Chapter 192 - 191: Julian Sinclair, Stanley Sinclair

Chapter 192: Chapter 191: Julian Sinclair, Stanley Sinclair

Old Master Sinclair’s gaze was full of scrutiny as he looked at Rian Sinclair. Knowing that silence wasn’t the best response right now, she spoke up. "I don’t know much about tea. I was just speaking off the cuff just now. I hope you don’t mind, Elder Sinclair."

Noel Sutton also chimed in to explain. "Elder Sinclair, my friend has probably been reading books on this subject lately and accidentally offended you. Please forgive her."

Although Noel didn’t know why Rian had spoken up like that—after all, when it came to etiquette, Rian Sinclair knew far more than he did—he still tried to cover for her.

Old Master Sinclair did not respond immediately. After a long while, he sighed. "You are just like my stubborn brother. In the past, he taught me that brewing tea is best done with six parts heat, but I’ve always used seven parts heat. It’s just become a habit."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the pavilion, and looked at the artificial rockery in the distance. "Whenever I brewed tea beside him, he always said exactly what you just said.

"I really miss those days."

Listening to the nostalgia in Old Master Sinclair’s words and watching his movements as he selected and brewed the tea, Rian Sinclair saw the shadow of the old man from her past. No longer suppressing the doubts in her heart, she looked at Old Master Sinclair’s back and asked the question on her mind.

"Elder Sinclair, what is your relationship with Julian Sinclair?"

Old Master Sinclair stared at Rian in shock, his voice trembling slightly. "You... you know Julian Sinclair?"

Although Rian didn’t understand the complex expression on the old man’s face, she nodded.

A sudden smile appeared on the old man’s face. Rian Sinclair frowned. "May I ask what your relationship with Julian Sinclair is, Elder Sinclair?"

Old Master Sinclair looked into the distance, his eyes overflowing with longing. "He is my older brother. My name is Stanley Sinclair, and his name is Julian Sinclair. It’s just a pity that he ran into some political trouble in the past and was banished to Basilia."

He described everything in a flat tone, but she could see his tightly clenched fists.

She had chatted with her master before. In his era, someone had likely gotten hold of some leverage against him, thus forcing him into exile. The Sinclair family of the past had also fallen into decline. Now, what remained in the public eye was The Garden of Antiquities, not the century-old Sinclair family.

Rian pressed her lips together. The old man’s identity was far from simple, but she had never pried because she could feel the sorrow lingering in his eyes. When he passed away, he had left some of his belongings to her without leaving a single word behind. Even now, Rian had never opened them. Since he hadn’t been willing to speak about it while he was alive, his passing didn’t mean he wanted it exposed now. Rian respected the old man’s wishes. After all, he was the master she had formally kowtowed to and apprenticed under.

She rubbed her temples and looked at Old Master Sinclair. There were indeed quite a few similarities between him and her master. It turned out that the old man was also connected to The Garden of Antiquities.

Old Master Sinclair’s eyes brightened a fraction, and his gaze was filled with hope as he looked at Rian. "Little girl, do you know where Julian Sinclair is right now? The situation was turbulent back then. He has been gone for over forty years, and we lost all traces of him."

Rian saw the hope on his face. She truly couldn’t bear to tell him the news that the old man had already passed away, but it was the truth nonetheless. Besides, if a large, prominent family truly wanted to find someone, would they really be unable to?

Rian pursed her lips in deep thought. "Elder Sinclair, the person you are looking for passed away many years ago."

Old Master Sinclair looked as though he had suffered a massive blow. His entire body swayed unsteadily.

The middle-aged man in the traditional tunic suit standing nearby quickly supported him. "Mr. Sinclair," he said, his voice hoarse but full of concern.

Old Master Sinclair waved his hand dismissively, a bleak smile appearing on his face. "Ah, it’s good that he passed. It’s good that he passed. That way, he won’t have to live in this world and suffer anymore."

Rian watched Old Master Sinclair in silence. She didn’t fully understand the meaning behind his words, but there were definitely some unresolved issues between the two of them. She felt no hostility toward Elder Sinclair simply because her master hadn’t harbored any hatred. He hadn’t hated his family. He hadn’t hated his relatives. He had only hated himself.

Old Master Sinclair leaned back in his chair and waved his hand. "Shade, see our guests out."

The middle-aged man in the tunic suit, addressed as Shade, gestured for Noel Sutton and Rian to leave. Noel looked at the antique in his hands, unsure whether to take it with him or put it down.

Old Master Sinclair’s voice rang out again. "Take it for now. Just have someone send the money over later."

Hearing this, Noel picked up the item and cupped his hands in a respectful salute to Old Master Sinclair. The old man, still leaning back in his chair, did not respond. Shade then ushered Noel out.

Rian silently followed beside Noel as they walked out of the courtyard. Just as the man in the tunic suit was about to close the door, Rian turned back. "Sir, could you take me to see Old Mr. Sinclair again?"

The man remained silent. After all, this wasn’t a decision he could make on his own. As he hesitated, he heard a light cough from the old man inside. Shade stepped aside and looked at Rian. "Miss, please."

Rian looked at Noel. "Go find Wyatt Winslow first. You don’t need to wait for me. I have some business to take care of here."

Although Noel wasn’t sure what was going on, seeing the serious expression on Rian’s face and recalling the conversation she just had with Old Mr. Sinclair, he nodded. "Rian, get in touch with me later."

Rian nodded, turned around, and walked back into the courtyard. After all, there were some things she needed to ask clearly. He was the teacher who had always guided her. He was not just a mentor; he was family.

This time, the man didn’t lead the way. Rian walked back to the pavilion on her own.

The man in the tunic suit was about to follow her in when he heard the old man’s voice. "Shade, wait outside for now. I want to have a chat with this young lady."

Shade’s expression remained unchanged as he gave a slight nod. "Understood, Mr. Sinclair."

She didn’t pause, stepping directly into the pavilion. Old Mr. Sinclair had now sat up straight. Looking at Rian Sinclair, he pointed to the empty seat in front of him. "Little girl, have a seat."

Rian took the seat. As she looked at the old man’s face, the resemblance grew stronger, perfectly aligning with her memory of the little old man who always kept a stern face every day.

Old Master Sinclair didn’t say anything at first. He simply pushed a cup of hot tea toward her. "Drink this and give me your evaluation, my young friend."

Rian picked up the teacup. A delicate fragrance drifted past her nose, soothing her mind and body. Just from this refreshing scent, she knew this pot of tea was Tieguanyin. She examined the tea liquor; the color was rich and pure. Bringing it to her lips, she took a gentle sip. The fresh fragrance lingered on her tongue.

"The flavor is robust, the liquor is pure, and the heat was controlled perfectly. It is an excellent pot of tea," she remarked.

Old Master Sinclair stared intently at Rian, as if looking at someone else’s shadow through her.

"He certainly taught a good apprentice who learned his tea-brewing skills very well," he said slowly.

"That man... he was incredibly proud his entire life.

"No one ever expected things to end up the way they did."

Rian did not reply. She placed the tea on the table and looked at Old Master Sinclair with a calm gaze.

Old Mr. Sinclair seemed completely oblivious to her gaze as he continued speaking to himself.