretending to be fragile, hid behind Cheng Ruinian. A sly smile flashed in her eyes.
Caught in the moment, Lin Wanrong restrained his emotions, bowed slightly, and said, "My apologies, Miss Qin. I was merely lost in thought. Please pardon my unintentional rudeness."
Cheng Ruinian sneered, "Hmph! It seems this servant knows his place now. Miss Qin, don't worry. I won't let anyone disrespect you."
Lin Wanrong maintained his composure, silently cursing himself for nearly falling into a trap. Yet, he realized that Qin Xian'er had avoided confrontation, revealing her ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
As the situation simmered down, Lord Luo Yuan spoke, "Let's not escalate this matter. Everyone, please enjoy the banquet. Ruinian, you continue your conversation with Miss Qin. Lin, make sure to avoid any further disturbances."
With a nod, Lord Luo Yuan signaled for the musicians to resume their performance. The festive atmosphere returned to the hall, but a subtle tension lingered.
Lin Wanrong withdrew gracefully, returning to his original position. Observing from a distance, he analyzed the situation, thinking, "This Qin Xian'er is no ordinary character. I must remain vigilant."
As the banquet continued, various guests approached Qin Xian'er, expressing admiration and presenting gifts. However, she maintained her focus on Cheng Ruinian, subtly studying his expressions.
Cheng Ruinian, aware of Qin Xian'er's enchanting presence, felt a mix of fascination and caution. He was determined to win her favor, dismissing Lin Wanrong's earlier interference as an insignificant episode.
Meanwhile, Lin Wanrong, under Young Master Guo's orders, continued to observe Qin Xian'er closely. The Xiao family had a keen interest in her, driven by motives beyond the surface.
In the midst of the bustling banquet, a mysterious undercurrent flowed beneath the surface, setting the stage for a series of intricate events.
(To be continued)