Old Madam Lin frowned. If Lin Aotian were not present, she would have likely been rude to Lu Fan.
In Old Madam Lin's eyes, anyone who threatened the Lin family was ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.
"Guoli, do you think this matter is over?" Lin Aotian said coldly, "According to the Lin family rules, laying hands on a family member means expulsion from the Lin family!"
"Expelled from the Lin family?" Lin Haitao frowned. "I didn't do anything. I just wanted to cause trouble for that kid. If I'm expelled just like that, isn't it making a mountain out of a molehill?"
"Shut up!" Lin Guoli's face turned ashen. He quickly cupped his fists and said, "Big Brother, Haitao is indeed wrong. Expelling him from the Lin family seems too severe!"
"Then what do you suggest?" Lin Aotian said directly, "Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
"After returning to Jiangbei, I'll have Haitao start from the grassroots," Lin Guoli said with a wry smile. "It will be a good opportunity for him to temper himself and his temperament."
"Dad, I'm your biological son," Lin Haitao said with dissatisfaction. "I don't want to go to the grassroots."
"In that case, let it be!" Lin Aotian nodded. "If there's a next time, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Lin Guoli dared not say anything more. Lin Aotian held considerable power in the Lin family, and he did not dare to offend him lightly.
Returning to his room, Lin Haitao looked displeased. "Sooner or later, I'll deal with that kid. How dare he oppose me? He's so ignorant!"
"I think you should just forget it!" Lin Yalan clasped her hands. "If you stir up trouble again, even Dad won't be able to protect you."
"I say, sister, why are you siding with them?" Lin Haitao gave her a sideways glance. "I'm your biological brother."
"I'm not siding with them; I'm just telling you to behave yourself," Lin Yalan said directly. "Old Madam is sharp-eyed. As long as you please her, the Lin family will eventually fall into your hands. This is an undeniable fact."
After the ancestral worship was completed, everyone returned to Jiangbei, appearing quite weary.
Lin Ke and Lu Fan returned to their small courtyard and had a New Year's Eve dinner with Granny Guihua.
Meanwhile, outside the Lin family courtyard, several figures arrived, bringing with them several gifts that appeared quite precious.
Old Madam Lin and the others were drinking tea in the living room when Steward Wu hurried over. "Good news, great news!"
"Old Wu, what's happened?"
Old Madam Lin put down her teacup. "You're so happy this early in the morning!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Han Yunhai arrived at the living room with many gifts, accompanied by several people wearing sunglasses, exuding an imposing aura.
"Who is this?"
Lin Aotian stood up. Han Yunhai's presence was extraordinary, and with such a display, he was likely not an ordinary person.
"I am the sect leader of the Azure Dragon Sect in Jiangnan," Han Yunhai said with a smile. "These are gifts specially prepared by my lord."
"May I ask who your lord is?" Lin Aotian cupped his fists. "Why have you come to deliver gifts?"
"My Lord Lu is renowned throughout Jiangnan. I've come today to extend greetings," Han Yunhai said with a smile. "In three days, I will bring betrothal gifts. I hope the Lin family head will not refuse!"
"Lord Lu?"
Lin Aotian was slightly surprised. Although he was a big shot in Jiangbei, he was also well-informed about Jiangnan. In Jiangnan, Lord Lu's reputation was considerable, and even the reclusive families bowed to him. For such a person to send someone to propose marriage, even he dared not be negligent.
"So Lord Lu has taken a liking to my Lin family's daughter!" Lin Guoli quickly said with a smile. "Our Lin family is truly fortunate."
Han Yunhai said no more. After delivering the gifts, he left with his entourage. Lu Fan was to marry Lin Ke, and proper etiquette could not be neglected.
After they left, Lin Guoli happily said, "Lord Lu of Jiangnan is an exceptional figure. For him to take a liking to my Yalan! It is truly the fortune of our Lin family."
"I've heard that Lord Lu of Jiangnan is quite mysterious. He even manipulates the five reclusive families with ease," Steward Wu said repeatedly. "If the Lin family can form a marriage alliance with him, they might be able to advance to the capital in the future."
"Yalan has never been to Jiangnan. Is Lord Lu really marrying her?" Lin Aotian asked.
"If Lord Lu isn't marrying my sister, is he going to marry Lin Ke?" Lin Haitao said proudly. "Yalan is a big star. Lord Lu has probably been paying attention for a long time, otherwise, he wouldn't have sent someone to Jiangbei with such sincerity!"
Lin Aotian frowned. Lin Haitao had been disrespectful earlier, and he dared not say much. If Lin Yalan truly married Lord Lu, even he would have to be subservient.
"Wonderful, wonderful! My Lin family has hope," Old Madam Lin said, leaning on her cane, her face full of joy.
"He hasn't even said he wants to marry me yet!" Lin Yalan said shyly. "Lord Lu is really something. Even if he's interested in me, he should have notified me beforehand. Who proposes marriage so directly?"
"This shows his full sincerity!" Lin Guoli gave her a sideways glance. "Hurry up and get ready. When you marry into Jiangnan and become the wife of Lord Lu, your father will also benefit!"
At this point, Lin Guoli looked at Lin Aotian. "Big Brother, it seems that in the future, the Lin family will still have to rely on the second branch."
Lin Aotian's face turned ashen, and he said nothing more.
If Lin Yalan truly married Lord Lu, it would be uncertain who would be in charge of the entire Lin family.
Just then, Lin Ke also returned to the Lin family. She had already acknowledged her ancestors and was considered a member of the Lin family, so she naturally could not live outside.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw many gifts in the living room, including gold and silver jewelry, as well as many antique calligraphy and paintings.
"Sister Lin Ke, I'm getting married soon. These were all sent by my fiancé. If you like any of them, feel free to pick one," Lin Yalan said with a smile. "Once I marry into Jiangnan, I won't care for these things anymore!"
Lin Yalan's voice was indifferent, and her gaze was even more ostentatious, as if afraid Lin Ke wouldn't know she was marrying Lord Lu.
"I'm not interested in these things!" Lin Ke shook her head. "Sister is getting married so soon?"
"That's right, Lord Lu of Jiangnan personally came to propose!" Lin Yalan said proudly.
"Lord Lu of Jiangnan?" Lin Ke was stunned. Earlier, in the courtyard, Lu Fan had already informed her that he had sent Han Yunhai to deliver gifts and would bring betrothal gifts to the Lin family in three days.
She hadn't expected this misunderstanding. Lu Fan was going to marry her, not Yalan. She was very clear about this.
"Cough, cough... Could there be a mistake?" Lin Ke said awkwardly.
"A mistake?" Lin Haitao glanced at her. "Don't tell me you think Lord Lu of Jiangnan is here to marry you?"
Lin Ke wanted to say something, but stopped. Lu Fan was indeed here to marry her, but looking at Lin Haitao's expression, even if she said it, he probably wouldn't believe her.
"Marriage is a joyous occasion. As your uncle, I sincerely wish you well," Lin Aotian said directly. "Marrying into Jiangnan will bring nothing but benefits to the Lin family!"
"Old Wu, send people to prepare. We will hold a banquet tonight to reward Yalan," Old Madam Lin said, her face beaming with joy.
If Lin Yalan married Lord Lu, it would be easy for Lin Haitao to take over the entire Lin family in the future, and even Lin Aotian would not be able to stop him.