Chapter 3992 — Given in Private
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Chong'er, you did well today. When the Xu family is handed into your keeping in the future, your grandfather will be able to set his mind a little more at ease." Amid the presentation of gifts, Xu Yuanzheng deliberately rose and walked to one side, nodding approvingly at his own legitimate grandson.
In his eyes, Xu Lingchong's little machinations were still rather green, but so long as the boy possessed such awareness, he was not too far from being able to shoulder the Xu family's future.
"Thank you for your praise, Grandfather. Your grandson will redouble his efforts and safeguard the future of our Xu family." Xu Lingchong was instantly elated by the praise.
Taking over the Xu family—that had been his long-cherished wish all along. To win his grandfather Xu Yuanzheng's approval today proved that he had taken another great stride toward that goal.
Xu Yuanzheng chuckled with the contentment of old age and offered his guidance: "Still, Chong'er, you must keep one thing firmly in mind—schemes and calculations are but minor arts. To grasp great matters, seizing hold of the key person is the true way; otherwise, all your efforts will be in vain."
With that, the old man pursed his lips and gestured into the distance, toward Shangguan Lan'er, who was at that moment nestled intimately at Shangguan Tianxia's side.
Xu Lingchong nodded in understanding and clenched his fist with profound meaning: "Grandfather, rest assured. She will never escape your grandson's grasp—never!"
"If you have such confidence, so much the better. Do not disappoint your grandfather." Xu Yuanzheng patted his shoulder and turned back to the seat of honor.
Xu Lingchong drew a long, deep breath. When he looked again toward Shangguan Lan'er in the distance, his gaze held a shade of cold, grim ruthlessness that others could scarcely detect.
If, before today, Shangguan Lan'er had held a place in his heart akin to a heavenly being, then after what had just happened, that heavenly being had swiftly been demoted to a wanton woman whom any man might have—and if one were dealing merely with such a wanton, there was naturally no need for excessive courtesy.
By now, the gift presentation was drawing to a close. Beside him, Kang Jingming spoke with eager anticipation: "Young Master Xu, may I bring out my gift now?"
Xu Lingchong gave a slight nod. This was a plan he and Kang Jingming had agreed upon beforehand, and he stepped forward in person to make the introduction: "Elders, relatives, and friends all—the next to present a birthday gift to Junior Sister Lan'er is a new steward from our Yingxin Pavilion, Kang Jingming!"
With the eyes of every grandee in the hall fixed upon him, Kang Jingming hastily straightened his back and, feigning composure, slowly opened the wooden box in his hands, within which a pill had been carefully laid out.
The crowd could not help but murmur among themselves. That a newcomer from Yingxin Pavilion should appear here was itself no small piece of news—and all the more so since this newcomer had produced a rather fine gift: a top-grade Foundation Establishment Golden Pill!
"Upon learning that he had the honor of attending Junior Sister Lan'er's birthday banquet, this Junior Brother Kang, under my own assistance and supervision, spent ten days and ten nights before finally refining this top-grade Foundation Establishment Golden Pill with his own hands, as his birthday gift to Junior Sister Lan'er," Xu Lingchong said smoothly, personally lending Kang Jingming prestige.
At these words, the way the crowd looked at Kang Jingming grew markedly more respectful.
A mere newcomer of Yingxin Pavilion would naturally never have caught their discerning eyes—but if this newcomer were an alchemist, and one able to refine a top-grade Foundation Establishment Golden Pill with his own hands, then his value was immense indeed!