Chapter 269: Miss Lin’s Older Cousin

On the streets of Luo City, Lin Xun continued walking while carrying the Little White Rabbit on his back.

As they walked, Lin Xun suddenly noticed many women looking in one direction, then looking back down at their own chests, immediately falling into a state of deep insecurity.

Many men, after turning to look, could no longer pull their gazes away, only to be stepped on by their girlfriends. Snapping back to reality, they would then chase after their jealous partners.

At this point, Lin Xun had already guessed who it was.

Lin Xun quickly carried Zhu Ling and pushed through the crowd!

“Sister Nongqin.”

“Young Master Lin… Xiao Ling…”

Seeing Nong Qin, Zhu Ling’s long legs, which were wrapped around Lin Xun’s back, began to kick restlessly as she tried to get down.

The young woman, who was already wearing loose clothing and even a Chest Binder yet still possessed a stunning figure, also hurried toward Lin Xun.

Seeing Zhu Ling’s lively feet, Lin Xun’s brow twitched slightly.

He knew this Little White Rabbit’s foot must have healed; she just didn’t want to walk and was taking advantage of him.

“Sister Nongqin, this Big Bad Guy is bullying me.”

The Little White Rabbit, her eyes misty, pointed at this scumbag Lin Xun.

“Ah…” Hearing Zhu Ling’s tearful complaint, Jiang Nongqin was a bit at a loss.

Jiang Nongqin looked toward Lin Xun, her eyes shimmering as her heart began to race.

What should I do? I also want to be bullied by the Young Master…

“I just took Miss Zhu Ling to the Haunted House for a bit,” Lin Xun stepped forward and explained. “We accidentally got separated.”

“Liar.” The Little White Rabbit raised her foot from under her skirt and lightly kicked Lin Xun’s shin, her small fists raining down on his chest—though it felt more like a massage. “You clearly abandoned me, you didn’t want me…”

“That’s not important. Look, didn’t I help you find Miss Jiang?”

Just as the Little White Rabbit was about to bite him, Lin Xun held her head back. She couldn’t move a step forward; her two fair arms flailed about, but she simply couldn’t reach him.

Seeing Zhu Ling and Lin Xun playing around, a flash of envy flickered in Jiang Nongqin’s eyes.

If only I could be this close with Young Master Lin…

“Alright, stop messing around.” Lin Xun flicked Zhu Ling’s forehead, making the Little White Rabbit’s eyes grow misty with pain once more.

“On my way back to the Haunted House to pick up Miss Zhu Ling, I heard people saying there was a delicate and beautiful young lady at the Poetry Garden. I figured it must be Miss Sikong.”

Time was running out. Although Lin Xun really wanted to go pick up Wang Xing from the Poetry Garden, if he didn’t go find Qinger soon, he was afraid he would be in big trouble.

“The poetry gathering at the Poetry Garden should be ending now. You two can go check the entrance.”

With those words, without waiting for Nong Qin or Zhu Ling to say anything more, Lin Xun gave a cupped-hand salute and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

“Big Bad Guy, he left me again…” Watching Lin Xun vanish into the sea of people, Zhu Ling pouted and muttered dejectedly.

“Because Young Master Lin needs to accompany Miss Qinger too.”

Nong Qin smiled and took Zhu Ling’s small hand. In her heart, she was very envious that Sister Zhu Ling had been found by the Young Master, had spent the Ice and Snow Festival with him, and had even been carried on his back.

I wonder if I will ever have such an opportunity in the future…

“Sister Nongqin?” Seeing Nong Qin lost in thought, Zhu Ling called out softly. “Is something on your mind, Sister Nongqin?”

“No, it’s nothing.” Nong Qin shook her head, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Let’s go find Sister Wangxing.”

“Mm!”

Jiang Nongqin and Zhu Ling soon arrived at the Poetry Garden. Just as Lin Xun had said, the poetry gathering had just ended, and the scholars and beauties were all walking out.

