Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 344 - 108: Zhao Canghe: Lord Jiang, Do You Want to Pay Respects to the Ancestors? (2)
"I wouldn’t have known, is Junior Brother Jiang also from Linhu Village?"
Liu Ru had an expression of surprise on his face. He didn’t really know that Junior Brother Jiang was also from Linhu Village. He only mentioned in a letter back to the Martial Arts Academy that Junior Brother Jiang’s daughter seemed to have an unusual relationship with Lin Chen.
If he had known Junior Brother Jiang was from Linhu Village, he would have asked him to come along to Linhu Village much earlier.
"Thank you for your efforts, since Jiang Duanchao is here, let’s go meet him."
Jia Nanzhu didn’t mind the small gestures by the Canglan Martial Arts Academy to play the emotional card. If he were in Canglan Martial Arts Academy, he would do the same, leveraging all connections that could influence Lin Chen’s decision. This precisely showed how much Canglan Martial Arts Academy valued Lin Chen.
"Old Village Chief, the two of us will accompany you."
With Jiang Duanchao’s return, Zhao Canghe felt a bit uneasy. He was probably the most aware in the village of Jiang Duanchao’s feelings toward the village. Back then, he played a hand that forced Jiang Duanchao to be used for Linhu Village’s benefit, and now he was somewhat apprehensive about meeting Jiang Duanchao.
Hearing Jia Nanzhu speak, his heart finally settled down.
Jiang Duanchao’s return was definitely not to cause trouble; it was because of Lin Chen. In that case, there was nothing to fear, especially with these two esteemed gentlemen present.
"Go and notify Lin Chen."
...
...
A quarter of an hour later, Linhu Village was bustling with excitement.
Lord Jiang has returned to the village!
This news spread throughout Linhu Village in no time. Upon hearing the news, all the villagers immediately ran to the open space in front of the ancestral hall.
In the hearts of Linhu Village’s villagers, although Lin Chen was very accomplished, the first and foremost successful person was still Lord Jiang.
Perhaps in the future, Lin Chen could catch up with Lord Jiang, but for now, in the villagers’ minds, Lord Jiang’s status remained irreplaceable.
Lin Family.
Mrs. Lin was washing fishing nets. The Lin Family might not lack the small income from fishing, but Father Lin was used to fishing. Doing nothing and resting was too unbearable for him. Father Lin and Lin Liang still went fishing in the lake every day, though most of the catch was given to the village youngsters to make fish soup to strengthen their bodies.
"Sister-in-law, Lord Jiang has returned. Everyone in the village has gone to the village entrance to welcome him."
The second aunt hurriedly entered the Lin family’s door and shouted to Mrs. Lin.
"Lord Jiang?"
Mrs. Lin needed a few moments to recollect who Lord Jiang was before quickly putting down the fishing nets: "Lord Jiang has returned, so I should also go and welcome him."
When Mrs. Lin married into Linhu Village, Lord Jiang was already studying martial arts abroad, so she had never met this Lord Jiang. But in Mrs. Lin’s heart, Lord Jiang was also a benefactor of the Lin family.
Without Lord Jiang allowing Linhu Village’s young men to enter the Martial Arts Hall for free, Chen’Er wouldn’t have had the money to go to the Martial Arts Hall, and the Lin family wouldn’t be enjoying the good life they have now.
When Mrs. Lin and the second aunt arrived at the open space at the village entrance, the entire Linhu Village was already layered with villagers, but these villagers were courteous enough to make way for Mrs. Lin.
"That must be Lord Jiang, truly impressive."
Mrs. Lin couldn’t think of any adjectives but just felt that this Lord Jiang had a commanding presence, more so than any official she had ever seen.
Because of her son’s reason, she had met quite a few important officials, including the County Magistrate and the Prefect, who didn’t quite compare to Lord Jiang.
"That little girl is truly beautiful."
The second aunt’s gaze fell on a young girl standing behind Jiang Duanchao. Mrs. Lin followed her gaze and couldn’t help but nod: "She must be Lord Jiang’s daughter. Truly beautiful."
This temperament, this appearance... not comparable to the girls in the village... nor to those ladies from wealthy families in town.
Seeing the villagers surrounding him with enthusiasm, Jiang Duanchao felt a bit guilty. He didn’t have a good impression of Linhu Village. Giving Linhu Village benefits was because Zhao Canghe had tricked him, but he didn’t expect the villagers to be so grateful to him.
