Chapter 325: Welcome Home, Knight Lin!

Chapter 325: Welcome Home, Knight Lin!

After a long time apart, Lin Nuo was finally returning to the Lin family manor.

Before this, Qin Shili intentionally poked fun at Luo Xiaoxue:

“Miss Luo, didn’t you say before that you were just passing by Lichu Town? How come you didn’t continue on your journey and now you’re coming back with us to the Lin family manor?”

Lin Nuo had almost forgotten about that, but it did seem like there was something to it.

However, Lin Nuo never believed that Luo Xiaoxue was simply passing through; after all, you don’t just drop in from thousands of miles away like that.

Luo Xiaoxue quickly countered:

“That’s just it! I was planning to keep going, but then I received a letter from someone at my destination telling me not to come. I noticed that something was off in Lichu Town and felt the need to help, so I stayed. Now that you’re going back, I have to tag along!”

“Oh, then Miss Luo, you really are quite fortunate.”

“Indeed! Perhaps it’s destiny, what with me and Young Master Lin being connected—it’s all rather inexplicable,” Luo Xiaoxue replied with a smile.

“Whether it’s intentional or if there’s something you’re hiding, we can’t know. But I think, intentionally hiding things shows a bit of distrust towards others.”

Qin Shili’s words were sharp and loaded with meaning; they sounded simple and indifferent, yet they were an attack on Luo Xiaoxue.

Ever since Luo Xiaoxue arrived in Lichu Town, the verbal sparring between her and Qin Shili hadn’t ceased.

“Not at all! I completely trust Young Master Lin, and he’s worthy of that trust,” Luo Xiaoxue insisted.

“Is that so?”

“Isn’t it?”

“Is that so?”

“Isn’t it?”

…

The two young ladies started another round of back-and-forth, and Lin Nuo’s ears couldn’t handle it.

Normally, Qin Shili was proud and aloof, rarely speaking much. Yet lately, she had been fervently engaging in these verbal skirmishes with Luo Xiaoxue—nearly exhausting her word count for half a year!

“I say, can’t you two give my ears a break…”

Lin Nuo sighed, feeling a headache coming on from the constant chatter of these two girls.

He recalled how, in his previous life, he had naively considered having a harem; dealing with a bunch of women bantering together was already quite bothersome.

Regardless of what Lin Nuo said, they would continue to bicker over trivial matters, exchanging barbs without elevating their voices. One smiled while the other remained icy—both were firing verbal arrows, keeping it classy.

For Lin Nuo, he didn’t care about trust or distrust; he didn’t bother with it at all.

Listening to the ongoing quarrels of Qin Shili and Luo Xiaoxue on the way, they finally arrived in front of the Lin family manor, and he halted his steps.

It seemed that there were still a few more young ladies inside.

Wouldn’t that make it even noisier?

Recalling how they had barged into his room before, he felt uneasy about it.

He hesitated, not wanting to go in.

“Why aren’t you going in?” Qin Shili asked, noticing Lin Nuo’s indecision.

“Just don’t want to. If you want to go in, be my guest,” he replied.

“You’re the highest ranked guest in my home. If you don’t enter, I certainly won’t.”

“When did I become the highest ranked guest in your home…”

Lin Nuo felt helpless; was she trying to force him into the Qin family?

Just then, a spirited girl stepped out from the manor and bumped into Lin Nuo and the others.

“Third Brother, you’re back! I heard you got injured. Are you feeling better now?”

It was Lin Nuo’s sixth sister, Lin Qian, but he felt like he was mistaking her identity.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m your sixth sister, Lin Qian! Don’t you remember me?”

Lin Qian looked anxious, glancing at Qin Shili and Luo Xiaoxue on either side of Lin Nuo.

“Two sisters! Is it possible Third Brother’s head got hurt too badly?”

“You’re the one who’s hit your head!” Lin Nuo quickly retorted.

“Have you changed your personality? Calling me Third Brother now? Shouldn’t you still be calling me by my real name?”

“Sorry, Third Brother. My past behavior was rude and thoughtless; it was my ignorance. I didn’t understand how to respect you. Please forgive me.”

“Your lines sound familiar…”

Lin Nuo mused to himself.

Is this the treatment of the Dragon King protagonist?

Being oblivious and taking me for granted while my elite army sweeps away the Lin family?

And, of course, adding a signature move, a crooked grin?

No way, as an excellent villain, how could I fall into the clichés of a protagonist?

Lin Nuo hastily said:

“No, no! Just call me by my name. No need for respect—just act the way you did before.”

“I understand that Third Brother can’t easily forgive me given my past attitude,” Lin Qian replied.

“You understand nothing… You were just fine as you were; no need to change.”

“I know you’re being sarcastic. I used to lack respect; I was rude to you, thinking myself as talented when really, it was Third Brother who hid his prowess. If it weren’t for you, the entire city and the Lin family would be doomed.”

“That was Liu Shuqin’s doing,” Lin Nuo countered hurriedly.

“Everyone knows that Miss Liu created the antidote thanks to your guidance. The soldiers defending the city also witnessed how, after you left the city, the bizarre spiritual formations and oppressive atmosphere vanished. That must be your doing! All these accomplishments are beyond my reach,” Lin Qian proclaimed respectfully.

Lin Nuo: “…”

So this is why he didn’t want to come back—only to face a tirade of criticism. Lin Qian might be young, but she’s got a real talent for scolding!

Forget it, not going to argue with her.

“Where’s my mother?”

“In the manor. Since you’re back, we’ll host a feast to celebrate and pay our highest respects to you, Third Brother.”

“Is it not enough to just be scolded? Now you want a banquet to scold me?”

“Huh? Third Brother? I didn’t scold you!”

Lin Qian was confused, unsure how her respectful words could be construed as insults.

It must be that Third Brother felt dissatisfied and interpreted my respectful remarks as scolding.

She realized that her previous arrogance and rudeness had left a lasting impression, and it would take time to gain his forgiveness, but she was determined to change and hoped one day to earn his acknowledgment.

“Third Brother will work hard to change.”

“Don’t change; you were fine the way you were. Ugh, fine, I’m going inside to find my mother.”

The best approach with these people was to just avoid it; who knows where their thoughts would wander?

As Lin Nuo entered the Lin family manor, he encountered nobles and masters from various places, all respectful and offering high praise:

“Greetings, Knight Lin!”

“Greetings, Great Hero Lin!”

“Greetings, Distinguished Master Lin!”

Lin Nuo: “…”

Seriously? Are they all ganging up to roast me here?

Lin Nuo quickened his pace, ignoring them, and hurried to his mother’s room; it was time to take her away.

Xia Hanmo was stitching in her room, accompanied by three other young ladies.

With Lin Nuo’s arrival, the harmonious silence of the room was shattered.