However, why did these scholars and beauties all look a bit dazed? And they seemed to be muttering something under their breaths.

Something about “Dimming Lanterns”?

It was as if everyone was possessed.

“Miss Lin! Please, you must let this Old Man meet your older cousin!”

“Miss Lin! This Old Man has no other hobbies except for cherishing talent!”

“Miss Lin! Such a grandmaster of poetry and song! If I do not meet him, I will regret it for the rest of my life!”

Just as Jiang Nongqin and Zhu Ling finally saw Sikong Wangxing coming out, they noticed an Old Man following her.

Why did this Old Man keep calling Miss Sikong “Miss Lin”?

And what was this “older cousin” business all about?

At this moment, Sikong Wangxing also noticed Jiang Nongqin and Zhu Ling and hurried toward them.

“Eh? Miss Lin, don’t leave! I truly want to meet your older cousin!”

The Old Man pursued relentlessly, quickly catching up.

“Hey! Old Grandpa! If you keep pestering Sister Wangxing, I’ll… I’ll… I’ll call for help!”

Zhu Ling blocked the Old Man’s path. Originally, she wanted to say she would hit him, but then she thought that hitting an old person probably wasn’t right.

“No, no.” Qi Yu hurriedly waved his hands. “Little girl, you’ve misunderstood. I only wish to make the acquaintance of this Miss Lin’s older cousin. I have no other intentions.”

“It’s Young Master Lin.”

Sikong Wangxing said softly.

“Young Master Lin wrote a poem anonymously. However, after finishing it, he didn’t participate in the gathering. As a result… as a result, this old grandpa has been wanting to meet him.”

“The Big Bad Guy?” Zhu Ling was shocked. “The Big Bad Guy knows how to write poetry?”

“Eh, little sister, you are mistaken.”

Qi Yu stroked his beard.

“This poem is truly exquisite. Barring any surprises, in a matter of days, it will spread throughout the Qian Kingdom and even to other dynasties. It can already be said to be a masterpiece for the ages!”

Hearing the old grandpa’s high praise, Zhu Ling’s mouth hung open in an ‘O’ shape.

“Old Grandpa, since Big Brother Lin wrote the poem anonymously, it wouldn’t be right for Wang Xing to reveal his identity. I’m truly sorry.”

How could I possibly reveal it?

If Big Brother Lin’s real name gets out and Sister Qinger finds out he wrote a poem for me—especially that last line…

I would only bring trouble to Big Brother Lin.

“Miss Lin, please listen to this Old Man.”

“Old Grandpa, Wang Xing will take her leave now.” Sikong Wangxing gave a slight bow and pulled Zhu Ling and Nong Qin into the crowd.

“Eh? Miss Lin, don’t go! Miss Lin…”

Just as the Old Man was feeling distressed at the thought of not being able to meet such a grandmaster of poetry, Madam Wang walked over gracefully.

“Lord Qi,” Madam Wang bowed slightly.

“Madam Wang.”

Seeing the Abbot of the Poetry Garden, Madam Wang, approaching, the Old Man also gave a cupped-hand salute.

Although Madam Wang was merely the relative of a wealthy merchant and a Secondary Wife, and Qi Yu, as a high-ranking official, did not need to return the salute…

…Qi Yu did so anyway.

Firstly, Qi Yu truly didn’t put on airs. Secondly, having witnessed the birth of a poem destined to be passed down through the ages tonight, he was in an excellent mood.

“Lord Qi, it’s a bit improper to keep pestering a young lady like that,” Madam Wang teased.

“It was indeed a bit rude, but I only wanted to know the name of that young lady’s older cousin.” At this, Qi Yu sighed heavily. “It’s just a pity that the cousin of such a great talent is so tight-lipped.”

“Actually, Lord Qi, what you don’t know is that Sister Wangxing isn’t actually Young Master Lin’s cousin.”