He felt undeserving.
This made his impression of Zhao Canghe improve a little. This old fellow, even though he had tricked him, had set up a good image for him in front of the villagers.
Zhao Canghe, too, could sense that the sharpness in Jiang Duanchao’s gaze toward him had lessened, letting him breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had left a good impression of Jiang Duanchao in the eyes of the villagers back then.
When he spotted Mrs. Lin standing in the crowd through the corner of his eye, he immediately introduced her to Jiang Duanchao: "Lord Jiang, let me introduce you to Lin Chen’s mother."
Jiang Duanchao followed Zhao Canghe’s gaze and saw Mrs. Lin. His expression remained unchanged – an ordinary village woman’s appearance, nothing special, yet who could have raised a young genius like Lin Chen.
But what Jiang Duanchao didn’t expect was that after Zhao Canghe introduced Mrs. Lin’s identity, his precious daughter took the initiative to walk over to her.
"You... you are Junior Brother Lin’s mother, right?"
"I... I am."
Mrs. Lin didn’t expect the Jiang family’s daughter, who looked as beautiful as a fairy, would take the initiative to come over and speak with her.
"I often hear Junior Brother Lin say how well his mother treats him, making all sorts of delicious food for him that made me want to try them too."
Jiang Qing smiled brightly; her dimples showing, revealing her pearly white teeth, almost making Mrs. Lin stare in awe.
Such a lovely girl, if only she could be my daughter-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, Miss Jiang is talking about Lin Chen."
The second aunt saw Mrs. Lin in a daze and quickly nudged her side. Mrs. Lin snapped out of it and hastily asked, "Miss Jiang, are you familiar with Chen’Er?"
"Yes, Lin Chen and I both came from Jingshui Martial Arts Hall. Auntie, you can just call me Qing or Qing’Er."
"T-That wouldn’t be proper, you are the Jiang family’s daughter..."
"There’s nothing improper about it. Lin Chen and I are like siblings, and you’re considered an elder, so calling me by name is very normal."
Mrs. Lin hesitated, "Then I’ll call you Qing."
Calling her Qing’Er felt too intimate. Mrs. Lin knew this was what her family elders would call her, and it didn’t seem appropriate for her.
"Either is fine, as long as Auntie is happy."
Jiang Qing smiled sweetly, ready to continue speaking, but Jiang Duanchao on the side felt a bit jealous. His precious daughter never smiled at him like that but was smiling so sweetly at outsiders.
"Qing’Er, let me introduce you to some of the village seniors."
"Auntie, I’ll come back later."
Hearing her father’s words, Jiang Qing bid farewell to Mrs. Lin before gracefully turning back.
"Sister-in-law, this Miss Jiang and Lin Chen must not have an ordinary relationship."
After Jiang Qing turned away, the second aunt whispered softly to Mrs. Lin.
"Miss Jiang said she’s like a sister to Lin Chen."
"How could it be just that simple?" The second aunt didn’t believe it. Her sister-in-law might be unaware, but she had seen it clearly from the side. Miss Jiang’s attitude towards her sister-in-law was not like it was to any other elder.
If they were just ordinary martial siblings, would such an attitude be necessary?
Moreover, if they were just ordinary martial siblings, knowing Chen’Er’s personality, would he have mentioned his mother?
"Everyone, don’t gather here, disperse for now. There will be a feast later in the village to host Lord Jiang, and make sure everyone comes."
Zhao Canghe looked at the many villagers gathered and thought it wasn’t proper to keep them here, so he dismissed the crowd before asking Jiang Duanchao, "Lord Jiang, since you’re back, you’re likely to perform ancestral worship, right? The village’s ancestral hall has been renovated. It’s very convenient for ancestral worship now."
Ancestral worship?
Jiang Duanchao cast a sideways glance at Zhao Canghe. My Jiang family’s ancestral tablets have already been taken from the ancestral hall. Whose ancestors are left to worship?
Yet, seeing the hopeful eyes of the villagers, Jiang Duanchao couldn’t bring himself to refuse: "Let the village chief arrange it."
Hearing Jiang Duanchao’s agreement, Zhao Canghe’s old face bloomed with a smile. With Lord Jiang’s participation in ancestral worship, the price of the ancestral tablets in the hall should rise. In the future, it should be two hundred taels per tablet.
PS: Didn’t reach ten thousand words today; time is running short. Three Chapters tomorrow, one Chapter will be updated around two in the morning.
