The Lin family resided in the southern part of Iron Bull Town. As one of the largest families in the town, the Lin family's mansion was undoubtedly exceptional. Qin Feiyang had visited numerous times, so he made his way to the main gate with great familiarity.
Today, the Lin family estate was brightly decorated and full of festive cheer. The two household slaves standing on either side of the main gate were all smiles.
However, upon seeing Qin Feiyang's arrival, their faces turned deathly pale, as if they had seen a demon.
"Where is Lin Baili?"
"Didn't he say this morning that he would greet me personally? Where is he now?"
Qin Feiyang scanned the two of them, his gaze icy. In the past, these two had often relied on their master's influence to mock him, so naturally, he wouldn't show them any pleasantness.
"Young Master Lin is inside entertaining guests," one of them hurriedly replied.
In truth, Lin Baili had only just returned and was inside changing his clothes.
"In my life, I detest those who don't keep their word the most. Since he lacks sincerity, I see no need to go in," Qin Feiyang said, then turned to leave.
"Young Master Qin, we are merely servants. Please don't make things difficult for us."
"Yes, yes, I'll go inform Young Master Lin right away!"
The two household slaves blocked Qin Feiyang's path, looking at him with pleading eyes. If this were the past, they would have already turned hostile. But now, they absolutely dared not!
However, Qin Feiyang's expression grew even colder.
"Move!"
He spat out the command, his voice frigid, an astonishing aura emanating from him!
Both household slaves trembled from head to toe!
Just then, a soft chuckle sounded.
Dressed in a brand-new purple robe, Lin Baili strode out from the mansion. He stood on the steps outside the main gate, cupped his hands politely, and said with a smile, "Brother Qin, my apologies. I was so busy just now that I nearly forgot about you. If I've been remiss in any way, I hope you'll forgive me."
"Is that so?" Qin Feiyang's lips curved into a smirk as he replied lightly, "I thought an important man like yourself was simply prone to forgetfulness."
"How could that be? As soon as I remembered you, I rushed out to greet you. Brother Qin, this was my oversight, my mistake. Please don't make things difficult for them. Working for the Lin family isn't easy for them either," Lin Baili sighed.
The two household slaves nodded repeatedly, their hearts brimming with gratitude. Young Master Lin is such a good person!
In their eyes, however, Qin Feiyang was self-important and arrogant, his odious behavior that of a petty man who had gained power.
A sharp light glinted in Qin Feiyang's eyes. As a Prince of the Great Qin Empire, what kind of person hadn't he encountered? How could he fail to understand the double meaning in Lin Baili's words?
Since you want to play, I'll play along to the end, Qin Feiyang sneered inwardly. Looking at Lin Baili, he nodded. "You're right. They work like beasts of burden for your Lin family, yet their monthly wages are so meager. It truly is difficult for them. Why don't you act the philanthropist and give them a little raise?"
The two household slaves exchanged glances, a sense of grievance welling up in their hearts. What Qin Feiyang said made perfect sense. They had dedicated themselves полностью to the Lin family. In the eyes of others, they were merely the Lin family's watchdogs. Yet their monthly wages amounted to a pitiful five Body-refining Elixirs. Their contributions and their rewards were completely out of proportion. What was most detestable was that accursed steward, who always found various excuses and reasons to dock their wages. The Body-refining Elixirs they actually received each month never exceeded three. The Lin family simply didn't treat them as human beings.
Upon hearing this, Lin Baili's body tensed slightly, and his smile became somewhat unnatural. He had initially thought Qin Feiyang was just a brawny, simple-minded fool. But to his surprise, not only was this person not an idiot, he had even turned the tables on him!
A wage increase? How could he possibly do something that would harm the family's interests?
"What?" Qin Feiyang shook his head and sighed. "Is Young Master Lin unwilling to give them a raise? If that's truly the case, then I genuinely feel sorry for them."
Lin Baili's face twitched. He felt as if he had fallen into a trap, outmaneuvered by Qin Feiyang.
Seeing this, a hint of ridicule flashed deep in Qin Feiyang's eyes as he continued, "Young Master Lin, why are you silent? Don't tell me you can't make this decision? If so, then just pretend I never said anything."
Lin Baili's face twitched even more violently. Regret flooded his heart. If he had known this person was so difficult to deal with, he never would have provoked him. Wasn't this just digging a pit for himself to fall into? Especially when he saw the barely concealed mockery in Qin Feiyang's eyes, an inexplicable anger surged within him.
"Who says I can't make this decision? From this day forward, the wages of all Lin family servants will be doubled!" he gritted his teeth and announced.
"Thank you, Young Master Lin!" The two household slaves immediately knelt, tears of gratitude streaming down their faces.
Doubled! This meant their monthly salary would now be a full ten Body-refining Elixirs! This was truly a blessing!
This also meant that in this silent battle of wits, Lin Baili had been utterly defeated!
Lin Baili sneered inwardly, Qin Feiyang, you little bastard, don't get too smug! The best part of the show is yet to come. On the surface, however, he remained perfectly amiable and escorted Qin Feiyang toward the Lin family's reception hall.
The two household slaves also cast a grateful glance at Qin Feiyang.
