Chapter 145: Lin Hongda Stands Up for Justice

At Lin Wenyan's remark, Lin Sangqian suddenly remembered that someone named Lin Xiong existed. They had previously spotted him skulking about the alleyways, but indeed, he had been nowhere to be seen for the past few days.

Could it be that Aunt Xia had found Lin Xiong useless and chased him away? Lin Sangqian frowned but did not dwell on it.

Before long, the guests began to arrive one after another. Kang Ya arrived with Guan Yanqing, though the two had not traveled in the same carriage. They were not particularly close; despite departing from the Yu residence together, they appeared as strangers. Kang Ya brought many gifts and kept a smile on her face, yet Lin Sangqian still noticed she seemed somewhat haggard and troubled.

"Madam Kang, are you alright?" Lin Sangqian whispered when no one was nearby.

Kang Ya sighed. "I haven't seen him for days, I... oh, never mind."

With that, Lin Sangqian understood everything. Yu Jingxiao was away on business and had yet to return—so, was it Yu Jingxiao that Kang Ya was in love with? If so, it meant they were not blood relatives. But since Kang Ya lived at the Yu residence and others addressed her as "Madam," what was her true relationship with him? A bold guess sprouted in Lin Sangqian's mind.

Seeing Kang Ya’s dejected expression, she changed the subject. "My father hasn't returned in a long time either. This is the first time I've spent the Dragon Boat Festival without him. I even made his favorite meat zongzi, though I don't know when he'll be back."

"What? Meat zongzi?" An Yu, who happened to be passing by, overheard her and his eyes widened like copper bells. "There's such a thing as meat zongzi in this world?"

Lin Sangqian: "..."

An Yu and his companions were from the capital, where, in the north, they surely only ate sweet zongzi.

"It's alright, I made sweet ones too," Lin Sangqian consoled him. "I put red dates in them."

"What's wrong with meat zongzi?" Lin Wenyan walked over. "We've always eaten meat zongzi. Haven't you?"

"Zongzi should obviously be sweet! They're only good when dipped in sugar."

Lin Wenyan twisted his brows into a knot and shook his head repeatedly. "If you don't put meat in a zongzi, can you even call it food?"

"Nonsense! Sweet zongzi is the best!"

"No! Meat zongzi!"

"I can't take it anymore! Let's fight!"

"Bring it on! Who's afraid of you!"

Lin Sangqian’s mouth twitched. She pulled Kang Ya toward the soup she was simmering, reminding the others, "If you're going to fight, go outside. And don't scare the passersby."

The two actually went outside to fight over the zongzi. Zhao Lan’er, looking worried, followed them out to watch.

"That Miss Zhao... she likes your older brother, doesn't she?" Kang Ya asked with a smile.

"You could tell?" Lin Sangqian was very surprised.

"Of course. The way someone looks at the person they love cannot be hidden. Sangqian, is there anyone you like?"

"Me?" Lin Sangqian shook her head. "I'm only ten!"

"Your body may be ten, but I see your heart is far older than that," Kang Ya said, hitting the nail on the head. "Still, I'm quite curious—what kind of man would be worthy of a girl as exceptional as you?"

"Oh, let's not talk about that." Lin Sangqian lifted the lid of the pot. The aroma of corn, mushroom, and pork rib soup wafted out, and Kang Ya couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Sangqian, you made this soup?"

"Yes, it should be ready now. Come, have a taste and see if anything is missing."

She used a small bowl and spoon to serve a portion to Kang Ya. After blowing on it to cool it down, Kang Ya took a sip and couldn't help but narrow her eyes in delight. "It's delicious! Sangqian, how did you make this? Hehe, give me another bowl."

Lin Sangqian served her another, cautioning, "Don't drink too much; there are still many dishes to come."

"Mm-hmm." Kang Ya nodded while drinking. "You'll have to teach me someday."

"Of course, no problem. Now try these braised chicken wings..."

...

Meanwhile, on a secluded path, a group of people was traveling forward. Yu Jingxiao sat in his carriage and lifted the curtain, saying to Lin Hongda, who was sitting in front, with a look of guilt, "Guard Lin, I'm truly sorry. I couldn't make it back before the Dragon Boat Festival and delayed you from spending the holiday with your family."

"It's nothing. Since I am your personal guard, I should be by your side," Lin Hongda replied. "Besides, my family will surely understand." Though, in truth, he missed his wife, his daughter, and his three sons so much his heart ached.

Fortunately, they would be home in two more days.

"Young Master, someone said there is an inn not far ahead. Let's rest there for a while," one of the guards in front suggested.

"Very well."

As they passed through a patch of woods, several people suddenly burst out, giving them a start. "Who goes there!"

Lin Hongda reacted with lightning speed, jumping down and drawing the saber Yu Jingxiao had given him. He knew much more than just Taekwondo.

A thick, pungent scent of blood rushed toward them, and Lin Hongda couldn't help but frown. There were four people in total; two were dressed as soldiers and appeared injured, supporting a man who looked severely wounded, his chest still bleeding. There was also a young girl, no more than eleven or twelve years old.

"Who are you?" Lin Hongda asked.

Seeing them, the girl immediately wept, begging for help. "Please, save my father! He is gravely injured... and there are people chasing us!"

At this moment, Yu Jingxiao stepped off the carriage. Seeing the severely wounded man, his expression changed. "Isn't this General Xiao? How did you..."

"Do you know my father?" The girl looked at him as if he were a savior. "Please, save him!"

"You are General Xiao's daughter? Don't worry, let's get him onto the carriage and we'll figure something out at the inn ahead..."

Before Yu Jingxiao could finish, about a dozen more people burst from the woods. They held swords and blades, and their attire was quite strange. Yu Jingxiao took one look and said in a deep voice, "Yidian warriors! No wonder... no wonder they were hunting down General Xiao!"

The two soldiers shielded General Xiao, gritting their teeth and preparing to resist to the death as they faced the dozen Yidian men. Yu Jingxiao calculated in his heart; he had brought about a dozen guards, and with Lin Hongda, who was worth ten men on his own, they still had a chance of winning.

"You! Hand them over to us! Don't... meddle in things that don't concern you!" the leader of the Yidian men spoke. His accent was strange, as if he were unaccustomed to speaking the common tongue.

Lin Hongda looked at Yu Jingxiao and asked, "Young Master, shall we strike?"