After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

The old steward felt utterly desolate.

Is there even a question? He's just a servant. Even if he's worked for the Wen family for so many years, how much face does he have in front of the master?

He's their own son; even if the bones are broken, they're still connected. He's just an outsider. If he keeps complaining, it's uncertain who will be punished in the end.

But that thousand-year-old snow lotus was a treasure passed down through generations of the Wen family, and he was truly heartbroken that it was being chewed up like a snack.

He clutched his chest, tears welling in his eyes, "But... but young master, you can't just waste something like that... that's a family heirloom passed down for generations..."

Yu Linzhou raised an eyebrow and was about to say another sarcastic remark.

Lin Zhixu pinched his lower back expressionlessly and transmitted his voice: "Alright, don't go too far. If we attract the attention of the Wen family head, things will get messy."

Yu Linzhou hissed as he was pinched, and the words he was about to say were abruptly changed.

He pursed his lips, put on an impatient expression, and waved his hand at the old butler: "Alright, alright, I know. It's just a little bit of your food, why are you so upset? If you don't want it, you don't have to. I'll take the rest back with you, okay?"

The old steward, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, readily agreed and, as if afraid the steward would change his mind, quickly slipped out.

He decided not to come to this courtyard for the next few days under any circumstances. If he came again, his old bones might really die here.

As for the master, he dared not mention a single word.

Although what the young master just said was outrageous, it made sense. Even if we report it to the master, it's not certain who will end up suffering the consequences.

At his age, it's better to avoid trouble and prioritize his life.

No sooner had the old butler left than Yu Linzhou clicked his tongue in disgust, tossed the remaining half of the snow lotus cake back onto the plate, and commented, "It seems the Wen family doesn't have anything worth mentioning. They have this broken snow lotus, yet they dare to keep it hidden away like a family heirloom."

Lin Zhixu remained silent.

Broken Snow Lotus? That's a rare and precious material that's a thousand years old. Its age speaks for itself. If it were put in an auction house, it would fetch at least several million spirit stones. But in his mouth, it's just "rotten stuff."

But then I thought about it again, and any magic artifact in the storage bags that Yu Linzhou gave him was at least of Earth grade.

The Frost Lotus he had eaten was a rare treasure of heaven and earth, thousands of years old. Compared to those, the Wen family's thousand-year-old Snow Lotus was indeed somewhat inferior.

"You need to calm down from now on," Lin Zhixu said seriously. "You're impersonating Wen Wuqing, but you haven't changed your personality at all. Your behavior just now was completely different from Wen Wuqing's. Only those servants were fooled by you."

"If the Wen family head or Wen Wuqing's close friends were to see this, they would immediately notice something was wrong. Then all our efforts would have been for nothing."

"I know, I know," Yu Linzhou pouted, looking reluctant, "but making me play the hypocrite Wen Wuqing is really disgusting."

Lin Zhixu: "...Isn't this something you asked for?"

Yu Linzhou was heartbroken that his beloved student wouldn't comfort him, so he decided to change the subject.

He stood up, straightened his clothes, and said with great interest, "Forget it, there's nothing worth robbing from the Wen family's shabby possessions. Come on, I'll take you out for a walk."

"Nanling City is very lively. You rarely come down the mountain, so you can't stay in the Wen residence all day."

As he spoke, he reached out his hand to Lin Zhixu, smiling broadly.

Lin Zhixu looked at the smile on his face that resembled Wen Wuqing's, then at the hand, paused for a moment, and then reached out to touch it.

Anyway, we've already swindled most of the Wen family's things, so it's good to go out and have a stroll.

……

The two spent most of the day wandering around Nanling City, trying all the street food stalls, and visiting several markets where cultivators gathered to inquire about the auction.

Nanling City really went all out for this auction. Not only were all the inns in the city fully booked, but even the usually deserted West Market had temporary trading tents set up.

The independent cultivators were bartering inside, creating a lively atmosphere like a mini auction had been held in advance.

Yu Linzhou, bearing Wen Wuqing's face, was respectfully given way wherever he went, which showed that Wen Wuqing's prestige in Nanling was indeed considerable.

The two had finished their shopping and decided to head home.

At this moment, several young men and women dressed in fine clothes walked towards us.

One of the sharp-eyed young men in brocade robes spotted Yu Linzhou first and pointed at him with his fan: "Look, isn't that Wen Wuqing?"

"Wen Wuqing?" His companion followed his gaze, scrutinized him for a moment, and said uncertainly, "It's definitely him, but is Wen Wuqing usually this arrogant?"

"He's not usually so polite and well-mannered, why does he seem a bit... "

He couldn't find the right word for a moment, so someone next to him filled in the blank: "Deserves a beating."

The crowd burst into laughter.

The young man in brocade robes at the head of the group turned to the beautiful woman beside him who had remained silent and teased, "Liu Shuyan, I remember the Wen family seemed to be considering a marriage alliance with your Liu family, right?"

"Why don't you go check on your fiancé? I saw he was with another man, and their relationship seemed pretty close. You're not even married yet, and he's already trying to steal your man away."

Liu Shuyan glanced at him expressionlessly, her voice as cold as frost: "Where did you hear this rumor? Everyone in Nanling knows the Wen family wants to find someone for a marriage alliance. When did they specifically name the Liu family? Maybe it's your Gu family."

Gu Zhinan unfolded his fan and fanned himself twice, then said with a grin, "If the Wen family takes a liking to my Gu family, my Gu family will be honored."

Liu Shuyan withdrew her gaze, her tone now tinged with undisguised disdain: "You're so shameless, Gu Jia. If it were me, I wouldn't even look at that hypocrite Wen Wuqing."

"He's not qualified to form a marriage alliance with my Liu family. If the Wen family really has such intentions, they should give up now to avoid humiliating themselves."

The people around them started laughing again, but none of them spoke up for the Wen family.

Everyone knows that the power dynamics of the four great families of Nanling have long since changed.

The Wen family was indeed the most prominent of the four families back then, enjoying great success for many years. However, each generation has declined in quality, and even the wealthiest family cannot withstand a life of constant spending without any income.

In contrast, the Liu family has produced several outstanding members in this generation, and their momentum is strong, having long since left the Wen family behind.

If it weren't for the fact that the Wen family had a powerful patriarch from a major sect supporting them, they probably wouldn't even be able to hold onto their current position.

Wen Wuqing was somewhat famous among the younger generation in Nanling, but that fame paled in comparison to Liu Shuyan.

Let alone a marriage alliance, the Wen family would have to be mindful of the Liu family's attitude if they wanted to get married into the Liu family.

It would be more reasonable if the head of the Wen family wanted a marriage alliance.

The reason why their aristocratic circle ostracized Wen Wuqing was because he was too hypocritical.

We all grew up together, who doesn't know who?

They may be arrogant, spoiled, or arrogant, but at least they are honest and straightforward, unlike Wen Wuqing, who is two-faced and hypocritical.