Dragon Tamer

The number of guests wasn’t particularly large, around one or two hundred people.

The banquet was exquisite and luxurious, with fine wines warming on small candle holders, carved wine pots purposely placed atop them. The taste was pleasantly warm and sweet, with a very nice texture.

In this regard, Luo Shaoyan hadn’t deceived himself.

The wine was really good.

The groom was already dressed and ready, carrying himself with the air of a man on his wedding day, firmly believing that the woman he had chosen would dazzle everyone.

This man was Lin Yan, whose appearance was quite agreeable and his behavior showed nothing unreliable, probably due to being in front of his family’s guests.

Zhu Minglang and Luo Shaoyan had already drunk several cups, but the bride had not yet appeared.

After making toasts back and forth, Lin Yan’s face was no longer as pleasant as before.

“Women, well, they’re never quite satisfied with their makeup, so it takes them longer. Please, Uncle, be patient and wait a little longer,” Lin Yan said with a smile, showing respect to the middle-aged man before him.

“That may be so, but there’s no reason for us elders to wait this long. Which family’s girl is this, lacking in manners?” an old lady commented.

“Good things come to those who wait, good things come to those who wait. It’s rare for our Lin Yan to finally set his heart on marrying.”

“Yes, I also want to see which family’s girl is so fortunate.”

As the night deepened, guests had already gone through three rounds of drinks, yet the bride was nowhere to be seen.

If they waited any longer, the banquet would be over.

Lin Yan’s face began to look ugly.

He looked toward the open gates of the mansion, his eyes growing dark.

“Master Lin, should we go and fetch her ourselves?” one of the dandies at Lin Yan’s side suggested quietly.

“Hmph, she knows the consequences. I don’t believe she has the guts. However, go and warn her that if she doesn’t show up before the gong sounds, I’ll make sure she regrets it deeply!” Lin Yan said.

“No problem; there’s no shortage of ungrateful women in this world,” the young dandy said with a cold snort.

…

The dandy strode quickly towards the outside of the mansion.

Zhu Minglang and Luo Shaoyan were drinking when the dandy saw Luo Shaoyan and approached him.

“Luo Shaoyan, come on, help me with something,” Li Bo said.

“You’re not going to kidnap her, are you? I can’t do something so despicable. At this point, if she’s not coming, it means she’s sincerely not interested,” Luo Shaoyan said, laughing.

“What are you talking about? Do you want to see Lin Yan lose face as well? Don’t worry, we’re just going to talk some sense into her. Even if she doesn’t want to, she should at least show up and make things clear,” Li Bo said.

“Fine, I’ll accompany you. But if you intend to use force, I won’t agree to it,” Luo Shaoyan stated.

“Rest assured, we’ll definitely invite her over. Lin Yan just wants to have a few words with her. If after that she still refuses, we’ll just consider it a family gathering for drinks, no big deal,” Li Bo continued.

Lou Shaoyan nodded. He set down his wine cup and said to Zhu Minglang, “You keep drinking. I’ll be right back.”

“Going to help them abduct a young woman from the people?” Zhu Minglang asked.

“I’m not that kind of person. I’m just worried Li Bo might do something like that, which is why I’m following. Brother, rest assured, even old grannies can’t stop praising my integrity!” Luo Shaoyan replied.

Zhu Minglang nodded.

Zhu Minglang was not too clear on the details and couldn’t tell whether the woman was just acting coy or was really uninterested and had been forcibly brought to this occasion.

…

He sat idly for quite a long time.

Zhu Minglang did not see the Great Instructor Lin Zhao.

It was strange to say, but despite such a major event for his son, his father did not seem to care as much. The Great Instructor Lin Zhao was nowhere to be seen throughout the banquet.

The sky had already darkened, and Zhu Minglang no longer waited; after inquiring, he learned that Master Lin was in the study at the back courtyard.

Zhu Minglang went to pay a visit, and it was clear that he was not the only one who wished to see Master Lin. Zhu Minglang then waited outside the other party’s study for quite a while.

Eventually, the butler made a gesture of invitation, indicating that Zhu Minglang could speak to Great Tutor Lin Zhao through the door. As to whether Great Tutor Lin Zhao would respond or be willing to open the door—that would depend on what Zhu Minglang had to say.

Among the more than one hundred guests, many were relatives of the Lin Family. As the Great Instructor of the Dragon Taming High Court, second only to the Vice President, Lin Zhao was a tutor to the faculty, with extremely high power and influence.

Many relatives and friends sought to use Great Tutor Lin Zhao’s connections to obtain positions, slots, or resources.

Of course, many were turned away.

“You’re looking to enter the Dragon Taming High Court, right? Connections are useless; the Great Instructor only values genuine talent and learning,” the butler said with a curl of his lip to Zhu Minglang.

Zhu Minglang stepped up the stairs, about to knock on the door, and couldn’t help but shake his head at the butler’s dismissive words.

It seemed many people wished to use connections to enter the Dragon Taming High Court, yet the spots were incredibly scarce.

“Great Instructor, do you remember Coral Island…” Zhu Minglang approached the door and spoke to the inside.

The butler almost laughed out loud.

Whoever came to see the Great Instructor in private would first respectfully offer words of praise, then announce their identity. Not understanding the basic etiquette and flattery, yet hoping to gain the Great Instructor’s recognition?

“Da da da!!!”

Urgent footsteps approached, and the tightly shut door of the study was suddenly thrown open. Great Tutor Lin Zhao appeared with a face full of surprise and delight, and even bowed as an equal, saying with extreme courtesy, “Your Excellency has truly come, to my humble home, my apologies for not greeting you from afar, my apologies indeed!”

“I was just enjoying the banquet while visiting Master Lin’s home,” Zhu Minglang said with a smile.

“Why do you have dew frost on your shoulders? Have you been waiting outside for a long time?” Master Lin asked.

“I waited for a while. There are quite a few people who seek a private audience with the Great Instructor,” Zhu Minglang replied.

“Butler!!” Master Lin’s face immediately darkened; standing in front of the door, he looked down at the butler on the steps below and said in a cold voice, “Didn’t I tell you that I was expecting an important guest soon? I gave you detailed instructions. How did you fail to recognize him?”

The butler was instantly drenched in sweat.

Upon looking carefully at Zhu Minglang, indeed, he matched closely with how Master Lin had described. But the man had not been wearing a scarf!

And, wasn’t this fellow here to seek influence and push his way into the High Court?

Your Excellency???

With the status and position that Master Lin held, who else would he address in such a respectful manner, especially such a young man?

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Zhu Minglang said.

“As a butler, you should perform your duties well. Failure to do so is negligence. Butler, go to the matron and accept your punishment,” Great Tutor Lin Zhao was not one to be lenient on such matters and dealt with it severely.

“Yes, yes, I will go receive my punishment right away,” replied the butler.

“Come in and take a seat. I was just brewing some tea. I had not expected Your Excellency to visit tonight. To speak the truth, I have also been seeking you these past few days, as there is an important matter I wish to discuss… Ah, what poor hospitality I have shown. My apologies, Your Excellency, please speak first. We still owe you a debt of gratitude,” Great Instructor Lin Zhao said.