Chapter 707: Are You Polite?

Chapter 707: Are You Polite?

Outside the hall, the servants’ excited chatter spilled in, barely contained as one juicy piece of gossip after another fluttered through the air, drawing everyone’s attention outward.

Perfect timing! Just as they were discussing Qin Shili, she returned. What a coincidence!

“Haha, looks like Lord Qin is well-prepared to give me, Zhao, a surprise. Now that your precious daughter is back, I trust you can speak a few good words for me!” Zhao Kuo’s tone flipped like a pancake, going from a sarcastic edge sprinkled with threats to a facade of respect and courtesy. Those who mix in noble circles are truly adept at changing their expressions faster than one could blink.

Qin Zhu was torn between joy and worry. It was good that his daughter had returned, but she had returned at the worst possible time—with Zhao Kuo and Qin Dao present, he feared it might turn unfavorable for her.

“Second Uncle, it’s perfect timing for Sister Shili’s return. I still hope this beautiful union can come to fruition for the prosperity of both the Qin and Zhao families!” Qin Dao chimed in, spouting nonsense. This Qin family wasn’t just any regular family—it was his faction!

Qin Zhu had no choice but to accompany Zhao Kuo and Qin Dao to welcome Qin Shili back.

The three stepped out of the reception room, and as they gazed down the corridor, they spotted the noble silver-haired girl gracefully making her way toward them, each movement radiating elegance and poise.

She was different now—previously, Qin Shili was as cold as ice, unfeeling and distant, someone you could only admire from afar. A mere glance from her could chill the warmth in any room.

But now was different! Underneath her seemingly proud and aloof demeanor, there was a hint of a smile, like a long-frozen iceberg greeting the gentle spring breeze, bringing life back to all that languished in despair.

Previously, everyone deemed her unfeeling, yet at this moment, she seemed to have discovered emotions, like an ordinary young girl encountering her beloved.

And here was the kicker—she was happily entwining her arm with that of a young man as they walked together. Qin Shili leaned against him purposefully, her soft bosom brushing against his arm, evoking extreme envy among onlookers.

The young man looked like someone blessed by the heavens, basking in Qin Shili’s attention—a true winner in life!

Everyone was left dumbfounded, whispering amongst themselves. After all, the Qin family had long rejected suitors, and Qin Shili appeared to have transcended the mundane; who could have expected her to be so intimate with a boy now?

As for the young man, he wore a majestic white robe, exuding a charm of elegance and grace as if he were enveloped in an ethereal aura. The servant girls in the manor were practically swooning at the sight.

He had intended to dress casually, but as Qin Shili’s husband, there was no way she would allow that! She insisted on taking him to get a proper outfit, meticulously choosing a noble and clean ensemble before dressing him up.

Plus, Lin Nuo was already a son of a renowned family; he just lacked an upper-class appearance. Now, freshly styled, he carried a refined demeanor as if he had just stepped out of an epic poem from the Tang Dynasty.

They were the perfect match—handsome and beautiful, a couple made in heaven, radiating brilliance that lit up the whole place.

Qin Zhu and the others were taken aback. It seemed that every time Qin Shili returned, she brought something astonishing with her—a handsome young man, no less!

What was happening here?

Qin Zhu recognized the young man; he had seen him at the Lin family’s big celebration, where Qin Shili had shown interest in an alliance with the Lin family, specifically Lin Nuo. At the time, he thought she was just saying it without any intent to pursue that topic, but now it seemed like she was dead serious.

Zhao Kuo was utterly crushed—how could the girl he came to propose to be so close with another young man? Wasn’t that a slap in the face?

Breathe in, breathe out.

“Shili, you’re back!” Qin Zhu rushed forward to greet her, wanting to put some matters straight before Zhao Kuo could intervene.

“Mm, I’m back, Father. What a coincidence, we have guests today,” she replied casually.

“Yes, guests! Shili, this must be young brother Lin Nuo, right? The third son of the Lin family, indeed a distinguished guest!” Qin Zhu said.

“Father, he’s not a guest. He is my husband, part of the family now,” Qin Shili declared.

“Husband???”

Qin Zhu was shocked! He was Qin Shili’s father—how could he not know about this son-in-law?

“Shili, what’s going on here? Don’t joke around. Lin Nuo is from a prominent family, and if you marry, the families must meet to settle the engagement. Your mother and I haven’t heard anything about this!”

“Well, now you know, Father. It’s fine; we don’t have a formal engagement yet, but we can sort that out later. In any case, he is my husband, and I’ve made my choice,” Qin Shili spoke firmly, raising her voice slightly so that Zhao Kuo could hear.

Lin Nuo thought maybe it was time to shout it through a megaphone—everyone in the manor and the world should know!

He had just bumped into Qin Dao at Ziyuan Mountain, and here he was again at the Qin residence—awkward!

But Qin Dao didn’t feel awkward at all; he was a seasoned actor, playing it cool as though they had never crossed paths before.

As long as he remained unbothered, the awkwardness would fall on others. What a solid mindset!

Lin Nuo also pretended not to recognize him. Let’s see who could keep up the act better.

And then there was the serendipitous encounter with Zhao Kuo. What luck! He had just snatched Zhao Kuo’s proposal target; the poor guy had to be fuming.

Good, he should be upset!

Lin Nuo didn’t have a great impression of the Zhao family. He held a grudge. While the Zhao family and the Lin family once had good relations, the Lin family often suffered oppression, and Zhao Kuo had been one of the oppressors back then.

But that wasn’t the main point. The point was, in his past life, Zhao Kuo had come perilously close to ending his own!

Roughly when he had just escaped from the Xuanyun Sect, Zhao Kuo and his cronies had intercepted him, almost capturing him!

At that time, he had jumped into a raging river, getting swept away for ages before reaching the shore. Somehow, he had cheated death and escaped pursuit, ultimately stepping into the realm of demon disciples.

Zhao Kuo and Qin Dao had been in cahoots, and they had even colluded with people from the Xuanyun Sect. Truly despicable! After he was framed, they all wanted to catch him!

Thinking back, in his past life, he had almost become a scapegoat for them! They couldn’t just continue living their carefree lives!

Now, Zhao Kuo was seething, but after a moment of contemplation, he thought perhaps Qin Shili had specially invited Lin Nuo to help her out, all while keeping his smile intact.

He strolled over to Qin Shili, offering a formal bow.

“Miss Qin, what a coincidence! I just arrived at the Qin residence, and here you are—what fate, indeed!”

“Is there something you need, Young Master Zhao?” Qin Shili replied coolly.

“Miss Qin, I have long admired you. The Qin and Zhao families are both prestigious; if we were to unite through marriage…”

“Sorry, but I must decline your feelings, Young Master Zhao. I already have a husband. This is him, my husband, Lin Nuo.”

Qin Shili introduced her charming, handsome partner, and Zhao Kuo maintained his calm demeanor, responding evenly:

“Miss Qin, marrying is no small matter; your Qin family is a large clan. Even my uncle just mentioned that the Qin family knows nothing about this alliance. It’s not that I’m doubtful, but this is truly hard to believe.”

“Do we need your stamp of approval to get married?”

Lin Nuo interjected, pulling Qin Shili close.

“Is it polite to propose to someone else’s wife?”