Although he said he didn't believe it, Huangfu Daoming knew it had to be true.
Jiangdong Prefecture Master, Lin Xiaotian, was present, so it couldn't be false.
"What? He... he is the Champion Marquis?" Shi Ya was dumbfounded. She never imagined that Lin Ying's fiancé would be the Champion Marquis!
Ever since the news about the Champion Marquis spread, Shi Ya had idolized him.
She had even fantasized about marrying the Champion Marquis and becoming his wife.
Han Yun and the others looked at Qin Hanchu in disbelief.
No wonder Qin Hanchu looked so embarrassed; it turned out he was the Champion Marquis.
At this moment, they were filled with jealousy towards Lin Ying.
Qin Hanchu was already a Marquis, and he would definitely be ennobled as a King in the future!
Although Qin Hanchu was Lin Ying's fiancé, as long as they weren't married, they still had a chance.
They shouldn't have left just now!
"Don't believe me?" Qin Hanchu smiled and placed the identification on the table. "Take a good look!"
"Kneel and apologize!" Old Man Haiyun glared at Huangfu Daoming.
Even though he knew Qin Hanchu was the Champion Marquis, Huangfu Daoming still refused to apologize.
He had been so arrogant in front of Qin Hanchu earlier; kneeling now would mean giving up his dignity.
At this time, all the influential figures in Jiangdong were gathered. Kneeling here would be a complete loss of face.
After today, he would even become a laughingstock in Jiangdong's upper circles.
"If you don't want to apologize, then forget it. There's no need to force yourself."
"I'm still waiting for you to kill me!"
Since the Huangfu family had provoked him, Qin Hanchu naturally wouldn't reconcile so easily.
Did Huangfu Daoming think an apology would settle things?
He wished!
"The Champion Marquis is exaggerating. It was just a verbal dispute."
"How would Daoming dare to lay a hand on you?" Old Ancestor Haiyun said in a deep voice.
Qin Hanchu smiled, "Let him leave. Today is Elder Lin's birthday banquet, so let's not make it so tense."
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Daoming actually turned and left.
In Huangfu Daoming's heart, Qin Hanchu was just a Marquis without real power.
His Huangfu family was protected by a Grandmaster, and many families were united with them.
So what if Qin Hanchu was the Champion Marquis?
Did Qin Hanchu dare to kill him?
Old Ancestor Haiyun did not stop Huangfu Daoming from leaving, as he shared similar thoughts.
The feud between Qin Hanchu and the Huangfu family had already begun. Even if Huangfu Daoming apologized, Qin Hanchu would not have a good impression of the Huangfu family.
At worst, they could just stay out of each other's way. If Qin Hanchu pushed him too far, Old Ancestor Haiyun wouldn't mind seeing Qin Hanchu meet an untimely end.
Old Ancestor Haiyun knew that the enemy country wanted Qin Hanchu dead. As long as he acted cleanly, no one would suspect him.
"Let's eat first. We'll discuss other matters after the banquet," Lin Xiaotian said with a smile.
The banquet then officially began.
During the banquet, Qin Hanchu naturally became the center of attention.
Shi Ya and the others were sitting with Lin Ying.
"Xiao Ying, you kept us in the dark for so long."
"That's right! Why didn't you tell us earlier that he was the Champion Marquis?"
"You must be afraid we'd steal your fiancé."
"Tell us, how did you two meet? You're already engaged so quickly!"
Lin Ying said shyly, "Our engagement was arranged by our elders years ago. He has several more engagements like mine, so even with an engagement, it's not certain whether we'll end up together."
"What's not certain about it? Your relationship is so good now; you'll be together sooner or later." Lin Ying's answer made Xin Xin anxious.
These women were clearly interested in Qin Hanchu.
Lin Ying saying that was like encouraging these women to compete with her.
Indeed, upon hearing Lin Ying's answer, a glint flashed in the eyes of Shi Ya and the others.
Lin Ying hadn't secured Qin Hanchu yet, so they still had a chance.
Although they were a few years older than Qin Hanchu, the saying "a woman pursuing a man is like cutting through a veil" applied.
As long as they played their cards right, they weren't afraid Qin Hanchu wouldn't be moved.
For a moment, the women were all plotting their own schemes.
It was only then that Lin Ying realized she had said the wrong thing.
While Shi Ya and the others might not match Lin Ying in beauty, they were all beautiful women.
What if Qin Hanchu hit it off with one of them?
"Let's have dinner together tonight."
"Yes, we haven't had a meal together in so long."
"Let's also invite the Champion Marquis. We should also do our part as hosts."
"Xiao Ying, you won't refuse us, will you?"
The women chattered incessantly, completely overwhelming Lin Ying.
Xin Xin shook her head helplessly. Lin Ying, usually so spirited, became clueless when it came to matters of the heart.
An hour later, Qin Hanchu was getting restless.
He subtly signaled Lin Ying from afar and then made his escape under the guise of needing to use the restroom.
"What? Dinner with them?" As soon as he left the hotel, Lin Ying informed Qin Hanchu that she was supposed to have dinner with Shi Ya and the others tonight.
Lin Ying said awkwardly, "My mind went blank for a moment, and I agreed."
"It's fine, just say you have something and can't make it," Xin Xin suggested.
Qin Hanchu nodded, "I think that's a good idea."
"It doesn't seem right," Lin Ying said hesitantly.
"We thought you had left. We were about to go," Shi Ya and the others hurried over.
"We can't leave now," Xin Xin said helplessly.
Qin Hanchu was also annoyed. He really didn't want to have dinner with these women.
Lin Ying smiled awkwardly, "It's your fault for revealing your identity. It has nothing to do with me."
"Champion Marquis, why did you lie to us earlier? Were you afraid we'd eat you up?"
"Exactly! You're the Champion Marquis yourself, yet you said you were just classmates with him."
"You have to treat us tonight."
"The Champion Marquis is the guest, after all. How can we let a guest pay?" Shi Ya said.
Qin Hanchu smiled, "It doesn't matter who pays."
"Let's go now. We can go for afternoon tea first," Han Yun suggested.
"Old Ancestor Haiyun is coming out," Xin Xin said, looking towards the hotel entrance.
"I'm going to talk to him."
Since Old Ancestor Haiyun intended to make a move against the Situ family, Qin Hanchu had to put him in his place.
The matter with Huangfu Daoming provided a good excuse.
Seeing Qin Hanchu approach, Old Ancestor Haiyun's expression grew even more somber.
He knew very well that Qin Hanchu was here with ill intentions.
"What else can I do for you, Marquis?" Old Ancestor Haiyun asked with a grim face.
Qin Hanchu's gaze fell on Huangfu Daoming. "My conflict with this young master is not yet resolved?"
"I apologize to you on his behalf," Old Ancestor Haiyun said.
"Since you want to apologize on his behalf, then kneel," Qin Hanchu said with a disdainful smile.
Hearing this, Old Ancestor Haiyun's anger boiled over. "What did you say?"
"Champion Marquis, don't push it too far! My ancestor is a Grandmaster expert. You dare to make him kneel!" Huangfu Daoming roared.
"Even though you are the Champion Marquis, our Huangfu family is not a pushover," a woman beside Huangfu Daoming said angrily.
The anger of the three made Qin Hanchu's smile widen.
Shi Ya and the others, watching from a distance, were terrified.
Qin Hanchu was too arrogant.
Making a Grandmaster kneel?
Even the current Emperor treated Grandmasters with respect.
Wasn't Qin Hanchu afraid of provoking Old Ancestor Haiyun?