'Master Zhao, I'm relying entirely on you. Everyone knows how famous the Plain-Robed Ghosthand was in feng shui circles. You must know how many dignitaries went to seek his last divination. A promise involving a man like that isn't easily set aside, especially when I gave him my word.'
Lin Xianguo was still uneasy. Grandfather's reputation was formidable; a man's name cast a long shadow.
His name alone could frighten a great many people.
'I've told you, don't worry. If he were alive, I might tread carefully. But he's dead. What is there to fear? I've looked into his grandson, Li An. He's only a feng shui practitioner with a little superficial knowledge. Someone like that could never be a match for me. Put your mind at ease, Mr. Lin.'
Zhao Qiankun sounded very sure of himself.
His arrogance irritated me, especially when he belittled Grandfather.
I wanted to teach him a lesson for speaking so dismissively of Grandfather. In the end, I kept my temper and did nothing.
'Besides, with your wealth and standing, would you really give your daughter to a useless mediocrity like Li An? My grandson is the best match for her. His fate pattern is exceptional, and Heaven has favored him with extraordinary destined fortune. Joined with your daughter, he could keep the Lin family safe and prosperous for ten generations.'
Zhao Qiankun offered this next argument abruptly.
So that was what the old fox was after.
No wonder he kept urging Lin Xianguo to break Grandfather's marriage arrangement. He wanted his own grandson to marry Lin Yueru. There was self-interest behind it all.
'Well... We can discuss that later.' Lin Xianguo did not agree outright. Perhaps something still troubled him.
Zhao Qiankun suggested that his grandson spend more time with Lin Yueru. After a few more persuasive words, he finally left.
Not long after he got into his car, I stepped out of my corner.
Lin Xianguo was about to go back inside when he saw me. Surprised, he came over. 'An, what brings you here? You should have called your uncle first. Now, just because I don't agree to your marriage with Yueru, that doesn't mean I've forgotten what your grandfather did for me. I wouldn't dare. Come in, come in.'
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He warmly invited me into the house.
He had chosen his words so carefully that there was nothing to fault. I could understand, to a degree, why he opposed the marriage.
However powerful Grandfather had been, he was dead. Lin Xianguo was now immensely wealthy and held a prominent place in society.
Anyone might hesitate to give his daughter to a raw young lad from a mountain village.
As for his courtesy, he was a public figure. He had his reputation to consider.
Besides, the things he had offered me would cost him very little now.
He led me into the sitting room and asked me to sit.
Apart from a few servants cleaning, no other member of the Lin family was there.
I looked around, but saw no sign of Lin Yueru. I was disappointed.
Perhaps he guessed why I had come. He gave a small cough. 'Don't keep looking, An. Yueru's gone out. Think over what I told you a few hours ago. If you agree to end the betrothal, I'll give you a substantial fortune and a very promising future. Consider it carefully.'
'Uncle Lin, the marriage isn't mine to decide. I understand what you're thinking, but I'm following Grandfather's arrangements. You know that every step he took had a deeper purpose. I can't disregard it.'
I sipped the tea he had poured. Its fragrance was rich; it was very fine tea.
My words carried more than one meaning. An old fox like Lin Xianguo could hardly have missed it.
His hand stiffened around his cup for a moment. Then he smiled again. 'An, we're living in a new age. We should put our faith in science, not cling to old superstitions. Your grandfather is gone. You needn't obey everything he said. Even the ancients said that a general in the field may decline his sovereign's orders.'
'Do you really disbelieve in feng shui, Uncle Lin? Didn't you have someone arrange this feng shui formation, the Azure Dragon Offering the Pearl? Its requirements are exacting: the terrain, the configuration of the heavens, the orientation, and a special formation must all come together. You must have gone to considerable trouble when you built this house.'
I had little desire to fence with him. With a cold smile, I said what was on my mind.
His expression froze. He looked at me in surprise.
He had probably never expected me to recognize the formation.
Perhaps the feng shui master who designed it had told him as much.
An ordinary practitioner would scarcely be able to identify it.
'All right, An. Marriage is one matter; everything else is another. Ask me for anything else and I'll agree. But we should decide this marriage more carefully. It isn't a small matter, and it means a great deal for your future too. Give it some thought.' At first, he looked embarrassed.
But after so many years of worldly experience, he soon recovered and politely turned me down as though nothing had happened.
I was about to say more when a woman's scream came from the second floor.
I knew that voice. Lin Yueru!
My expression changed, and Lin Xianguo gave a start. We leaped up from the sofa and hurried upstairs.
At the door of the room where the scream had come from, he pounded twice. No one opened it.
We could only hear Lin Yueru's terrified cries inside.
'Yueru, what's wrong? What happened? Open the door!' he shouted anxiously.