N.B: This Chapter will be written in third person’s pov and might switch to a character’s pov in the next Chapter. Please, take note!

Just as Anning had walked out of the room, the door sliding shut behind her, the atmosphere she left behind her turned into something utterly uncomfortable.

The receiving room, which had moments ago been filled with Tang Jiangxuan’s easy laughter and Anning who could barely maintain her polite smile, suddenly felt smaller...in a bad way.

General Gu tapped his fingers against the low table in front of him once before going still. His narrowed eyes swept across the room before stopping at the two guests seated opposite him.

Tang Jiangxuan appeared to be utterly relaxed. His shoulders were slumped slightly as he took another sip of his tea.

He looked as though he had not just disrupted the harmonious atmosphere this room once had. Beside him, the silver haired man remained composed, even though his eyes were slightly glazed over.

Young Master Lin.

General Gu let out a small sigh, the name ’Lin’ echoed in his head.

He briefly allowed his thoughts to drift toward the silver haired slave who had just walked out of this room. Lin Anning.

They had the exact same surname, held the same color of hair, although Anning’s green eyes were a shade darker than that of the young master. The resemblance between them was uncanny.

He found this to be nothing but impossible, Anning was a mere slave and a troublesome one at that.

She had been bought and brought back to the Gu residence with no notable background, she hadn’t even been given basic etiquette training.

And yet, when his gaze briefly landed on Young Master Lin’s expressionless face, he didn’t know what to think.

If that silver haired slave truly belonged to a noble family, then that would change everything.

The realization made something heavy settle in General Gu’s chest. Eventually, he spoke.

"Young master Lin, Young master Tang." He said calmly, not bothering to hide the curiosity in his voice. "Why exactly have you come here?"

Tang Jiangxuan smiles immediately, as though he had been waiting for someone to ask.

"Why else would we be here?" He asked. "We came here to visit Gu Wanqing, of course."

His dark blue eyes curved slightly as he continued, "We heard of her forthcoming nuptials and wished to offer her our congratulations and presence."

He unfolded a fan he had brought from his sleeves. He waved it around lazily before speaking again, "That, and we are here to officially invite the Gu family to the Tang family’s spring festival banquet."

"The spring festival banquet?" Gu Ruiqing repeated, making Jiangxuan nod.

"We all know my family hosts one every year. We thought it only proper to extend an invitation in person."

Gu Ruiqing’s lips curved into something that didn’t quite look like a smile.

"Surely you could’ve sent a servant to have the invitation delivered." She said smoothly, picking up her cup of tea. There was no need for both Young Masters to travel all this way merely for that."

Tang Jiangxuan blinked, the smile on his face fell as he tilted his head to the side.

"Madam Gu, are you trying to say we aren’t welcome in your home?" He asked.

Gu Ruiqing had just taken a sip of her tea. At his words, she nearly choked.

Cough.

Her eyes widened in alarm as hot tea spilled out of her mouth. She placed the tea back on the table and hurriedly grabbed a small kerchief.

"Of course not," she said quickly, dabbing the cloth on her lips. "I simply meant..."

"That is enough. Compose yourself." General Gu said coldly, interrupting her.

Although he was speaking to his wife, his eyes never left the guests.

Gu Ruiqing stiffened before slowly lowering her gaze. "My apologies."

Tang Jiangxuan pretended not to notice or rather, it wasn’t anything new. He lowered his face and glanced at the man beside him.

Young Master Lin slowly rose to his feet, blatantly ignoring Jiangxuan’s gaze. He moved gracefully and the only sound that could be heard was his pale robes shuffling as he straightened it.

Tang Jiangxuan stared up at him with a frown before asking, "So, we’re leaving already?"

Considering how loud Tang Jiangxuan’s voice was, many people would see this as an insult. But the young master of the Tang family was known for this particular behavior of his

General Gu’s expression darkened almost immediately.

"We would not wish to impose upon the Gu family any further." Young Master Lin said.

His tone remained even as he spoke. Devoid of any emotion and one couldn’t even tell if he was being polite or impolite.

Tang Jiangxuan sighed dramatically before pushing himself to his feet.

"What a pity." He murmured, stretching lazily. "We’ll take our leave then."

General Gu remained seated. He didn’t bother standing, nor made any move to escort them out.

He merely took a sip of his tea before saying, "I hope you get home in good health."

The subtle dismissal in his words did not go unnoticed.

Tang Jiangxuan smirked at the old man before shaking his head slightly.

While young master Lin, appeared entirely unaffected.

Seeing that her husband wasn’t escorting them out, Gu Ruiqing quickly stood. "I’ll escort the Young Masters out."

This time, General Gu did not stop her. She forced a smile onto her face and stepped ahead of them.

"Please, come this way." She said, directing them to the exit.

Tang Jiangxuan followed her cheerfully and then muttered, "You are too kind Madam Gu."

The smile on Gu Ruiqing’s face twitched at his words. Young Master Lin walked behind them in utter silence.

But just as they stepped out of the receiving room, his pale green eyes moved to the exit Anning had disappeared into earlier.

He glanced toward the direction no longer than a heartbeat before pulling his gaze away.

By the time Gu Ruiqing returned to the receiving room, the carefully maintained smile vanished from her face entirely.

She slid the door closed behind her, watching General Gu, who was still seated in the same position she had left him in.

"What do you think?" Ruiqing asked, taking a step closer to him.

At first, General Gu didn’t reply. Then, he said in a low and controlled voice.

"Get Wanqing and have her meet me in my study."

Gu Ruiqing hesitated for a few seconds before asking, "Do you suspect something?"

"I do not care whether that girl is truly a slave or not." He said, turning to face Ruiqing.

"But if there is even the slightest possibility that Lin Anning has connections to the Lin family. Then, I intend to know how deeply my daughter has involved herself."