Moreover, the news spread like wildfire throughout the Lin family estate, and it soon reached the ears of the Lin Family Head.
"Our Lin family has several hundred servants! If everyone's salary is doubled, how many Body-refining Elixirs will we lose each month? This is completely outrageous!" the Lin Family Head fumed, turning to the steward beside him. "Go get Baili. I want to ask him why he made this decision!"
Lin Yong hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Family Head, Young Master Baili is currently entertaining guests. I don't think it's appropriate to call him now. Besides, Young Master Baili was sent by the main family; our small branch family cannot afford to offend him."
The Lin Family Head retorted, "I still need to get to the bottom of this. We can't just suffer such a loss of Body-refining Elixirs for no reason, can we?"
Lin Yong considered it and agreed. "Very well, I'll go find him. But you must remain calm. After all, Yiyi's future still depends on the main family's support."
"I understand." The Lin Family Head nodded, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed his anger.
Lin Yong turned and quickly departed.
「Meanwhile.」
In a corridor, Qin Feiyang looked around, his eyes full of curiosity.
Lin Baili, however, frowned impatiently and urged, "Brother Qin, these flowers and plants are common everywhere. What's so interesting about them? Let's go, the Third Palace Master and the others are waiting for us."
Since entering the Lin family estate, Qin Feiyang hadn't been in any hurry to reach the reception hall. He strolled along, stopping frequently and looking this way and that, like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world. This made Lin Baili extremely annoyed.
Qin Feiyang chuckled. "Although these flowers and plants aren't rare and are quite ordinary, I find them stunning every time I see them. Simply looking at them is a pleasure. A pampered young master like you wouldn't understand that."
"Hmm?" Lin Baili frowned, anger flaring in his eyes. He was very sensitive to the term "pampered young master"!
Qin Feiyang said, "Alright, alright. I'll admire them slowly when I have time. Let's go to the reception hall."
"Hmph!" Lin Baili snorted coldly and walked ahead in silence.
Trying to play mind games with me? You're still far too inexperienced, Qin Feiyang followed leisurely, a look of disdain creeping into his eyes as he watched Lin Baili's retreating back.
「The Reception Hall.」
The reception hall was lavishly decorated. It was resplendent with carved beams and painted rafters. A dazzling array of high-quality gems and jadeite was on display. Every corner exuded an air of opulence.
The Third Palace Master, the Martial Palace Master, the Zhao Family Head, and an elegant, beautiful woman were seated around a tea table, sipping tea and chatting.
Behind them stood four youths, two young men and two young women. Around fifteen or sixteen years old, the young men were handsome and distinguished, the young women youthful and lovely, all possessing an extraordinary air.
"Everyone, my sincere apologies for keeping you waiting so long," Lin Baili said with an amiable chuckle as he strode into the reception hall. His bearing was elegant and his manners refined, earning him considerable admiration from the Third Palace Master and the others present.
As for Qin Feiyang, upon entering the reception hall, he merely swept a quick glance around before seating himself off to one side. He spoke to no one and seemed quite out of place.
The elegant woman smiled and said, "Baili, I didn't realize you were so good to your servants."
"Hmm?" Lin Baili looked puzzled.
The beautiful woman said, "We just heard about you giving your servants a raise. We all greatly admire your character and your way of doing things."
Lin Baili smiled and said, "In my eyes, they are not servants; they are my family. Of course, I cannot mistreat them."
Though his words sounded magnanimous, inwardly he was seething with a rage so intense he could have killed Qin Feiyang.
Such a hypocrite, Qin Feiyang thought, openly casting a scornful look at Lin Baili.
Just then, Lin Yong entered the reception hall. After a polite greeting to everyone, he approached Lin Baili and whispered a few words in his ear.
Lin Baili frowned imperceptibly, then rose and said with a smile, "Everyone, I have some private matters to attend to. Please make yourselves comfortable; don't stand on ceremony."
The beautiful woman and the other three nodded.
Once Lin Baili and the steward had left, the beautiful woman turned to Qin Feiyang and said with a chuckle, "Young man, I never expected you to have hidden your talents so deeply. If it weren't for the events of this morning, we might have gone our whole lives without knowing you're actually a martial arts prodigy."
Qin Feiyang smiled faintly. "Pavilion Master, my humble abilities are hardly worthy of your notice."
This beautiful woman was Lo Qianxue, the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion. Though a woman, her methods and strength were in no way inferior to those of the Third Palace Master or the Martial Palace Master.
Lo Qianxue shook her head and chuckled, "With both the Martial Palace and the Elixir Palace vying for you, there's no need for such modesty!"
The Martial Palace Master added, "Qin Feiyang, would you reconsider?"
The Third Palace Master immediately played his trump card, tempting him, "Join my Elixir Palace, and I guarantee your future will be limitless."
However, Qin Feiyang merely smiled dismissively, a faint hint of disdain in his expression.
The Third Palace Master and Martial Palace Master didn't seem particularly displeased by Qin Feiyang's attitude, but the two young men standing behind them couldn't help but frown. They felt that this Qin Feiyang was perhaps a little too arrogant.
As for the Zhao Family Head and Lo Qianxue, along with the two young women behind them, a curious light glinted in their eyes.
This Qin Feiyang was rather interesting.