Old Mrs. Lin frowned. If Lin Aotian weren't present, she would have been rude to Lu Fan.
To her, 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, anyone who lays hands on a family member will be expelled from the Lin family!"
"Expelled from the Lin family?" Lin Haitao frowned. "I didn't do anything, I just wanted to find that brat's trouble. If I'm expelled just like this, isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?"
"Shut up!" Lin Guoli's face turned ashen. He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Big brother, Haitao is indeed wrong, but expelling him from the Lin family is too harsh!"
"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's a good opportunity to temper his will and train him."
"Dad, I'm your son." Lin Haitao was displeased. "I don't want to go to the grassroots."
"Since that's the case, let it be!" Lin Aotian nodded. "If there's a next time, don't blame me for being heartless!"
Lin Guoli didn't dare to say more. Lin Aotian held considerable power in the Lin family, and he didn't dare to offend him easily.
Back in the room, Lin Haitao looked displeased. "Sooner or later, I'll deal with that brat. He dares to go against me, he's truly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!"
"I think you should just forget it!" Lin Yalan clasped her hands together. "If you cause 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 real brother."
"I'm not siding with them, I'm just telling you to behave yourself," Lin Yalan said directly. "Old Mrs. Lin is sharp-eyed. As long as you please her, the Lin family will fall into your hands in the future, this is an undeniable fact."
After the ancestral ceremony was completed, everyone returned to Jiangbei, looking quite exhausted.
Lin Ke and Lu Fan returned to the small courtyard and had a New Year's Eve dinner with Grandma Guihua.
Meanwhile, outside the Lin family courtyard, several figures arrived, bearing gifts that appeared quite precious.
Old Mrs. Lin and the others were drinking tea in the living room when Steward Wu hurried in, "Good news, great news!"
"Old Wu, what's wrong?"
Old Mrs. Lin put down her teacup. "Why are you 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 men wearing sunglasses, exuding an imposing aura.
"Who is this?"
Lin Aotian stood up. Han Yunhai had an extraordinary presence, and with such an entourage, he was likely no ordinary person.
"I am the sect leader of the Qinglong 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 clasped his hands. "And why have you come to deliver gifts?"
"My Lord Lu is renowned throughout Jiangnan. I have come today to greet you," 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 knew Jiangnan quite well. In Jiangnan, Lord Lu's reputation was considerable, and even the hidden aristocratic families bowed to him. Such a prominent figure sending 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. "My Lin family is truly fortunate."
Han Yunhai said no more. After delivering the gifts, he left with his entourage. Since Lu Fan was to marry Lin Ke, proper etiquette could not be neglected.
After they left, Lin Guoli happily said, "Lord Lu of Jiangnan is an extraordinary figure. To have taken a liking to my Yalan! It is truly the fortune of my Lin family."
"I've heard that Lord Lu of Jiangnan is quite mysterious, and that he can manipulate even the five hidden aristocratic families with ease," Steward Wu said repeatedly. "If the Lin family can marry him, they might be able to advance into 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 smugly. "Yalan is a big star. Lord Lu has likely 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, so he dared not say much. If Lin Yalan were truly to marry Lord Lu, even he would have to be subservient.
"Wonderful, wonderful! My Lin family has hope!" Old Mrs. Lin struck her cane, her face filled with joy.
"He hasn't even said he wants to marry yet!" Lin Yalan said shyly. "Lord Lu is truly something. Even if he has feelings for me, he should have notified me beforehand. Who proposes marriage directly like this?"
"This is showing full sincerity!" Lin Guoli gave her a sideways glance. "Hurry up and get ready. When you marry into Jiangnan and become Lady Lu, your father will also gain prestige!"
At this point, Lin Guoli looked at Lin Aotian. "Big brother, it seems that in the future, the Lin family will still depend on the second branch."
Lin Aotian's face turned ashen, and he said nothing more.
If Lin Yalan were to marry Lord Lu, it was uncertain who would be in charge of the entire Lin family.
Just then, Lin Ke also returned to the Lin family. She had been acknowledged by her ancestors and was considered a member of the Lin family, so she naturally couldn't 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 antique calligraphy and paintings.
"Sister Lin Ke, I'm getting married soon. These are all gifts from my fiancé. If you like any of them, you can pick one casually," 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 any of these!" Lin Ke shook her head. "Sister, you're 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 startled. Lu Fan had already informed her earlier in the courtyard 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 marrying her, not Yalan, and she knew this very clearly.
"Ahem... could it be a mistake?" Lin Ke said awkwardly.
"A mistake?" Lin Haitao glanced at her. "Could it be that you think Lord Lu of Jiangnan has come to marry you?"
Lin Ke hesitated to speak. Of course, Lu Fan had come 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. Tonight, I will host a banquet to reward Yalan," Old Mrs. Lin said, her face beaming with joy.
With Lin Yalan marrying Lord Lu, it would be easy for Lin Haitao to take over the entire Lin family in the future, and even Lin Aotian wouldn't be able to stop him.